Bidders and spectators wait for Thursday’s auction of the Henry Clay Inn to start. Photos by Evelyn Rupert.
A businesswoman from New Jersey is set to be Ashland’s newest hotelier.
Beth Mason placed the winning bid of $805,000 to purchase the Henry Clay Inn in Ashland at an auction held Thursday afternoon.
She said she will continue to operate the 114 N. Railroad Ave. property as a hotel.
Mason lives in Hoboken, N.J., where she runs an investment firm and nonprofit and serves on the city council. She and her husband are both graduates of VCU. Mason said she has stayed at the inn several times while visiting her mom, who lives about two blocks away.
“My family has been around this area for several generations,” Mason said. “I’m looking for potential things to invest in, so why not invest in the community where your family lives?”
Beth Mason is congratulated on her winning bid of $805,000.
Mason said she will use her experience as a city councilwoman to work closely with the Ashland community and business owners, as well as the neighboring Randolph Macon College. She said she wants to get a better feel for the community’s interests and needs before announcing any major changes to the inn.
The Henry Clay Inn opened in 1992. It has 14 rooms and nearly 12,000 square feet. The property is a recreation of an Ashland hotel that dates back to the Civil War era and was twice burned to the ground in the early 1900s.
Thursday’s auction drew seven bidders and a small crowd of spectators to the inn’s front porch.
Tim Jennings and Linda Terry from auction firm Tranzon handled the sale.
A 10 percent premium will be added to the bid to pay the auction firm and create the final contract price. The deal will close before the end of the year.
The inn remains open for business under its current owners, Ray and Carol Martin, in the meantime.
The inn property was assessed this year at $1.03 million, according to Hanover County records.
Bidders and spectators wait for Thursday’s auction of the Henry Clay Inn to start. Photos by Evelyn Rupert.
A businesswoman from New Jersey is set to be Ashland’s newest hotelier.
Beth Mason placed the winning bid of $805,000 to purchase the Henry Clay Inn in Ashland at an auction held Thursday afternoon.
She said she will continue to operate the 114 N. Railroad Ave. property as a hotel.
Mason lives in Hoboken, N.J., where she runs an investment firm and nonprofit and serves on the city council. She and her husband are both graduates of VCU. Mason said she has stayed at the inn several times while visiting her mom, who lives about two blocks away.
“My family has been around this area for several generations,” Mason said. “I’m looking for potential things to invest in, so why not invest in the community where your family lives?”
Beth Mason is congratulated on her winning bid of $805,000.
Mason said she will use her experience as a city councilwoman to work closely with the Ashland community and business owners, as well as the neighboring Randolph Macon College. She said she wants to get a better feel for the community’s interests and needs before announcing any major changes to the inn.
The Henry Clay Inn opened in 1992. It has 14 rooms and nearly 12,000 square feet. The property is a recreation of an Ashland hotel that dates back to the Civil War era and was twice burned to the ground in the early 1900s.
Thursday’s auction drew seven bidders and a small crowd of spectators to the inn’s front porch.
Tim Jennings and Linda Terry from auction firm Tranzon handled the sale.
A 10 percent premium will be added to the bid to pay the auction firm and create the final contract price. The deal will close before the end of the year.
The inn remains open for business under its current owners, Ray and Carol Martin, in the meantime.
The inn property was assessed this year at $1.03 million, according to Hanover County records.
Nice to know that Beth Mason will utilize this facility as it was intended. I am sure her Mom will be happy for her to be involved in Ashland. Good luck Beth and let all of know how we can assist you in your adventure.
Hank Lowry
So glad to hear that the new owner is originally from Ashland. My family has been here since the town began. I worked at the Inn when it first opened in the late 90’s. I’ve always wanted to see a civil war reenactment at the Inn around Christmas time. How beautiful that would be. Like stepping back in time. Carol once had a Civil War reenactment of a wedding at the Inn. I was working as a server on that day and accidentally knocked over a hurricane lamp while serving food. Luckily for me we caught it in time and… Read more »