The American dream is often associated with homeownership, family, and living a “good life.” One historic home in Bristol, Rhode Island, offers a unique twist on this ideal, bringing a different kind of family together under its roof. 

The William’s Grant Inn, originally the home of the Bradford family in 1808, remained in their hands for 150 years, passing through several generations. In 1993, after leaving the Bradford family, it was transformed into a bed and breakfast, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary — though it is now under different ownership. 

As time passed, the inn became a home for a different kind of family when it transitioned into a bed and breakfast. Yet, the spirit of the American Dream still persists, as people from all walks of life come together under this roof to share time with one another. 

This is exactly what Elizabeth Miller envisioned when she and her husband Doug Miller purchased the inn in 2016. After Doug decided to sell his business, Elizabeth knew just what to do. “I’ve always wanted a bed and breakfast,” she shared. “My dad had a restaurant, and both Doug and I wanted to be able to spend more time together. Owning a bed and breakfast would allow us to do just that.” She continued, “Doug handles the business side, and I do all the cooking. We're together all the time now.” Doug smiled and added, “All besides maybe one hour a week.” 

The Millers made their purchase just days before the Fourth of July. “Obviously, there was a lot to change — it wasn't updated or cleaned, but we couldn’t get it done before the celebration,” Elizabeth recalled. 

When the Bradford family owned the home, there were no bathrooms in the rooms. So, when the inn became a bed and breakfast in 1993, bathrooms were added by converting the closets. The Millers have since updated both the bathrooms and the rooms. Each room has a unique theme and name, including one called “Bradford,” named in honor of the inn's original owners. 

Recently, renovations were made to the kitchen, which is one of the most integral parts of the home. It allows Elizabeth the freedom to prepare breakfast options for a variety of diets. “We redesigned and built out the kitchen, and we added a beautiful, light-filled dining area that looks out onto the private backyard and gardens,” she explained. 

Food for thought 

The real focus of the inn is the sense of companionship between guests and hosts. “My favorite part of owning the bed and breakfast is the people we get to meet. People come here from all over the world — somehow, they find us,” Elizabeth said. This is why the kitchen and dining area were expanded, providing more space for guests to mingle and enjoy each other’s company. 

Elizabeth has a passion for baking and cooking, offering a homemade gourmet continental breakfast that caters to all dietary restrictions — as long as she is made aware at the time of booking. She proudly shared, “I’ve had to make breakfast for varying diets all at once — vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, all at the same table — and I’ve done it!” The breakfast offerings vary with the seasons, but typically include baked goods, a breakfast bar, fresh fruit, homemade granola, and an egg dish. 

Guests can gather in various places around the inn, and they often do. The outside features a fenced-in backyard with seating and a fish pond. Guests can enjoy a meal outdoors or relax with a glass of wine. It’s a place for gathering — a feature that makes the bed and breakfast a special place to take a break.

Elizabeth noted that, despite welcoming people from all over the world and hosting guests who are in town for weddings, a significant portion of their visitors are local. “I would say about 40 percent of our guests are local, mostly parents and couples looking for a quick getaway. They leave the kids with their parents and come here to rejuvenate,” she explained. She added that these local guests often enjoy mingling with other visitors, finding a sense of community and comfort at the inn, like a home away from home. 

“There’s one big communal table where guests can gather when they want to get out of their rooms. The whole point is to be around other people,” Elizabeth said. There are also two coffee bars in the home that offer another reason to gather.

The recently renovated white picket fence surrounding the property symbolizes the ideal of the American Dream — a home for family to experience a “good life.” The Fourth of July is the busiest time of year at the inn, often booked years in advance, and perhaps for a good reason, as the home does, in a way, seem to stand as a symbol of the American dream.