The "From Fireplaces to Cupcakes" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Walking around the interior of the  Lancaster County Convention Center in downtown Lancaster.  Reason why Carol and are attending the Suburban Pennsylvanian Spring Hone Show is to look for an electric insert for the small fireplace in our bedroom.  When we first moved into our "Beach House" in the mid-90s we loved using the fireplace in the bedroom.  

Had a basket with firewood stationed next to the fireplace which we would burn when we went to bed.  Only problem came when the dog and cats took an interest in the fireplace and if we fell asleep with the fire burning, we feared the animals might cause a fire.  So, we are looking for a less dangerous alternative that we can, remotely, turn off without getting out of bed.  The show has displays of just about anything related to the home from appliances to home construction to roofing to landscaping to cupcakes.  Yep, Lancaster Cupcake company had a large display with plenty of samples.  Didn't find anything that would help us, except the cupcakes, so we wandered around the Lancaster Mariott Hotel which connects to the Convention Center.  

Lobby area of the Lancaster Mariott.

Beautiful building that has kept the historical facade of the Watt & Shand Department Store as their hotel front.  As we entered from the parking garage we walked through a long hall of the Mariott that displayed photos of the building when it was Watt & Shand.  Watt & Shand was designed by Lancaster native and

The Montgomery House can be seen
as part of the lobby of the Mariott.

well-known architect C. Emlen Urban in 1898.    Looking skyward from the lower level of the Mariott gives open multi-level views of the old department store.  But, the most interesting view from the lower level is the exposure of the outside of the Montgomery House which is part of the interior of the hotel.  Really a neat feature that displays the house that was built in 1804 for prominent Lancaster attorney William Montgomery.  It was designed by Harrisburg architect Stephen Hills and contains a rare oval room on the first floor of the Early Federal Period home that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.  That's the reason why the rear of the house is inside the Mariott.  When the Lancaster Convention Center and the Mariott were constructed in the late 2000s, the house was preserved externally and became an added feature in the Mariott's main lobby.  

One of the many blueprints displayed in the hall as you enter
the hotel from the parking garage.  This view of the exterior
of the Watt & Shand building was drawn by C. Emlen Urban.

The interior of the house is being restored to it's original state and then will be opened to the public for viewing as well as being used by the hotel for meetings.  The combination of hotel, with the original exterior facade of the old Watt & Shand, and the convention center are beautiful, both outside and inside, but the inclusion of the Montgomery House into the construction makes for a remarkable addition to the center of the city of Lancaster.  Saving our historical past is necessary for future generations to learn how Lancaster was established and how they played a prominent part in the development of our country.  Great job!  Bravo!!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.