Guests returning to the Great Harbour Inn in Edgartown, the former Kelley House, have some surprises in store for them, but it is doubtful that they will miss the coal bin.
Contractor Elmer E. West is building for Mrs. E. A. Kelley, of the Kelley House, on her land on the waterfront between Osborn’s and Chadwick’s wharves, a two-story building, 24 by 34 feet in size, which we are told will be used by male guests of the Kelley House as a lounging room, with other rooms for card playing, smoking, etc.
Sudden, and yet not unexpected, was the announcement last Friday evening which went from house to house and club to business place, that William Kelley, well-known landlord and busy citizen, had passed away.
Mr. Kelley had been confined to the house for about ten days, although he had been ailing for the past six weeks. The cause of his sickness and death was Brights disease, which, once seated, made fast inroads upon his naturally rugged frame.
A handsome sign, “Kelley House,” in black and gold, was put in position on the front of that hotel a few days ago, the work of Painter Chas. A. Joy. A new house-flag has also been flung to the breeze, “Kelley’s,” the gift to the house of Mrs. Marshall Shepard, who has been in the past a frequent guest at the Kelley House.
Landlord Kelley is putting the Sea View House in prime order for the summer’s business, and the house has been completely renovated from lower to upper floors, and new improvements added. Mr. and Mrs. Kelley have earned for this hotel an enviable reputation for the first-class comfort to all guests.
The former Vineyard House, which is to be reopened this summer as “The Sea View,” is beginning to present a fine appearance in its new coats of white paint. Mr. Kelley is doing an immense amount of work to the interior and exterior of this once famous hostelry, and when opened in June the house will be all that made it so popular in years gone.
