History of Ravenwood Castle
Although the design of Ravenwood Castle was inspired by castles built to defend the border between England and Wales in the 12th and 13th centuries, the building in much newer, of course. Sue and Jim Maxwell have been long-time Anglophiles (lovers of English Culture) and have made many trips to Britain where they first enjoyed the concept of Bed and Breakfast many years before it was common in America. It was on these trips they also got the idea for the Castle. Ground was broken in September 1994, and the main Castle building was finished by May 1995. Although they had planned only four rooms for guests, for various reasons, a few more rooms were added along the way. The cottages in the medieval village were started in the fall of 1996 and the first three were ready for guests in the spring of 1997.

Ravenwood was the fourth Bed and Breakfast owned by Jim and Sue - the two have been in the B&B business since 1986. Before Ravenwood, the Maxwells had an ornate Victorian house that was somewhat castle-like in a Circleville, Ohio. However, the location was unpleasantly noisy, and the neighborhood had a lot of problems, so they decided to build “a castle in the country.”
   

  
The floor of the great hall and much of the wood trim in the Castle were adapted from the various castles and “stately homes” they saw on their trips. The game room resembles the atmosphere of many British pubs with its “faux stone” floor, tavern windows and great fireplace.

It was on these trips that they also got the idea for the tea room and cottages. The designs of these buildings were all inspired by Sue’s photos of original British buildings. The cottage themes were inspired by the occupations of people who might have lived or worked in their cottage home several hundred years ago. While in England, they also came across various gypsy wagons which gave them the unique idea of alternative lodgings for camping families.

On July 1, 2009, Ravenwood was officially adopted by Patrick Wadsworth and Michael Converse. Patrick had been a previous guest to the Castle grounds in the early days and was in awe of the wonderful changes Sue and Jim had made to the Castle.

Although this is the first Country Inn owned by the duo, Pat has 35 years in the Hospitality industry. Patrick was the Director of Catering at University of Maryland before taking over the events for the President Office at The Ohio State University in 1999. Much of his duties helped to shape the official entertaining at the University Residence, Pizzuti House. Pat is still a huge fan of the OSU Buckeyes and every once and a while, if a guest shouts O-H – you can hear him reply I-O!
  
Ravenwood Castle
65666 Bethel Road
New Plymouth, Ohio 45654
Phone: 800-477-1541
e-mail: ravenwood@hocking.net
 
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