His Majesty's Bed & Breakfast History: The Bed & Breakfast Years

By the late 1990s, the old house on Park Street had already lived many lives.

It had been home to a pharmacist and his family. It had witnessed generations of Madison residents come and go. It had served as both a private residence and a place of business. Through each chapter, every owner left something behind, adding another layer to the story of the house.

In 1999, the property entered a new phase when Vince and Michael Loparo purchased it from Shirley Hardman.

What makes this transition especially meaningful is that it appears to have happened with Shirley's blessing. After more than twenty-five years of caring for the property, Shirley was ready to pass it on, but she clearly wanted the house to remain something special. The fact that she supported Vince & Michael's plans suggests she believed they would continue caring for the home she had loved for so long.

Like several owners before them, the Loparos also owned the brick commercial building at the corner of Main and Park Streets. The two neighboring properties had remained together through several generations of ownership, and that connection continued as the house entered its next chapter.

Vince & Michael saw something more than an old Victorian house. They saw an opportunity to create a place where others could experience Madison and its history firsthand.

For well over a century, the house had primarily been a private home. Although several owners operated businesses from the property, the house itself remained largely a personal residence. Vince & Michael envisioned a different future. They began the process of transforming the property into a bed & breakfast, opening the doors to travelers instead of just family and friends.

It was a significant change in the house's long history.

Instead of serving a single family, the home would now welcome guests from near and far. People would come to celebrate anniversaries, attend weddings, visit family, explore the wineries, or simply enjoy a quiet weekend away. The rooms that once belonged to generations of Madison residents would become guest rooms, each with their own stories yet to be written.

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The transformation involved much more than simply opening the house to overnight guests. The interior of the home still reflected many of the changes made during the 1970s and needed extensive updating.

The Loparos' son played an instrumental role in that effort. Through his work and vision, many of the dated features were removed or reimagined, helping restore the character and charm of the historic house. The Victorian feel that guests experience today did not simply survive from the nineteenth century untouched.

Much of it was carefully recreated and brought back to life during this period.

While preserving a historic home is never a finished project, the work completed during the Loparo years helped transform the house from a dated 1970s residence into the Victorian home guests recognize today.

Vince & Michael also left a lasting mark on the property itself.

One of their most visible contributions was the creation of the large garden area surrounding the house. Today, many guests know the property as much for its

gardens as for the house itself. The flower beds and outdoor spaces help create the peaceful atmosphere visitors experience throughout their stay.

Over the years, countless guests have enjoyed breakfast while looking out over the gardens. Others have wandered the paths in the evening, coffee cup in hand during the morning, or a glass of wine after returning from a day exploring the area. What began as a landscaping project during the Loparos' ownership became one of the defining features of the property.

They also gave the house a look that many longtime Madison residents still remember.

The cheerful yellow exterior with blue accents was intentionally chosen to make the house stand out. According to stories shared over the years, the colors were selected so visitors could easily spot the house when turning onto Park Street. It was a bold choice, but one that quickly became part of the property's identity.

Like every owner before them, the Loparos added their own chapter to the story. They respected the history of the home while helping it adapt to a new purpose.

In 2003, that vision officially became reality when the house opened as a bed & breakfast.

For the first time in its history, travelers could spend the night within walls that had already witnessed more than 140 years of Madison history.

The house had evolved once again.

Not because its history was ending, but because a new chapter was beginning.

One that continues to be written today.