Our Story
The Thompson family has a practice of honoring, protecting and preserving land and historic structures in the area. Family members live in nearby farms and together, they have protected over 1000 acres. Their lives are surrounded by numerous loving pets including the adoption of dozens of animals in need and providing them with a peaceful home.
In 2008 the Black Bass Hotel was in desperate need of repair and was put up for auction. Jack Thompson purchased the property and embarked on a total restoration of the historic hotel.
Spearheaded by Laura Thompson Barnes, the extensive renovations were meticulously restored taking into consideration the original appeal and history of the building. The various dining rooms and bars were painstakingly redesigned to bring them close to their original integrity but with modern comfort in mind.
The original eleven second-story guest rooms had only four baths. Designing and restoring the suites was a true labor of love. Space was totally transformed to now house eight magnificent suites, all with charming baths and most with balconies overlooking the river or the village of Lumberville. A building across the street along the woods was transformed into the Baxter Suite, a pet-friendly cottage named after Thompson’s beloved Golden Retriever, Baxter.
Over 700 pieces of furniture and artwork were carefully removed, renovated and then thoughtfully repositioned throughout the hotel. These irreplaceable antiques offer charm and authenticity to the historic space. Laura continues to transform and guide the expansion of the Black Bass brand and surrounding hospitality properties.
In addition to the original artwork, the entranceway murals were restored by artist Mark Pettegrow. At the request of the Thompsons, Mark added two portraits to the original artwork, their beloved Golden Retrievers. Brothers Baxter and Munson now appear behind the front doors. When the doors are locked for the night, the brothers look over and protect our guests staying at the hotel.
Customer Service Focus - In 1969, Jack Thompson opened one of the first Toyota dealerships in the country in nearby Doylestown. Today, the Thompson family-run automotive dealerships, known for their visionary success and excellence in customer service, also includes two Lexus dealerships, BMW, a Collision Center, and Detail Center. This customer-focus is the core of the hospitality carried over into our restaurants – the Black Bass Hotel, Lumberville General Store, and the Golden Pheasant Inn.
