Historic Homes in Madison Ohio: The Shirley Hardman Years at His Majesty's Bed & Breakfast

By the time Shirley Hardman bought the house in 1973, this historic home in Madison, Ohio had already seen generations of owners and changes. Families came and went, each leaving something behind. Then Shirley arrived - and people in Madison still remember her.

A Life Before Madison

Shirley was born in 1921, one of two daughters born to Anson and Nellie Hardman.

She grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio, where her father worked for the telephone company, eventually becoming a publicity manager. Her mother passed away in 1931, leaving Shirley, her sister, and their father to carry on.

By 1950, Shirley was still living in Shaker Heights with her father, working as a merchandise manager at a department store. That role fit her well. She spent more than 30 years in fashion merchandising, developing an eye for display, presentation, and the little details that make people stop and look.

That creative side would eventually find a very different home here in Madison.

Coming to a Historic Home in Madison, Ohio

In 1973, Shirley moved to Madison and purchased the historic home from the Johnstons.

And instead of simply living here, she turned it into something people still talk about.

The Curious Cat and Madison Village Businesses

Shirley opened a shop inside the house called The Curious Cat.

If you’ve ever heard someone ask, “Is that the Curious Cat house?” this is where that comes from.

• The house was painted green at the time

• Shirley lived upstairs while running the shop below

• Even after the shop closed, she remained in the house

It wasn’t just one shop, either.

Shirley also operated Distinctive Gifts in the bank building next door, where the original bank vault became a display for antique jewelry and crystals.

That building had already played a similar role in the house’s story. Years earlier, the Oberlys - who briefly owned both the house and the bank building - also operated a shop there. Funny how some ideas seem to circle back around.

Shirley didn’t just open shops for herself. We were told she hoped her businesses would inspire others who dreamed of opening something of their own in Madison Village.

When Vince and Michael Loparo purchased the bank building in the 1990s, it led to a friendship with Shirley that grew over the years. Eventually, they purchased the house from her and began its next chapter as a bed & breakfast with her blessing.

A lot of what we know about Shirley comes from the stories Vince and Michael shared with us, which makes this chapter feel especially personal.

We’ll get more into Vince and Michael in the next chapter.

A Collector of Stories

Shirley had a soft spot for history. She collected old photographs of Madison Village Park and historic buildings around town. Preserving little pieces of local history clearly mattered to her.

She also had a deep love for old Hollywood.

Her shelves were filled with books about actors and classic films, many of which are still here today in our bookcases. We’ve even left her small paper bookmarks tucked inside the pages.

We were also told she was pen pals with actress Deborah Kerr.

And yes, she absolutely loved cats.

Living Here, Staying Here

Shirley remained in the house until 1998, when she moved to a nursing home in Madison.

She passed away in 2006 at the age of 85 and is buried at Fairview Cemetery here in Madison.

But in some ways, she never really left.

The Pieces She Left Behind

When we bought this historic Madison, Ohio home, we inherited more than the building itself. Small pieces of Shirley’s life were still here.

• A few pieces of furniture still used in the house today

• Several of the vintage area rugs still in the house today came from Shirley’s time here

• Some still have their original tags attached with her name and purchase details

• A Bible

• A leather-bound notebook that belonged to her father

• A photo of Shirley when she was young

  
  

The Bibles are especially personal. Inside are handwritten inscriptions—names, notes, and messages written decades ago. Those kinds of details stop feeling like “old things” pretty quickly. They feel like someone’s real life sitting in your hands.

And then there are the autograph books.

Two of them.

Guests and friends signed them over the years, from the 1970s into the early 2000s. They’re still here on display at the B&B, filled with little notes, memories, and signatures from people who passed through Shirley’s life.

It’s a surprisingly personal glimpse into the home during her years here.

A House People Remember

Even now, people still connect this house to Shirley.

When we first bought the B&B, more than one person asked:

“So… did you buy the Curious Cat house?”

She clearly left an impression on people.

Shirley didn’t just live here. She became part of the story of one of the historic homes in Madison, Ohio. She created something people remembered.

Today, visitors staying at His Majesty's Bed & Breakfast are still surrounded by pieces of that history.

A Look Inside During Shirley’s Ownership

These photos offer a glimpse into the house during Shirley’s years here.