ALFRED, NY – A gift from an Alfred University alumnus and Board of Trustees member highlights a renovation project at the Saxon Inn, the University’s on-campus hotel.
Work is winding down on a months-long renovation at the Saxon Inn. Begun during the summer of 2016, the project includes a renovation of the main lobby and breakfast room. Other work included renovating a guest room, the Chairman’s Room, as well as corridors and stairways.
The project has been made possible in part by the generosity of alumnus Eric M. Bershad ’69 and his wife, Susan. Bershad, a University Board of Trustee member, is chairman and founder of Phillip Jeffries, a leading manufacturer of natural, textured and specialty wallcoverings. The Bershads donated the wallcovering used in the Saxon Inn project.
Kristen Karl, manager of the Saxon Inn, said work on the lobby and breakfast room wrapped up last October. In addition to the new wallcoverings, that portion of the project also included re-facing of the lobby fireplace.
Improvements to the Chairman’s Room (queen bed and fireplace) were recently completed and included new wallcoverings and furnishings and a re-facing of the fireplace. Karl said she hopes to market that room to new brides and grooms for stays on their wedding nights.
Work on the hotel’s public areas (corridors and stairways), which includes new wallcovering and paint, is almost complete, with new carpeting also planned.
Karl noted that Megan Freeman, an Alfred University alumnus, helped with the planning of much of the project. Freeman (Alfred ’04) is owner of Less House, More Home, an interior styling company. She advised on the features of the renovation work and helped choose new furniture and artwork.
