The Wilson House  Hotel

    The Meeting Room

The Wilson House, which has always been a hotel, was completed in 1852. It had 28 rooms and 15 bedrooms. The House had been slowly deteriorating for 13 years before restoration began in October of 1987. At that time, floors and walls were in danger of collapsing and there was water damage to the House. Much initial work had to be done just to preserve the building. There are 14 rooms available for overnight guests including a small efficiency apartment with a sitting room, loft bedroom, and bath with shower.

Restoration continues with ninety percent of the main house being completed. Maintenance continues and is more costly as more of the work is completed. The atmosphere in the House is very similar to the way it was when Bill was born here and that is why there are no radios, telephones. or televisions in the rooms. The peaceful, quiet spirit of the House is conducive to meditation, prayer, reading, or simply enjoying the fellowship among the guests and visitors.

Local groups hold several A.A. and Al-Anon meetings in the House each week. Seminars are held several times a year. The Meeting House, complete with fireplace, and one smaller meeting room, ensure that two meetings can be held at the same time.

All staff members living in the House are volunteers donating their time without pay to keep the House clean and serving the people who come to visit or stay overnight. People have arrived from many places to come on volunteer staff for a minimum of two weeks. A large number of people return on a yearly basis and several help out more often. To learn more about joining the volunteer staff for a short or long term conmitment, please call or write for information.

Restoration work, maintenance, and upkeep of the House are funded by donations. Since the Wilson House is a nonprofit foundation, all contributions are tax deductible. Many people have helped in various ways, from money to install an attic ventilation fan to coffee and candy; from blankets and spreads to an upgrade for the heating system. Some have given money for larger restoration and maintenance projects and some for the day to day operational expenses of running the House.It all works to help preserve The Wilson House an element of our A.A. heritage for generations to come.

The Griffith House, also part of the foundation, is located across the churchyard from the Wilson House. This is where Bill and his sister, Dorothy, grew up with their maternal grandparents after their parents’ divorce. The Griffith Library is located here. With the help of many friends of The Wilson House, a collection of books that the founders and early A.A.’s read are being added to the library which will benefit scholars over the years.