E.B. Morgan House
BUILT IN 1858, RESTORED IN 2005
Once the private residence of Colonel Edwin Barber Morgan, co-founder of the New York Times and American Express, E.B. Morgan House combines luxurious modern aesthetics with the unparalleled beauty of an historic stone mansion.
E.B. Morgan House in NY offers seven stylish guestrooms—each with private marble baths, exquisite living spaces, gracious porches, and an exceptional collection of original modern art. Guests are invited to enjoy this Finger Lakes lakefront hotel as they would a home, with the sumptuous comforts of the library, parlor, dining room, and pantry.
E.B. Morgan House is best enjoyed in the company of other adults.
Please note that we do not accommodate children under the age of 12 without a private rental.
Deluxe
E.B. Morgan House Highlights
- Spacious parlors with fireplaces and games
- Butler’s pantry with MacKenzie-Childs pottery
- Expansive lakeside lawn with firepit
- Comfortable mahogany porches
- Complimentary glass of wine each afternoon
- Morning coffee & homemade granola bars
- Access to resort activities & events
- Complimentary parking
- Dedicated, on-site innkeeper
- Hi-speed wireless Internet access
- In-room safe, ironing board, blow dryer
- Bedside charging stations
- Flat-screen televisions
- Spa-quality bath products
- Down duvets & pillows; Frette linens
- In-room bottled water
- Plush robes
With the rental of all seven guestrooms at E.B. Morgan House, guests may plan private dinners and events at the home. View our private rental packages to learn more and contact us for pricing and availability.
E.B. Morgan House Premier Lake View
These spacious rooms each feature a luxurious king-size bed—outfitted in fine Frette linens—along with a comfortable seating area and a commanding view of Cayuga Lake. Each room features an elegant bath with marble floors, double shower, plush robes, and spa-quality bath products from William Roam.
Designer finishes and original, modern art complement the high-tech amenities in each room—including high-speed wireless internet, bedside charging ports, and a flat-screen television. In select rooms, a gas fireplace will transform your stay into a cozy retreat.
Your stay at E.B. Morgan House includes a glass of wine each afternoon; each morning, enjoy locally-roasted, organic coffee and homemade granola bars. For added convenience, each room is outfitted with a minifridge and complimentary bottled water.
As a guest of the Inns of Aurora, you have access to a wide range of activities and amenities, from yoga classes to our fleet of bicycles and kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddle boards and more.
Premier Lake view highlights
- 310 to 370 sq. ft.
- King bed
- Lake view
- Comfortable reading chairs
- Marble bath
- Wine & cheese hour
- Morning coffee
- Complimentary WiFi
E.B. Morgan House Premier
These spacious rooms each feature a luxurious king-size bed—outfitted in fine Frette linens—along with a comfortable seating area and a charming view of the village. Each room features an elegant bath with marble floors, double shower, plush robes, and spa-quality bath products from William Roam.
Designer finishes and original, modern art complement the high-tech amenities in each room—including high-speed wireless internet, bedside charging ports, and a flat-screen television. These rooms each feature an original marble fireplace with a gas insert, transforming your stay into a cozy retreat.
Your stay at E.B. Morgan House includes a glass of wine each afternoon; each morning, enjoy locally-roasted, organic coffee and homemade granola bars. For added convenience, each room is outfitted with a minifridge and complimentary bottled water.
As a guest of the Inns of Aurora, you have access to a wide range of activities and amenities, from yoga classes to our fleet of bicycles and kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddle boards and more.
Premier room highlights
- 365 sq. ft.
- King bed
- Village view
- Comfortable reading chairs
- Marble bath
- Wine & cheese hour
- Morning coffee
- Complimentary WiFi
E.B. Morgan House Deluxe
These cheerful rooms each feature a luxurious queen-size bed—outfitted in fine Frette linens—along with a comfortable seating area and a charming view of the village. Each room features an elegant bath with marble floors, a walk-in shower, plush robes, and spa-quality bath products from William Roam.
Designer finishes and original, modern art complement the high-tech amenities in each room—including high-speed wireless internet, bedside charging ports, and a flat-screen television. In select rooms, an original marble fireplace with a gas insert will transform your stay into a cozy retreat.
Your stay at E.B. Morgan House includes a glass of wine each afternoon; each morning, enjoy locally-roasted, organic coffee and homemade granola bars. For added convenience, each room is outfitted with a minifridge and complimentary bottled water.
As a guest of the Inns of Aurora, you have access to a wide range of activities and amenities, from yoga classes to our fleet of bicycles and kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddle boards and more.
Deluxe room highlights
- 270 to 305 sq. ft.
- Queen bed
- Village view
- Comfortable reading chairs
- Marble bath
- Wine & cheese hour
- Morning coffee
- Complimentary WiFi
E.B. Morgan House Deluxe ADA
With soaring ceilings and original wood details, this stunning room features a queen-size bed—outfitted in fine Frette linens—along with comfortable lounge chairs and charming views of the village. An elegant bath features an accessible shower with grab bars, marble floors, plush robes, and spa-quality bath products from William Roam. This room is located on the first floor and is ADA compliant.
Designer finishes and original, modern art complement the high-tech amenities in this room—including high-speed wireless internet, bedside charging ports, and a flat-screen television.
Your stay at E.B. Morgan House includes a glass of wine each afternoon; each morning, enjoy locally-roasted, organic coffee and homemade granola bars. For added convenience, this room is outfitted with a minifridge and complimentary bottled water.
As a guest of the Inns of Aurora, you have access to a wide range of amenities, from stargazing equipment to art kits, our New York Times bestseller library, and more.
Deluxe ADA highlights
- 345 sq. ft.
- ADA compliant
- Queen bed
- Village view
- Comfortable reading chairs
- Marble bath
- Wine & cheese hour
- Morning coffee
- Complimentary WiFi
History of E.B. Morgan House
One of Aurora’s most notable and distinctive landmarks is the former home of Edwin Barber Morgan, his wife Charlotte Wood Morgan, their children, and succeeding generations of the Morgan-Zabriskie family, located at 431 Main Street. The residence was designed by Joseph C. Wells of New York City (no relation to Henry Wells) in the Italianate style and constructed for the Morgans in 1857-58 by Samuel D. Mandell, the son of a famed local architect. The Morgans built the house for $50,000, a staggering sum in that era.
E.B. Morgan (1806-1881) was born in Aurora and attended the local Cayuga Lake Academy. At an early age he showed considerable business acumen, working at his father’s store in the heart of the village that was, during his youth, a bustling port. On the commercial dock that once stood behind the Aurora Inn, Morgan first met his lifelong friend and partner in both business and philanthropy, Henry Wells (1805-1878).
Having generated capital from the lake trade, Morgan built the Aurora Inn in 1833 and was an early investor in Henry Wells’ American Express Company and Wells, Fargo & Company, which included the stagecoach line that has become a national symbol of the pioneer spirit.
Both Morgan and Wells were friends and business partners with a prominent citizen of nearby Ithaca – Ezra Cornell (1807-1874), a self-taught mechanic and inventor who became the largest stockholder of the Western Union Telegraph Company and founded Cornell University. Morgan and Cornell invested in the Cayuga Lake Railroad Company in the 1870s. The train line ran across the Morgan property between the mansion and lake. Many homeowners would find this a detriment; Morgan saw it as an opportunity to monitor his investment. Reportedly, he stood with a watch and checked the train’s punctuality when it passed through his yard.
Morgan invested in a fledgling New York City newspaper. Within a few years, he held controlling shares of the New York Times. He supported the paper in its efforts to expose the corruption of the notorious Tweed Ring, which led to the arrest and imprisonment of “Boss Tweed.”
Surrounded by friends and family in his beloved home on Cayuga Lake, Morgan’s later years were increasingly devoted to supporting local philanthropic causes in the area of education, culture, and human welfare. He had a deep love for the people of Aurora and every year on the Fourth of July holidays, the Morgans treated the villagers to a spectacular fireworks display on their lawn.
Morgan was a dedicated supporter of Henry Wells’ dream to establish a liberal arts college for women in Aurora – Wells College – that first opened as a seminary in 1868. He gave generously to the college, including $100,000 to establish its endowment. He was a Wells trustee and provided leadership in all aspects of college administration.
Following E.B. Morgan’s death, the mansion became the home of his daughter, Louise, and her husband Nicholas Lansing Zabriskie. It remained a Morgan-Zabriskie family residence until 1961 when it was given as a gift to Wells College by John L. and Lesley Zabriskie.
It served as a residence hall for students studying foreign languages - only French was allowed to be spoken inside. E.B. Morgan’s former home was so conducive to the mastery of French that it remained in use for that purpose until the 1973-74 academic year. During that time it became known as French House in the village, a designation still used by local residents today.
French House was renovated in 1979 and has served as a college guest house for the last quarter century. The recent improvements made by the Aurora Foundation through the generosity of Pleasant Thiele Rowland, Wells Class of 1962, have restored the Morgan-Zabriskie home to its former grandeur amidst the timeless beauty of the Cayuga Lake environment. Thoroughly modernized, it remains a jewel in the crown of Aurora.
