Have you ever thought about visiting your former school or eating in the lunchroom again? Those who went to Meade School in Gettysburg can—at the Federal Pointe Inn.
Originally known as The Meade School, the nineteenth-century school building is now transformed into a boutique hotel. With the original 12-foot ceilings, chalkboards, photos of the school along the wall and antique furniture, the Inn maintains its old-school charm. Hotel owner Pete Monahan comes from a family of hoteliers and said it was important to him to create not only a beautiful hotel but also one with a unique guest experience.
Located a short walking distance from the heart of downtown Gettysburg, the Federal Pointe Inn is perfectly situated for guests to explore the city. Monahan said a large part of what attracted him to the former school was the prime location, and the schoolyard made for a spacious parking lot, which is not always easy to find.
“When I heard the school was for sale, I fell in love with restoring such an incredible building with a great look and feel about it,” said Monahan. “Much of the interior of the school was undisturbed and was an asset to transforming the building into a hotel.” In 2012, Monahan and his wife, Liz, purchased the school and immediately began renovations.
During renovations, the classrooms became two separate bedrooms, each filled with elegant wood furniture, artwork from the Civil War and decor to match Gettysburg’s charm. Attached to each bedroom is a luxurious bathroom.
In the hotel’s basement—in the space that used to serve as the school’s cafeteria and seated 36 pupils—is the Federal Pointe Pub. Signs from the old school hang on the wall near the bar, reminding guests of the building’s history. Divided into a dining area and a bar with high-top tables, the Pub is reminiscent of the school with several original slate chalkboards, class photos, a wind-up phone mounted on the wall, a flag in the corner and the school bell.
Carrying through the school theme, old slate chalkboards list the drink menu, which includes local craft beer, wine and spirits. On Friday nights, the Pub brings in a local pianist to provide live music.
The menu’s signature dish, Crabcake Factory crabcakes, comes fresh from the Crabcake Factory in Ocean City, MD. Stuffed with crab meat and cooked to perfection, this entree is not to be missed. Other popular dishes are Murphy’s wings, iceberg wedge and jalapeno-stuffed peppers wrapped in bacon.
A recent addition to the menu is the warm chocolate chip cookie. Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of the name; this is one massive cookie covered in vanilla ice cream and garnished with sliced strawberries. (Don’t worry—the strawberries make it all healthy!)
Follow the Inn on Facebook for updates on events and menus.
Find the Federal Pointe Inn at 75 Springs Ave. in Gettysburg; phone: (717) 334-7800.
- Food photos: Elizabeth Puleo
- Remaining photos: Pete Monahan
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