<p>In the mid-1980s, the historic hotel at the head of Main street Vineyard Haven was called the Tisbury Inn, and it had seen better days. The Goldsteins saw an opportunity.</p>
In the mid-1980s, the historic hotel at the head of Main street Vineyard Haven was called the Tisbury Inn, and it had seen better days.
Inn at head of Main street dates to 1769.
Inn at head of Main street dates to 1769.
One Island couple saw it as an opportunity.
“Some old-time Vineyarders discouraged us from buying it, because it didn’t have a really successful back story,” recalled Susie Goldstein, who bought the inn with her husband Sherman Goldstein in February 1985.
Long called the Mansion House, the name it bears today, the inn dates to 1769 and has been ravaged by fire more than once over the centuries. The current building went up in the 1880s, changing hands, names and decorative schemes repeatedly during the 20th century.
“When we bought it, it looked like a glass of bourbon that someone had put out a cigarette in,” Mrs. Goldstein said. “It was all shades of yellow, not very pretty, and browns.”
“I called it addictive colors,” added Mr. Goldstein, a psychotherapist who practiced on the Island before taking the leap into professional hospitality.
At the time, Ms. Goldstein was teaching school and managing a gift store that needed a new location. While searching for shop sites, the couple met the inn’s owner, who quoted a price that fired their imaginations.
“I just felt completely confident that we could make that work,” Mr. Goldstein said.
“We really didn’t know much about the hotel business.” Mrs. Goldstein said. “I was a teacher at the West Tisbury School and Sherman worked for [Martha’s Vineyard] Community Services.
“But the late Cheryl Stark told us that if you work hard on Main street, you can earn a living, and we were determined to do that.”
After a months-long renovation with a new color scheme, the Goldsteins reopened the Tisbury Inn. Their first check-in was a man with a case of beer, and he wasn’t the only guest bringing his own.
Mrs. Goldstein recalled quailing behind the registration desk as she realized most of their weekend bookings were on Island for a darts tournament.
“It turned out all right,” she said. “We have had great guests through the years, and the only real theft we ever had was a couple of roofers who broke into the restaurant next door and tried to steal the cookies.”
The family that bikes — and runs a hotel and health club — together.
The family that bikes — and runs a hotel and health club — together.
The true crisis came after the hotel suffered a devastating fire in December 2001.
“It was a huge blaze,” Ms. Goldstein said. “It was very, very scary.
“We are eternally grateful that no one got hurt.”
All the Goldsteins could do was watch as the fire department battled the flames, a sight made surreal by the fact that several first responders arrived in tuxedos from a holiday benefit for the Boys and Girls Club.
An investigation later found that the chimney to an oil-fired hot water heater had come out of its flue, allowing combustible gases to accumulate until they ignited.
The couple moved rapidly to rebuild their charred and gutted inn, reopening as the Mansion House 18 months to the day after the fire.
“We had two kids in college and we didn’t have any money unless we opened the door,” Ms. Goldstein said. “Our house was on the line.”
The Goldsteins children, Josh Goldstein and Nili Morgan, grew up with the inn, where it wasn’t unusual for them to spend a sick day tucked into bed in a spare guest room while their parents worked. Josh recalls walking down the street to Yates drug store, at the age of five to use the family’s charge account.
Josh and Nili also learned the operation and business sides of the inn, and although each of them has spent time pursuing off-Island careers, in recent years they have both returned to Vineyard to work alongside their parents.
Nili also took a year off from her studies at Brandeis University to help out after the fire, before returning to finish her degree and chase a major-league dream.
“I was convinced that I was going to be the next head honcho of the Red Sox,” she said. “I got as far as giving tours at Fenway Park.”
On a visit home, she reconnected with high school classmate Dylan Morgan, and they married in 2013.
“We’re now here with two kids, being Vineyarders,” she said.
Josh stayed in the hospitality industry, but sought warmer climes during his off-Island years.
“I ran away to Florida for five years and worked in various hotels,” he said.
“I didn’t think that I would come back, but when the economy in Florida melted down in 2010, it was clearly time,” he continued. Today he too is married, owns a home on the Island and is active in community affairs.
“We really needed them at that point and we were very, very lucky that they came back,” Mrs. Goldstein said.
“We’re like a family farm. There’s always something to do.” Nili added:
“Our joke is that before Josh and I moved home to help out, they were able to handle everything.
“It’s not so much that the hotel has grown, which it has, but there’s more to find when there are more eyes looking at it.”
Josh and Nili have also brought fresh ideas to the Mansion House, Mrs. Goldstein said, while at the same time extending family tradition.
“It’s always good to have the next generation, and there are a bunch of next-generation businesses on the Island,” she said. “We’re really lucky. They give the Vineyard a sense of place.”
Comments
A truly great family; a
Henry West Tisbury.A truly great family; a staple of Vineyard Haven and of our island. The island needs more people like them!
I had the pleasure of working
Nina Garde Kingston , MaI had the pleasure of working for the Goldstein’s for 8 years. They are a very strong, loving family who work well together. They have worked hard over the years, building the Mansion House into a lovely welcoming beacon as people drive off the ferry. In resurrecting this old Inn they have provided sold year round jobs for many Islanders. I felt so grateful to have year round work and loved working there. Well done Goldstein’s, thank you.
This is cute with a capital K
Arnie Reisman Vineyard HavenThis is cute with a capital K! Use the pictures for next year's holiday season cards. Better yet, make them into a valentine. This family is a blessing to the island. And, I might add, my dear friends. Nice story!
My favorite memory of last
Joan Seaver Belmont, MaMy favorite memory of last summer was a stay with my family at the Mansion Inn. My family loved the feeling of staying in a historic inn with up to date amenities. One of my favorite memories is of my grandson coming down the grand staircase in his PJ's to go to breakfast. The staff was so friendly and efficient. We loved being in the pool and looking out on to Main Street. Thank you to the Goldstein Family for working so hard to make The Mansion Inn the perfect place to stay and helping our family make great memories.
A wonderful piece that speaks
Christine McCue Potts TisburyA wonderful piece that speaks to the power of family and community! Thank you Vineyard Gazette for publishing the piece, and to all who made it possible.
Cheryl was right! And
Margie Meltzer West TisburyCheryl was right! And congratulations for your hard work and success!
And most old-time Vineyarders
Tom West TisburyAnd most old-time Vineyarders are thankful that the Goldsteins had the wisdom to restore the name Mansion House. Great photos by the way.
Let's not forget the good art
James Pringle VINEYARD HAVENLet's not forget the good art on the walls.
Awesome, awesome family. Best
Tom BraunAwesome, awesome family. Best of luck going forward!
Nice to hear a Family take.
Sam C of Edgartown EdgartownNice to hear a Family take.
Also I attend the first 4-5 maybe more
Chowder Festivals at the Inn. There were about 20 booths!!! Not 3-4. Use the Inn again and get the Coast Guard back as they were in earlier times!! Sherm u can do it.
I have visited Martha's
Brad Wender AtlantaI have visited Martha's Vineyard twice over the years and stayed at Mansion House both times and would highly recommend it to anyone.
Congratulations to the
Melinda Loberg Vineyard HavenCongratulations to the Goldstein family for their significant contribution to the town as an anchor on Main St. They have a spectacular view from the roof deck and a wonderful and welcoming health club in addition to a fine hotel. The town is indeed fortunate to have the Goldstein family's work ethic and commitment not only to travelers from afar, but to the locals as well!
Great story! Great family!
Sid Goldberg Newton, MaGreat story! Great family!
I witnessed the Goldstein’s
Jeffrey Kramer Vineyard HavenI witnessed the Goldstein’s “MIRACLE ON MAIN STREET” . .....and indeed it was! Hats off to this loving super family that made Main Street and all of us better!
I love the mansion and am so
PF4PEACE CT/VHI love the mansion and am so pleased to read this story of family, faith and perseverance. I always direct Island visitors to MH in VH.
Back in the late '80's when
David Vigneault TisburyBack in the late '80's when we were establishing work and community supports for Vineyarders with disabilities, the Goldsteins welcomed the use of the Tisbury Inn fitness and pool facilities by individuals and their staff supports. Sherm and Suzie could not have been more personable and natural in accommodating varied needs and efforts. Seems a simple thing but we did not take it for granted and many different Vineyarders remain ever grateful.
My husband and I have been
Anna CaliforniaMy husband and I have been going back to the Vineyard for over a decade now. Always stayed at the Mansion House. I believe our first visit was a year after the last fire, 2004. We like the place so much that we did not bother to book our annual visits anywhere else, it just became like a tradition. In 2015 I even brought my family and they all enjoyed their stay at the Mansion and the never ending conversations about the “cupola". Over the years we met so many people there, different managers, the staff and coming back annually we see different faces each visit. Some old timers are still there and can’t wait to see them. They’ve become a family away from home. I feel very sad leaving the island after each visit. We used to write a thank you note from California with a box of chocolate to thank the staff since they all have been very welcoming and always do a good job in making our stay very homey. It’s the least we could do. That changed a bit for the last few years, there seems to be some turnover with the staff. We still very much connect with some of the old staff left, just do things differently. The Mansion is a big part of our stay in the Vineyard. We’ve seen a lot of changes over the years and one that we missed the most was having delectable breakfast served at Zephrus when it was still around. After all, it’s been so many years and changes are bound to happen and that’s life. We’ve been visiting since then (we only missed one year, 2010) and the funny thing is we’ve never met any of the family members. Not once, we’ve never run into them (not that I recall). Who knows…maybe this year we’ll bump into them or one of them if we get lucky. We visit the same time every year, we stay in the same room (at least for the last 10 years). The staff knows we always make our reservations and try to lock pretty much the same dates for the following year before we leave. We normally stay for 10 days. One thing that stays consistent after all these years, we are still very happy loyal guests staying at the Mansion House. A big thank you to the Goldstein Family.
Hopefully, this pandemic will be over soon so we can make it in September. I am hoping that everyone in Martha's Vineyard stays safe and healthy. We are now shelter in place in CA. We’ve been subscribing the Gazette and MV Magazine for years and it keeps us informed and connected to the island. Thank you for the opportunity to write this comment.
So happy your family is
Lynann WisconsinSo happy your family is dedicated to keeping this beautiful place going! My husband and I stayed at the Tisbury Inn in June, 1996, on our honeymoon. Martha's Vineyard has a special place in our hearts. We are thinking of visiting the Mansion House Inn on our 30th!
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