On Monday, May 16th, 1791, President George Washington lodged at the inn of Stephen Calfrey Pearce, 200 yards away. Forewarned of his arrival, the Pearce family made lavish preparations for the entertainment of Washington and his party. Mrs. Pearce was famous for her cooking, and Mr. Pearce for his storytelling. Washington greatly enjoyed both and warmly praised the hospitality of the innkeepers, who accepted no payment from the President of the United States.