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The Inn was built by Colonel Moorhead C. Kennedy,
President of the Cumberland Valley Railroad (CVRR) and
Vice-President of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Colonel
Kennedy was a stately Victorian Man, educated at
Princeton University. He and his wife were loved and
respected by the community. Moorhead C. Kennedy passed
away at his beloved Ragged Edge and is buried at the
Falling Springs Church in Chambersburg.
Ragged Edge is rich in railroad history and was known
for its annual stag receptions held on a Saturday in
October every year. Guests were brought by private
railroad car. 100 to 200 guests were entertained at a
time. Sleeper cars were developed by the CVRR and used to
sleep the many guests. Guests included Brigadier General
Atterbury, French General Foch, and General Purshing.
Colonel Kennedy was awarded the Distinguished Service
Medal by the War Department for handling all
transportation of soldiers and equipment in France and
England during WWI. The French General honored him with
the cannon which resides at the American Legion in
Chambersburg. Other guests at Ragged Edge included
politicians, governors, judges, investment bankers from
New York and Philadelphia, lawyers, university
presidents, etc.
The Cumberland Valley Railroad
under Kennedy
management was innovative and one of the most financially
successful; paying a much higher dividend than the large
railroads. The railroad was a strong promoter of the
fruit industry and there were over a million producing
apple trees in the Cumberland Valley. Trainloads of
apples would run during season. The railroad annually
supplied the state agricultural department with an entire
train free of charge to tour the Valley with experts to
present exhibits and demonstrations on the best
techniques in fruit culture.
Popular entertainment at the turn of the century was
loitering at the train depot. In fact, life centered
around the railroad. That is where you would go for the
evening stroll, the latest gossip, or to gather with
friends. Towns would turn out to hear politicians speak
and once to view the Liberty Bell when it went on exhibit
by train around Pennsylvania. Trains were so vital, such
a part of America, that it is hard to believe that few of
us living today ever experience them.
Chambersburg had the first night baseball game in
history. The CVRR put generators on boxcars and lit the
playing field. Chambersburg was one of the first towns in
all of Pennsylvania to have electricity. Kennedy brought
electricity to this area and converted Ragged Edge from
DC to AC/DC current when the house was enlarged after the
turn-of-the-century.
Kennedy paid to have the creek hand dug so water could
be diverted into the swimming pool located across the
street by the stone carriage house. The mechanism
developed to divert the water can be seen from the
street. Residents of this area still remember the
swimming hole, recall the grand receptions, and enjoy
sharing their many memories of Ragged Edge and the CVRR.
M.C. Kennedy's Grandson, "Mike" Moorhead
Kennedy III, was a hostage in Tehran for 144 days. Louisa
Kennedy, his wife, received a Doctorate of Public Service
by Wilson College for her release efforts on behalf of
the hostages. They were interviewed on the Barbara
Walters show after his release. Another grandson, Tom
Kennedy, brought his family back to Ragged Edge for a
reunion in 1995. He lives in San Jose, California, where
I lived for many years.
I am the 4th owner and started
restoration, October 1, 1989, the day I bought Ragged Edge. It took
twelve of the hardest and most rewarding years of my life to restore
this turn of the century mansion to its former glory. While removing
numerous coats of wallpaper, huge chunks of ceiling crashed down on my
head and walls crumbled into dust. That was the first two weeks. There
was orange shag carpet glued to green linoleum, glued to hardwood floors
that had to be removed. Every wall, ceiling and floor had to be
restored. I repaired plaster ceilings and walls, stripped paint from
woodwork, tiled bathrooms, landscaped the yard and decorated the Inn. My
son, Steven worked with me and we are still trying to tame the 6-1/2
acres that surround us.
Our
Grand Opening was August 22, 1993. 1200 people came to
see the Inn. The Inn was up for sale at that time. It
looked good but the restoration wasn't complete. I knew I
was to do the restoration work, but was so exhausted I
didn't think
I would have the energy to do the bed & breakfast.
Well, the response at the Grand Opening was
over-whelming. Everyone seemed to love the mansion. A
friend of the Kennedy's who had been to the house many
times while Moorhead was still living told me that M.C.
would think the mansion was more beautiful today than
when he built it. That was all I had to hear. I took the
Inn off the market, finished the restoration, and most
important, have enjoyed the many guests who have come to
stay here.
We have many beautiful Victorian gift items, candles,
jewelry, angels, Santas and dolls for sale. Items are
throughout the Inn and on the walls. If you aren't sure
if something is for sale, just ask.
Every year we would have a candlelight tour to benefit
Women In Need. As many as 3000 people showed up to tour
the Inn by soft candle and Christmas tree light.
Donations for WIN were collected at the door. I opened my
home and shared it with everyone on this night in hopes
that everyone that came would open their hearts and give
to help victims of all types of abuse. We know longer
have the tour. Neighbors complained about the traffic.
We do participate in the
Gettysburg Christmas Bed
& Breakfast tour every year. Guests staying with us
receive free tickets ($10 + value) to tour the Angelic
Inn and the other bed & breakfasts on the tour. Each
establishment provides a demonstration, talk, etc. and
you can try to make them all or pick and choose. The
Angelic Inn will open the Doll Gallery to visitors and
share an incredible collection of antique and new dolls,
all decked out for Christmas. Call for reservations. We
can accommodate groups, doll clubs, etc.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas every day!
Come stay with us at the Angelic Inn at Ragged
Edge . . .
Darlene
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