Some people have called them crazy. Frank ’89 and Amy Barwick Lesesne ’89 haven’t just admitted it, they’ve embraced their nickname as the “insane Lesesnes,” even starting a blog called “Lowcountry Inn-Sanity.” After all, who in their right mind leaves a successful career, good friends and decades of school and community ties in Atlanta to renovate, convert and open a bed and breakfast in Beaufort, S.C.? 

“I’m from Miami and have always wanted to get back to the coast,” says Amy, “but we really did some soul searching after we attend the funeral of Scott Stowe ’90 in Beaufort. He was one of Frank’s Sigma Nu fraternity brothers.”

The Lesesnes picked Beaufort because of the healthy tourism industry, and they picked Anchorage 1770, also known as the “Queen of the Bay” or the William Elliott House, because they fell in love at first sight.

“Our real estate agent tried to get us to consider purchasing an already established bed and breakfast in Beaufort,” says Frank, “but when we toured the Anchorage, we knew this was the one.”

According to the Lesesnes, Anchorage 1770 is probably the oldest tabby structure in the country. Tabby is concrete made from lime, sand and oyster shells. Anchorage 1770 has been a home, Civil War hospital, club, restaurant and now an inn. Keeping the integrity and beauty of the building, on the National Register of Historic Places, while renovating it to accommodate an elevator and 13 suites, all with private bathrooms, has been a challenge. Progress is slow, but the Lesesnes hope to open the inn to guests in January. 

For updates on the project as well as photos of the inn’s renovation, “like” them on Facebook at facebook.com/anchorage1770»

You also can read their blog at Anchorage1770.com»

By Jo Ann Mitchell Brasington ’89