Aurora, NY

Aurora, is a village and college town in New York on the shore of Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lake Region. Wells College, an institution of higher education for women founded by Henry Wells in 1868, is located in Aurora. It became co-educational in 2005, and since then enrollment has risen. 

As I walked the streets I could envision Atticus and Scout (To Kill a Mockingbird), Tom and Huck (Tom Sawyer)  and Fitzgerald (Great Gatsby) to be somewhere in the town where stately homes sit on the bluffs of the lake with tree lined streets. 

I did tell my daughter when planning the trip I was fine with whatever and we would just split the trip costs. But never did I expect this lodging splurge at the Rowland House. What a treat! 

There is an interesting story attached to this house.

Pleasant Rowland is a former graduate of Wells College. She is an educator, philanthropist, public speaker, entrepreneur and also creator of American Girl Dolls. When she was 46, Pleasant Rowland, now 78, created the popular American Girl dolls as a way to teach children about different eras of history. A former textbook writer, her Pleasant Company not only manufactures dolls, it’s also one of the top publishers of children’s books and magazines. In 1998, Rowland sold the American Girl brand for $700 million to Mattel. In 2001 Rowland purchased bankrupt retailer MacKenzie-Childs, based in Aurora, NY. After Rowland restructured the company's management team in 2006 and MacKenzie-Childs became profitable she then sold the company. Which now brings us to 2017. Rowland is  notable for her efforts to redevelop historic properties into inns in Aurora, NY. She has created a partnership with her alma mater,  Wells College. Rowland House where we stayed is named after her. Built in 1903 with over 10,00 square feet it has been totally refurbished inside and out restoring to its original elegant state.  

I might add it's a great place to sit on the veranda with a glass of wine and enjoy lake scenery. 

The following photo below is the last piece of property being restored in Aurora as an inn.

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A visit to MacKenzie-Childs, the home goods store formerly owned by Pleasant Rowland and Seneca Falls.  Trip bonus-a special bridge with a jingle bell.