Vine History

In 1900, one year before the original Homestead Resort burned down, a small Victorian house was built on State Hwy 800 (now known as Hwy 220) by the Southern Improvement Company. It was initially offered as a leased property, and the 1^st tenant was J. T. McAllister who was a local attorney, historian and author. The house was named Vine Cottage and the entire front porch was covered by ivy vines which provided privacy and shade. In 1905, the Inn became a boarding house and started to rent out rooms to travelers who were looking to “take the waters” of the hot and warm mineral springs in the area.

In 1928, the house underwent a major expansion that doubled the size of the inn and added 6 additional rooms at the back of the property and allowed for a much larger kitchen so they could serve 3 meals a day to their guests. In 1930, Thomas Sterrett Jr. and his wife Margaret (Daisy) Pole purchased the Vine Cottage and turned it into the inn as it is known today. The Sterrett’s operated the Inn until the mid 1940’s. Their daughter, Helen Sterrett and her husband Reginald Muzzy continued to operate the inn with their two children after the death of Helen’s parents. Helen Muzzy sold the Vine Cottage Inn in 1955. Helen’s daughter, Elizabeth (Beth) lived in the Inn for 9 years before it was sold in 1955. As of 2022, Beth still comes to visit her childhood home at least once per year! We love to hear her stories of growing up in Vine Cottage and Bath County. Historical pictures are courtesy of the Bath County Historical Society.

From 1955 – 2018, nine different owners have operated the Vine Cottage Inn as a welcome retreat for those travelers looking to enjoy Bath County. In 2018, the Vine was purchased by Dave and Tammy Hahn.

Meet the Innkeepers:

Tammy and Dave are resident Innkeepers at Vine Cottage Inn and are thrilled to have the opportunity to continue the long history of exceptional hospitality for which the Vine is known.

Between the two of them, Dave and Tammy have over 60 years of hospitality experience, both from the hotel and the restaurant perspectives. Dave started in the restaurant business in 1983 and has spent 39 years in various positions including server, assistant manager, general manager, and Managing Partner. Prior to purchasing the Inn, Dave spent almost 19 years with Outback Steakhouse in positions from Server to Managing Partner.

Tammy graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management in 1992. Her career in the hotel industry began in 1989 as a front desk clerk and ended in 2009 as a General Manager of a 181 unit condominium hotel. Prior to purchasing the Inn, Tammy managed a before and after school program at a local elementary school for about 100 children for 9 years. Her hospitality skills assisted her in excelling in this role.

Dave loves to cook, so he will typically be found in the kitchen from which he will prepare your 3 course breakfast on our 1928 Magic Chef commercial stove. Since Tammy burns water, she is not allowed in the kitchen to help cook. However, she will serve your delicious breakfast with a hope and a prayer that you won’t be wearing it when she’s finished. Together, they both enjoy the challenges of maintaining historic properties so do not be surprised if you find both of them with tools in their hands.

While they have not owned the Vine Cottage Inn for long, they have already made upgrades to the 8 of the 10 guestrooms and public areas with more to come in the near future. Both Tammy and Dave have knowledge of the area and can assist you with planning a day trip or recommendations for dinner. They are looking forward to meeting all their guests and demonstrating the exemplary guest service in which they excel.

Historic photograph of the Vine Cottage Inn