Benn Conger Inn has new owners

What would entice Christine (Clare) Brennan and her husband, Edward Brennan, who live in the historic Rokeby Farm home in Virginia, to purchase the Benn Conger Inn and surrounding property on Dog Hill in Groton?

The answer to that question is quite simple — Christine spent the first 17 years of her life living in the home at 206 W. Cortland St. when it was merely a residence, and when she found out it was for sale, she involved her entire family in the purchasing decision.

“It was always a magical place for me,” Christine said. “And my family has a lot of history here.”

In 1949, Christine’s parents, Robert (Bob) and Margaret Ann Clare, moved to Genoa, New York, when Margaret took a teaching position there, but they also purchased Don’s Restaurant in Groton, which is known today as Farrell’s.

Bob and Margaret, along with Christine’s grandparents, Carmela and Joseph Ardito, ran Don’s Restaurant for many years, and in 1952, they purchased the Benn Conger home, in which all four — in addition to Christine and her siblings, Pete, Lori and Joe — lived together for the next 50 years. The children came and went as their lives unfolded.

As many in Groton are aware, the Clares’ home was not just any residence. It was originally built in 1920 by Benn Conger, who was president of the Standard Typewriter Company, which was renamed Corona Typewriter Company in 1914 and merged after his death to form Smith Corona. He was also president of the Groton Mechanics’ Bank and a New York state senator. Conger lived only a few months in the home before his death in 1921.

“I was literally born and raised in that house,” Christine said. “I was a real tomboy and spent a lot of time in the barn out back. We had horses and ponies, and I loved riding them up and down Dog Hill.”

Christine reminisced about many of her fond memories, including playing hopscotch in front of the house and turning what was once an outdoor dollhouse into a fort with her brother, Pete.

“My mother made us all take ballroom dancing lessons on the top floor of the Dempsey Building, which we were not so fond of, but we loved to go to the Saturday night movies above the fire hall,” Christine said.

The entire Clare and Ardito family was active and well-known in Groton in those days. Margaret taught in Groton schools and was also instrumental in getting the municipal pool built at Sykes Park, and Christine was a lifeguard in the summers.

Christine graduated from Groton High School in 1970 and went on to earn her bachelor’s in business from the University of Maryland in 1974. She settled in Virginia and worked as a human resources executive until she retired in 2018.

With a shared love of antiques, historical houses and travel bringing them together, Christine and Edward met in 1979 and were married in 1989. Edward was the CEO of an engineering services company and also served in Korea and Vietnam from 1953 to 1969 as a first lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps.

“My brother Pete and his wife, Sherry, own Turkey Trot Acres in Candor,” Christine said. “And we have our family reunion there every July. Their son, my nephew Drew, and his wife, Emily, and I got chatting this past July about the Benn Conger being for sale. Before long, we had a plan, called the realtor, and I bought the inn and the house next door.”

Drew and Emily currently live in Moravia. Emily owns Sister Silos Flower Farm, and Drew was the general manager for two hotels in Syracuse.

“The labor shortage was making things really difficult for Drew,” Christine said. “We decided as a family that Drew will be the vice president and general manager of The Benn Conger.”

With 18 acres of property, Christine has a great deal of vision for what’s next. They have already begun utilizing the house next door as a bed and breakfast, with Bun Appetit Bakery providing the continental breakfast.

“Eventually, The Benn Conger [TBC] will be a venue for weddings, corporate retreats, family reunions or any sort of party and also an inn,” Christine said. “But there is a lot of renovation to be completed first.”

When asked whether TBC will be a restaurant again, Christine said that in time, they may open it as such two or three nights a week.

“Right now, we’re really focusing on the B&B next door and getting TBC renovated,” Christine said. “And I really feel it’s important to invest in the community. All our financing is going through the Groton Bank, insurance through the Dempsey Agency, and all the restoration work and landscaping is being done by Groton businesses. My cousin, Russ Newman, is doing all the garden work.”

Christine is looking forward to converting the cement slab where the chicken coop used to be behind the inn into a carriage house for outdoor events to further add to the property’s offerings and hiring an innkeeper once the renovations are complete.

“I also want to partner with local caterers, photographers, florists and transportation companies to offer options for our guests and clients,” Christine said. “I want to take advantage of this beautiful environment and make it easy for guests to be picked up here to visit things like McKenzie Childs, local wineries and restaurants, hiking trails or anywhere they want to visit.”

Although they primarily live in Virginia, Christine and Edward have a summer home in Aurora, New York, as well as a 15th-century home in Italy, which they try to visit at least once a year. They have also lived in London and Dublin and pretty much traveled the world.

“Anything’s possible,” Christine responded when asked if she would ever consider moving back to Groton. “It’s so wonderful to be back in this house again!”

To book a stay, call (607) 898-5817. The Facebook page will go live Dec. 1 as The Benn Conger Inn.

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or call Linda at (607) 227-4922. 

In brief:

Groton Community Choir performances

Save the dates and plan to attend one or more performances of the Groton Community Choir’s 71st musical cantata. Under the direction of Ginny Casey, the group will present the Christmas musical, “Hope Has Come to Us,” arranged by Bradley Knight, Daniel Semsen, Cliff Duren and Joshua Spacht.

Opening night will be Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. at Dryden Baptist Church, 138 Virgil Rd. in Dryden. There will be a Sunday afternoon performance Dec. 5 at 3 p.m. at Groton Assembly of God, 701 S. Main St. Crown City Brass will also be performing.

Light refreshments will follow each performance. There is no charge for the concerts, but donations will be gratefully accepted. No one affiliated with the choir benefits financially, but the cost of music books and other materials needed seems to only increase each year.

Village leaf pickup reminder

Residents of the village of Groton may have their raked leaves picked up and taken away through Dec. 3. The Department of Public Works supervisor, Chad Shurtleff, reminds everyone that leaves should be raked to the curb or street side for pickup; they will not accept plastic bags, brush or vines. They are happy to provide this service and appreciate your cooperation and understanding that it is for leaves only.

TST/GHS Student of the Month

The following Groton student was recognized as outstanding student of the month for September at the TST BOCES Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center: Arianna Rose, Nurse Assisting and Health Occupations.

Students are chosen based on qualities such as character, leadership, citizenship, work ethic and attendance, and should be compassionate, honest, trustworthy, responsible and a positive role model.

Congratulations, Arianna!