About Wilson House Bed & Breakfast
Guy & Clelia Thomas
The Serendipitous Tale of Guy & Clelia: From a Chance Meeting to Award-Winning Bed & Breakfast
A Journey of Love, Vision, and Transformation
The Meeting
Guy and Clelia’s paths intersected at noon on a fateful autumn Saturday nearly 30 years ago. Clelia, a Peruvian working in Spain, was visiting Pricilla, a school chum who had recently moved to Baltimore. Guy had just moved to Baltimore to take a research job at Johns Hopkins. As Guy returned right at noon from his first trip to the grocery store, he saw Clelia and her friend standing on the small stoop of his rowhouse. They were trying to see if the Saturday morning wedding at the quaint church directly across the street, had ended. They wanted to tour the church, but did not want to bother anyone. The street was narrow, and Guy’s stoop faced the church’s aisle leading to the altar. You could see its cross from his front door.
Clelia and Pricilla had just finished running 5 kilometers and were wearing baggy gym clothes, with their hair up and no makeup on. But Guy could tell they were attractive, and always friendly, he asked them how he could help them, thinking they were college students at one of the several universities in the area, and wanted to ask him something. Clelia replied in Spanish that she was sorry but she did not speak English. Guy had studied 3 other languages since he last spoke Spanish, but while at college 30+ years before Guy had worked as a mechanic’s helper in a garage in his hometown of Corpus Christi, Texas where everyone spoke TexMex, a dialect of Spanish. Intrigued by Clelia’s reply Guy was able to reply in passable Spanish. Pricilla had developed a basic understanding in English, so the three talked for several minutes and Guy offered to show them around Baltimore’s Inner Harbor that evening. The Inner Harbor was 3 blocks from where they were staying but they had been reluctant to venture down to it by themselves.
At the appointed time 7 hours later, they walked into the restaurant where they had agreed to meet dressed to party. Hair down, with lipstick, short black shirts, and high heels on. Guy’s immediate reaction was “WOW! Boy did they clean up good!” By the end of the evening, he knew Clelia was the most beautiful woman, inside and out, that he had ever met. Indeed, he was intimidated. The three of them agreed to meet the next night, at the same time and place to go to a party being given by a school friend of the two at a Latin nightclub.
The next night was full of fun and Guy & Clelia really hit it off, spending much of the evening dancing together. Guy is a good dancer, and Clelia is a spectacular one, so the evening was very enjoyable for both of them, but Guy still did not have much hope that “this gorgeous woman” would be a serious girlfriend, much less his life’s partner. Indeed, Clelia was leaving for Spain two days later, but they vowed to keep in touch, as friends. Guy believed he would end up being just a good friend. He did send her English language tapes as he had promised, and they exchanged a few letters. This was just before emails.
When she returned to the US 8 months later, they immediately started dating. On the 3rd date Guy took her to a favorite Spanish restaurant of his, where he introduced her as “his new friend from Spain and Peru”. As they drove away, Clelia asked if they were going to be “amigos o emorados” saying she would like to be his “emorada” (Steady). Guy replied “Are you sure? You may well be the most beautiful women in Baltimore. You could have a lot of fun playing the field.” She said she was sure, that she thought Guy was the most enjoyable person to be around she had ever met, and the 13 years age difference met nothing to her. 8 months later they were married, and started looking for a home.
In their search Guy stumbled across what is now their B&B. It was in terrible condition, but it clearly had “good bones.” So Guy made an appointment to tour the house. Clelia wanted a modern house, but as they toured this grand old monster of a home they realized it would be the perfect place for a B&B, something they had discussed doing in the future.
The Restoration
They bought it and almost immediately spent twice as much as the purchase price on a huge upgrade to the electric system, the restoration of two bedrooms, and the installation of 2 new bathrooms. 5 years later they added another 2 bathrooms, upgraded the kitchen in the ground floor apartment, and installed another kitchen on the fourth floor, turning what been storage space into a second full apartment.
The restoration process was arduous yet exhilarating. They both love history, and Clelia’s eye for color and design, and Guy’s eye for art and antiques complemented each other perfectly. They meticulously restored the mansion, preserving its original features while incorporating modern amenities to ensure guest comfort. Each room was thoughtfully decorated with antique furnishings, vintage wallpapers, and period-appropriate decor, creating an ambiance that transported guests back in time. They have continued to upgrade their home and its furnishing a bit at a time. Although it is still “a work in progress”, they take great pride in what they have accomplished.
The Recognition
Their attention to detail extended beyond aesthetics. Clelia is a master in the kitchen. As in Peru she sources locally grown produce for their meals. The meals are served on beautiful antique German china, with antique silver cutlery they have had remade, and crystal glass wear. Clelia is also very mindful of cleanliness. Several organizations have led historical tours of the property and its surroundings. The Bed & Breakfast has become a haven for history buffs, and anyone seeking an authentic Victorian experience.
Their hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed. The Bed & Breakfast quickly gained a reputation for its unique charm, exceptional service, and immersive historical experience. It wasn’t long before they began receiving accolades and awards from travel publications and industry experts. The once run-down Victorian mansion had been transformed into an award-winning destination, attracting guests from near and far.
The Legacy
Today, Guy and Clelia’s Bed & Breakfast stands as a testament to their love, vision, and perseverance. It is a place where history is not just preserved but celebrated, where guests can step into the near past of the Cold War, with Guy’s many mementos of his nearly two decades spent gathering intelligence on prospective foes, or the past of a more elegant time. create their own stories. The success of their venture is not just measured by the awards and accolades but by the countless memories and experiences they’ve created for their guests.
Their journey serves as an inspiration to others, proving that with passion, dedication, and a little bit of serendipity, dreams can indeed become reality.