About the Inn: About | Amenities | Policies |

About the Bed and Breakfast...

The inn is named for the two families who lived here prior to its becoming a bed and breakfast. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Nearing bought the house from its original owner and made renovations to a 2-story sun porch on the south side of the building, adding additional living space to the family room and a fourth upstairs bedroom. In 1960 the Nearings sold the house to my parents, Dr. and Mrs. Fletcher McDowell. At that time Tillotson Avenue was at the edge of town, and the house was a wonderful place to raise my two brothers and me. They added a first floor addition in the 1980’s including a first floor bedroom (now the innkeeper’s quarters).

When my parents moved into a retirement community, it became my job to sell their house. By 2004 Muncie had grown toward the northwest changing Tillotson Avenue into a major thoroughfare and making the five-bedroom house’s location less attractive to a family with young children. As I would drive by it on the way to work it began to feel more like the place I grew up in instead of a house to be sold. The year it was on the market, it became clear to me that the location was perfect for a bed and breakfast.

During that year I realized it was also time for me to make a lifestyle change, 37 years after enrolling in Indiana University School of Medicine. After witnessing incredible advancements in technology and sharing joys and sorrows with my patients, I knew it was time for me to step back and let those practice who are better equipped to cope with the bureaucracy of 21st century medicine.

Two years have been spent in preparing the house to meet all the requirements of a 21st century bed and breakfast. A two-story addition to the north and extensive remodeling of the original structure have allowed for the inclusion of ensuite bathrooms in each of the four guest rooms. Each guest room has American handmade furniture, a ceiling fan, cable TV with DVD/VCR and a four season electric fireplace by Dimplex. Our two whirlpool tubs manufactured by Sanijet are pipeless and certified by NSF, making totally hygienic bathing possible.

The hardwood floors have been restored to their original luster, and the front façade of the house now has twin bow windows. The fuse boxes and cast iron pipes have been replaced with modern wiring and plumbing. If the need ever arises, the house is now equipped with a natural gas fired generator. Landscaping to the north includes a rain garden, making use of native plants to help decrease runoff from storm water onto adjacent properties.

Guest common areas include a sunlit dining room with a 24-hour beverage station and guest refrigerator, a parlor with gas fireplace, and a library with an eclectic assortment of books, videos, and games.

Bed and Breakfast Amenities

The guest rooms in the McDowell-Nearing House are named for nearby Muncie neighborhoods. All rooms are on the second floor and are not handicap accessible. The Morningside room can accommodate a third guest on a roll-away bed. Amenities common to all rooms include:

• In-room thermostats to control central heat and air conditioning
• Ceiling fans
• Electric all-season fireplaces
• Ensuite bathrooms with Gilchrist and Soames toiletries
• Flat Panel U-Verse Cable TV by AT&T
• WiFi High-speed Internet access by AT&T
• Adequate closet, dresser and shelf space
• Hair dryers
• Iron and ironing board
• Alarm Clock-Radio
• CD/DVD players
• Comfy robes, fluffy towels and high quality linens
• Complimentary home-cooked breakfasts

A guest computer and printer/fax/copier is also available

Bed and Breakfast Policies

• Our rooms are booked by advance reservation only.
• We require an advance deposit equal to one night’s stay held by a credit card or a check to guarantee your reservation. We must receive your check 2 weeks before your planned stay.
• We accept cash, travelers checks, MasterCard, Visa and American Express.
• Room rates are for double occupancy and do not include local and state taxes. Each extra person will be charged $30. Rates are subject to change without notice.
• Check-in is between 3 pm and 6 pm. If you plan to arrive after 6:00 pm please let us know in advance, and call if you're running late. Our day is planned around check-ins,and we want to be sure to be here to meet you.
• Checkout is at 11am. Late checkouts are subject to additional fees
• If your stay is for a special occasion, please let us know if we can help with any special arrangements.
• If you have food allergies, please inform us at the time of your reservation
• A 2 night minimum stay is required for holiday weekends, Ball State and Taylor Graduation and Parents Weekend and other special events.
• THIRD PARTY RESERVATIONS: When two or more rooms are reserved by one party for friends, family or co-workers staying at the inn, we will hold the reserved rooms for a period of 48 hours only so that all parties may confirm their individual reservation with pre-payment directly to the inn. Unconfirmed rooms remaining at the end of the 48-hour period will automatically be cancelled.
• ENTIRE HOUSE RESERVATIONS require a 50% deposit. Cancellations of entire house rentals must be made at least 21 days prior to the reservation date and will incur a $50 processing charge. The reservation must be paid in full and is non-refundable 21 days prior to arrival.
• GIFT CERTIFICATES are available for purchase in any amount. We will assist you in crafting a special package for a friend, family member or co-worker. Please call the inn for more information.
  

• All cancellations with the exception of whole house rentals received with the required advance notification will receive a 100 per cent refund. Because this is a small bed and breakfast inn, cancellations greatly affect us. We will try our best to rebook your room. If we are unable to rebook your room you will be charged one night's room rate
  • 72 hours prior to arrival: All regular, non-event, non-holiday periods
  • 14 days prior to arrival: Graduations, special events, holiday weekends, the week between Christmas and New Year's Day.
  • 21 days prior to arrival: Three or four rooms visiting together
• Notification of cancellation must be made by telephone
• No shows will be charged for the entire stay

• All Guest Rooms are located on the second floor
• Well-behaved children age 12 and above are allowed. A parent or other legally responsible person must accompany guests under age 18 during the entire length of stay
• A home cooked breakfast is served each morning between 8:00 - 9:30 am. If breakfast is required before 8:00 am, a continental breakfast will be provided
• We do not allow pets. There are no animals on the premises
• This is a non-smoking inn. Smoking is allowed outside the building only. Ashtrays are available. We appreciate your cooperation! Fees for extra cleaning or repairs due to smoking in the building will be charged to your account
• No candles or other open flames are allowed in guest rooms due to fire and insurance regulations
• We do our best to accommodate guests with food allergies. If you have food allergies, please inform us at the time of your reservation so we may work with you to prepare a healthy, delicious breakfast you will enjoy.
• A small guest refrigerator and microwave are available in the dining room.
• Guests can be asked to leave for any reason that is disruptive to the operation of the inn