Return to a Simpler Time... to a Bed & Breakfast that combines the right levels of History, Comfort, and Hospitality.
Return to a Simpler Time...with the modern conveniences that makes them a point of difference at the Westby House Victorian Inn property. Such as whirlpool suites with fireplaces in the Guest House, private baths in each suite/room, queen and kings beds, cable television, morning coffee, complimentary Wireless Internet, cotton linens and towels, in-room VCR with movie library, full gourmet breakfast, business travel friendly, and a Travel Green Wisconsin Property with a housekeeping department that is sensitive to 'Green' cleaning.
Relax on the front porch, curl up next to the fire, enjoy high tea, or browse through the inn's lovely gift shop. The inn also features "The Wine Rack" available for guest purchases. Pre-order your wine and it will be in your room upon your arrival. View our Wine Selections.
Inn Gift Shop...Looking for a gift that will please? You will find the perfect greeting for gift-giving right here in our Gift Boutique. Need a gift for the babysitter, or the person who is watching the house or Grandma or Grandpa for watching the kids while you are away at the Westby House? You may find just what you are looking for that upcoming family or friend's birthday. Of course, a Westby House logo coffee mug, as a memento of your stay may be the perfect time to start or add to your collection.
You will find a selection of unique gift lines from greeting cards to muffin mixes in our little boutique. Most of our gift lines are USA family owned and operated businesses. As a thank you for staying with us, present the in-room 10% discount card on your gift purchases during your stay. (Westby House logo items, tea cards, tea, and food items not included in discount).
Featured Gift Lines: Kimberly Shaw Tea Greeting Cards, Blenko Glass, ZINNIA brand scented candles, Nutura bath & body products, Fine China teapots & teacups, Wine accessories, Victorian House Scone Mixes, "Eat Your Peas" Inspirational Books, Bunzlauer Polish Stoneware, Westby House Logo Food Products of Breads & Muffin Mixes, Jams & Jellies. We also have Westby House Logo Items by Deneen Pottery including coffee mugs, water pitchers and wine coolers.
Inn History...The Westby House has a long history, beginning with the original 2 story 8-room house built by Westby's first pharmacist, Erling Ramsland, who immigrated from Stavanger, Norway, and his wife Regina in 1886. In 1891, Mr. Ramsland died from heart complications at a very young age, leaving his wife and two small children struggling with the house and pharmacy. In 1892, the pharmacy was sold to O.E Unseth and the house to Martin H. Bekkedal.
Mr. Bekkedal, who emigrated from Norway at age 21, was a keen entrepreneur, married Amanda Anderson in 1890. With Mr. Bekkedals' adventures in the lumber, banking and tobacco business be became one of Wisconsin's first millionaires by the early 1920's. Because of his wealth and the growing family of eight children, the original structure saw three major vernacular architectural expansions to reflect the grandeur it is today.
The great depression depleted the Bekkedal fortune, and in 1932 Amanda Bekkedal died. Over the years the house was occupied by various Bekkedal children and their families. In 1946 the house was sold to Art Mockrud. From 1948-1973 boarders occupied the second floor rooms. Occupants were known to be teachers, barbers, chauffeurs, and housekeepers. Upon the death of Art in 1971 ownership of the house was willed to his brother Paul. Paul lived in the house with his family for a few years, then moved as the house was of costly upkeep and needed many repairs. For the next decade the house was mostly unoccupied due to poor living conditions. In 1983 the house was purchased by Patricia Benjamin Smith to be renovated into an Inn and Restaurant. Smith opened for business in 1984 and operated until 1997 when she sold to Glenn and Rose Wegner who owned the Inn for a short time before selling to the current owners Mike and Marie Cimino who have been the owners and innkeepers since 1998.
