Welcome to our website
THE STORY
Mar-Gil Hill Inn is an Event Venue and Bed and Breakfast located at the end of Neptune Road in Cheatham County, Tennessee. Mar-Gil Hill Inn is named for its former owners, Marilyn Humphreys Justice and Gilbert Wylene Justice, who purchased the farm on Halloween 1945 with a loan of $8,200 co-signed by their Daddies. Marilyn and Gilbert were 2 kids of the depression who were truly the epitome of the Greatest Generation.
THE PROPERTY
Mar-Gil Hill Inn sits on a sprawling 210 acre farm of tree-covered rolling hills and includes a private road to the Cumberland River Bottoms. It is bordered on both sides by the former family farms of Mar and Gil. The property includes 2 farm houses, many sheds and barns including the cow barn recently re-faced with lumber from the land and the former chicken house which has been converted to the Poultry Palace, perfectly suited for kicking back.
RESTORATION AND REVELATION
Mar and Gil's daughter, Faye Silva, passionately pursued the project of restoration and renovation of the Big House with a team of supportive and patient professionals led by Jason Weaks. Together they loved the homeplace back to life over a period of 2 years with a few starts and stops along the way mostly due to the discoveries made as layers were removed.
Finally, in the Summer of 2019 Mar-Gil Hill Inn was ready for the big reveal with an Open House for friends and family on Saturday, August 30th. The event was hosted by Team Mar-Gil Hill and Faye. Guests lingered throughout the afternoon as they shared cherished memories of time spent with Marilyn and Gilbert on the farm.
GETTING THERE
As you wind your way to the end of Neptune Road you'll find your spirits lifting and your breathing easier. Turn right into the graveled driveway bordered by the cow pasture and approach the Maple-Shaded front yard where hide-and-seek or hop-scotch is played by day in the Summer and fire-flies are caught by night. You'll be tempted to leap from your vehicle to the swing or the front porch to simply breathe the country air and glimpse astounding peace and tranquility.
ONCE INSIDE
You will find yourself torn between lounging on the huge sectional in the spacious living room and bolting up the Scarlett and Rhett worthy stairs to explore the second story of the Inn. If you choose the Living Room you'll be drawn to the picture window view and the avian decor that includes pieces from 3 generations including two prints from "Miss Ruby" Humphreys and 2 ceramic quail Mar crafted for Gil in Mrs. Kemp's class mid-century.
UPSTAIRS
If the choice is upstairs you will find 2 spacious bedrooms where Faye and her Brother, Terry, spent their youth; many of the furnishing are as they were years earlier. The bedrooms include beautiful poplar flooring and tongue and groove walls and ceilings discovered under 9 layers of wall paper, quite likely a great insulation for the old home. Also, upstairs you'll discover Mar's former canned goods storage room converted to a reading room, a walk-in closet and huge bath complete with a claw-footed tub with a spectacular view of the property.
DOWNSTAIRS
Tucked under the stairs is a half-bath which from mid-century until the renovation was THE stairwell that Terry and Faye climbed and descended several times each day. This stairwell was Mar's attempt to contain cost of heating regardless of safety concerns, even her own as she climbed those stairs herself for some 50 years.
THE MASTER BEDROOM
Off the Living Room is Mar's and Gil's Bedroom. The Bedroom is furnished with the Cherry Bedroom Suite Mar bought mid-century which was the rage at the time. On her dresser you will find her high school picture, the original note for the property, her diary opened to her wedding day entry, the invitation to their 50th Wedding Anniversary and a picture of them cutting the cake. On Gil's chest of drawers you find a picture of him as a virile farmer, one of his last outings while at Walking Horse Meadows Assisted Living and the flag Mar was given at his graveside service. You'll also find their well-worn and well-read Bibles.
THE DINING ROOM
Before entering the Dining Room, please make a brief stop at the first Library Table in Neptune to sign the guest registry and pick up a copy of the Mar-Gil Hill Story. Once inside you'll see first-hand the results of Mar's furniture restoration skills and creativity. The table and chairs were stripped and redone down to the cushions and the china cabinet is a product Mar created from the original china cabinet and buffet. She actually chopped the legs off both pieces. Her original china graces the cabinet. You truly are welcome to use it. Also of note is the amazing tongue and groove ceiling which was discovered until water-damaged sheet rock.
THE KITCHEN
The first thing you will likely notice about the Kitchen is the yellow pine flooring which was found unfinished under olive green linoleum. You'll also feel drawn to sit for a spell at the table Gil crafted for Mar when they were first married. The Cabinets are from the mid-century recently redone with an antique flair. The tile counter and back splash compliment the beautiful hammered-copper sink with a patina that changes daily; think Tuscany not Tennessee.
THE SUNROOM
Off the Kitchen to the West you will find the Sunroom which was actually a porch prior to the 1980s. Gil and Mar turned this into their TV Room with the help of their nephew Keith. Today it features a sleeper sofa and includes a 3/4 bath recently redone with white subway tile which includes a built in seat if you need a rest while washing the day away. The Sunroom offers a private entrance with a porch that provides the perfect place to view the cows at the stable or take in an amazing sunset.
THE EVERYTHING ROOM
Off the Kitchen to the East you will find the Everything Room that includes appliances, even Mar's first General Electric Refrigerator which still chills everything better than the latest models but the defrosting method presents some challenges. Also in this room you'll find a floor to ceiling shelf that is stocked with children's books and games, biographies, World War II works, poetry and works that range from The Prophet to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and to Of Mice and Men. You can get your game or you read on. The children can sit at Faye's childhood table, spin the globe, play the xylophone or read. YOU can sit at the Formica-topped table in a Naugahyde covered chair and access your email with the 5g Wi-Fi. And just outside the door you'll find more pasture and the back yard that includes the Poultry Palace, Pit and Smoke House.
THE ORIGINAL BATH
First it was the Pantry then it became a bathroom when in-door plumbing hit Mar-Gil Hill. It's the bathroom a family of 4 shared for many years and somehow managed. Of course that was before blow-dryers but it is equipped with one now. The tub is the original and from it you'll have an amazing view of the East. The white tile is new as are the pedestal sink and toilet but the cabinet is designed and crafted by Gil.
THE POULTRY PALACE
Located in the back yard you will find the original Chicken House which was converted into the Poultry Palace with red oak and poplar from the property. Thanks to James for shoring up the building, creating the flooring and crafting a bar. Also thanks to Sonny for the electricity. The Poultry Palace is a great place to unwind and kick back.
THE PIT
You'll discover The Pit between the Poultry Palace and the Smoke House. Here you will enjoy the warmth of the fire while sharing memories of your day or days gone by, gaze into the clear night sky, count the stars and name the planets. AND just maybe the Telescope will be highly functioning for a close-up and personal look.
THE GAMES
You and yours will find a variety of yard games to enjoy while at Mar-Gil Hill Inn ranging from Hopscotch on the Front Walk to croquet, to bocce ball to horseshoes to hide-and-seek to.... Please simply unwind and let your CHILD PLAY!
COME CELEBRATE LIFE AT MAR-GIL HILL INN!