Rare opportunity to own a turnkey business on the popular Eastern Shore

Built in 1710, nearly eighty years before George Washington became president, this magnificent, waterfront property, has operated as a full-service inn since 1800. The calm and splendor of the Robert Morris Inn and the Eastern Shore provides a lovely year-round escape and culinary delights for its many visitors from Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and beyond.

Located at 314 N. Morris Street, in Oxford, the Robert Morris Inn is listed for $3.595 million. It is presented by Gary Marquardt in the Easton/St. Michaels Road office of Long & Foster Real Estate, an exclusive member of Forbes Global Properties.

“This is a fabulous opportunity to own a slice of history and a profitable business at the same time,” said Marquardt. “Full of Eastern Shore charm, with close proximity to major cities, the property is ideal as an established business that can be expanded along the waterfront.”

With fourteen guestrooms in the main inn and two delightful waterfront guestrooms, in adjacent Bottle Cottage, this over 12,000 square-foot property, once known as River View House, overlooks the Tred Avon River and is the oldest full-service inn in America. The village of Oxford was once Maryland’s largest port and is still an important center for boat building, yachting and is a protected harbor for harvesting oysters, crabs, clams and fish.

Oxford, once named Williamstadt under the reign of Dutch King William III of England, drew merchants from London, Liverpool and Bristol, who established stores there to trade merchandise. Oxford was recognized as port to the largest number of ships, transporting cargo such as tobacco, hides, salt port, wheat and lumber.

One of these prominent merchants, Robert Morris, arrived in Oxford in 1738. Morris acquired a fortune as chief factor for Foster Cunliffe & Sons, a large Liverpool, England trading house.  His son became one of our country’s founding fathers and the financier of the American Revolution. A part of Morris’ residence is incorporated in the Robert Morris Inn. 

Entering the inn from the main street is like stepping back 300 years in time. A pristine, yet historic interior welcomes guests with timber beams, wood-paneled walls and open fireplaces. On the first floor, you’ll find the formal dining room, Tavern and the Tap Room, in all seating up to 170 customers. The impressive murals in the dining room are 140 years old, made from wallpaper samples used by manufacturer’s salesmen. The Tavern offers a more modern addition featuring historic red brick walls and old slate floors with magnificent fireplaces. In warm weather, guests can dine al fresco in the picturesque courtyard terrace or on the veranda with water views.

The inn has been enlarged several times since its first use as a private home. The staircase, leading to the guest rooms was built prior to 1710 and is enclosed – typical of the Elizabethan period. The upper hall flooring is Georgia white pine. The nails were handmade, and the 14-inch square beams and pilasters were fastened with hand-hewn oak pegs. Four of the guest rooms have hand-made wall paneling and fireplaces built of brick made in England and used as ballast to stabilize empty sailing ships arriving to trade.

The Robert Morris Inn presents a unique opportunity for a buyer in search of a turn-key business in a popular and affluent area. An architect’s rendering conveys with the property – expanding the inn along the popular Strand waterfront, which would add more than 18 guest rooms and retail space.   

The inn is being sold fully furnished and doubles as an event and wedding venue. Also included with the sale is the guest list and management system.

Learn more about the Robert Morris Inn by clicking here, or by contacting Marquardt at 410-820-7707. For more information about Long & Foster, visit LongandFoster.com.