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About Us

Tim & Christie Graupmann have owned Gilbert Mansion for the past 22 years.  Ever since her childhood days growing up in the neighborhood, it was always Christie's dream to live in the huge white house on the hill at 719 NW First Avenue.  Her dream came true when her husband purchased it for her in 2000.  Years of blood, sweat and tears have gone into restoration work and finding all the period antique furnishings to bring the home back to its original splendor.  The Graupmanns raised their six children in the home and after all of them had left the nest, the home was opened for tours in 2014.  Now they have decided to embark on a new adventure and have opened the mansion as a B&B so others will be able to get a taste of how the Gilbert family lived.

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"We consider it our honor and privilege to have been the caretakers of this beautiful place for the past 22 years."

                                                                                                                                    ~Tim &Christie

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Always a fascination...

 

The Gilbert Mansion has long been a source of fascination for area residents since it's construction in 1904.  After more than a century as a private home, the response from the community was overwhelmingly enthusiastic when it was finally opened for tours! Many guests have requested that the home be available for private events and Bed & Breakfast stays.  This house was designed for entertaining!  The home's original matriarch, Florence Gilbert, was quite the socialite and invited community members into her home on a regular basis.  Many parties, meetings and dances were held in the third floor ballroom of the Gilbert Mansion.  A century later, Tim & Christie have also hosted many events in the home during their 22 years of ownership.  Now the B&B is the perfect way to share this beautiful gem with others.  They look forward to meeting you at their Grand Rapids Bed & Breakfast.

 

"People just love coming to the Mansion and we have enjoyed sharing it with them.  We believe in providing a memorable experience to all of our guests and it always makes my heart happy to see their response."

                                                                                      ~Christie   


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bed and breakfast, bed & breakfast, B&B, b&b, historic mansion, historic mansion tours, special events, unique, tours, wine and cheese, tea party, social gathering

​Florence Gilbert was very proud of her beautiful home and opened her doors to friends, family and the community as often as she could.  The local Historical Society reported that the third floor ballroom of the Gilbert Mansion was the "social center of the community."  For many years following Florence's death, that was not the case as the Gilbert's oldest and very reclusive daughter, Kathryn, kept everyone out and allowed the home to fall into serious disrepair.   Thankfully the Gilbert Mansion has been lovingly restored to it's original glory. We believe Florence would be proud of her home once again.  

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