Van Gorder Manor sits within the old Willoughby House, which is a big three-story sandstone building with a lot of its original features still showing, like quarter-sawn oak and maple floors, glass and brass door handles, and old gas-lamp lights that were turned electric, and when you walk through you see big oak and maple trees outside and the inside still has heavy doors, fireplaces, and even leaded glass windows that've been fixed up, and you see how they've tried to keep things looking as they did back in 1902. The manor has ten different suites in the main house for people to stay overnight, and they're all a bit different, some more modern and some sticking closer to the old style, and there's also a carriage house being fixed up to have three more two-bedroom apartments for people who want longer stays or more space. The whole estate covers four wooded acres, so there are gardens, walking paths, and a nice spot for sitting out or strolling if you like the outdoors, and really, you see the effort to keep the old trees and land healthy around the buildings.
For meals, Van Gorder Manor has a restaurant right inside called Julia's 1902, where the executive chef José Coronado works with farmers and local makers to serve food with flavors from all over the world but using what's fresh nearby, and whether folks are there for a daily meal, a family visit, or a bigger event like a small wedding or celebration, you can see diners using rooms once meant for other things-a dining room now turned into a chef's table, or a nook where the prix fixe menu gets served. Residents and guests get three meals each day, and the kitchen staff handle needs like food allergies or special diets, trying to make sure everyone's comfortable and well-fed, and there's also meal service throughout the day if someone gets hungry at odd hours, plus the dining rooms with all-day options keep things flexible.
People who live here or just come for a stay have access to a good list of services: there's help with things like bathing, dressing, taking medicine, transfers if needed, plus laundry, dry cleaning, housekeeping, and move-in coordination if someone's new. Nobody's supposed to smoke inside, and there's a 24-hour call system in case anyone needs help at any time of the day or night, with staff always around for supervision or help. For folks who need more care, Van Gorder Manor offers assisted living, memory care for those with dementia or Alzheimer's, nursing options, and it can provide hospice care and support for non-ambulatory or diabetic needs, and if someone just wants company or help around the house, the home care aides come in for companionship and daily living help.
The manor keeps things active with daily events, activities on site, and even some events run by residents themselves, like movie nights or arts and crafts in a dedicated art room, and you'll find people reading in the library or gathering in indoor common areas. They have a barber and salon on the grounds, transportation for getting to appointments or going out, and the place is pet-friendly, so residents can keep their animals with them. For emergencies, each room comes with a phone and an alert system for safety, and for prayer or reflection, devotional services are held on site and sometimes offsite too.
The building itself is big, about 21,000 square feet with 34 rooms, 13 bathrooms, eight fireplaces, and original millwork, and there's been a lot of work to put in new electrical, plumbing, and heat or air systems so the old charm meets new comforts. Down in the basement, you'll find all the behind-the-scenes equipment that keeps things running, and there's talk of a wine cellar and even a root cellar outside, though those are under consideration.
The manor's got room for 25 residents at a time, so compared to some places, it stays quiet, and staff can focus on each person a little bit more, and while part of the mansion is set up as an inn with furnished rooms and suites, another part is still being redone for restaurants and events, with a plan to hold onto the style and history of the place. Over the years, Willoughby House served different roles-a school infirmary, faculty housing, apartments-so it's seen a lot of changes, and now it's settling into this new use for both living and social gatherings. The manor also features a wide selection of fresh flowers and arrangements, plus online ordering and hand delivery, which makes it easy to mark occasions or brighten up a room for someone special. Overall, Van Gorder Manor offers a range of senior living choices like independent and assisted living, memory care, and hospice, and it does so in a setting with historic charm and a steady, caring approach to daily life.
