By Charla Wurm-Adams
cwurm@wbcowqel.com
A home that housed love and care for over a hundred years will be reopening its doors—this time to the public. Charla Wurm-Adams, an enterprising business owner, plans on opening the Willacker Inn in New Washington for the holiday season with hopes of offering a hospitable environment for travelers or visiting family members.
Donatas Nicholas Weithman had been born in Bavaria, Germany in 1864 and immigrated to America with his family when he was three years old. He grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania and moved to New Washington in 1887. After marrying Elizabeth Durnwald, Weithman began building his family’s home on Willacker Street in 1888.
“As the family grew larger, he added an upstairs with six bedrooms. He was always doing something to improve our house,” Weithman’s daughter, Mildred Weithman wrote in a book.
The house that had been home to a lot of love and caring for nearly 125 years will be revising that role again.
Charla Wurm-Adams plans on opening the Willacker Inn for the holiday season. Wurm-Adams said the bed and breakfast will start out small with continental breakfasts or by reservations. The inn will also be available for meetings and afternoon tea time.
“I love to have company and to be able to offer people a place to stay, that means a lot to me,” explained Wurm-Adams. “I think New Washington is a great place to have a small Bed and Breakfast like this and I hope they enjoy it as well. I have had requests for the holidays and a group of ladies would like to have a quilting weekend with us.”
The Willacker Inn has hopes of offering a hospitable environment for travelers or visiting family members in need a homelike atmosphere to stay.
Wurm-Adams said the house has a lot of history, which will be on display. Railroad tracks used to run close to the house and hobos would stop by for a meal. Wurm-Adams plans on showcasing the house’s hobo history will paintings that were drawn by visiting hobos. Portraits of people who built the house and lived there over the years will also be displayed.
Wurm-Adams’ brother, Charles Wurm is looking forward to spending some time at his sister’s inn. “I work as a U.S. Government Contractor and before that, I was in the United States Army. I have traveled all over the Middle East, Europe, Asia and the U.K.,” said Wurm. “I’m looking forward to coming home and staying at the Willacker Inn for a peaceful night’s sleep and a good breakfast.”
The Willacker Inn is located at 120 Willacker St., New Washington. The cost will be $50 per night for a single or $70 per night for a double. For more information or to make reservations, call 419-569-5326 or email charlawurm@gmail.com.