Today we’d like to introduce you to Hilari Rinehart.
Hilari, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
For me, the path to owning Brampton 1860 started long before I ever signed the papers. As a 2001 graduate of Purdue’s Daniels School of Management Executive MBA Program, I had always been drawn to the idea of owning a business and creating something that felt personal—something rooted in strategy, service, and a real sense of place.
A lot of that came from traveling with my husband, David Rinehart. Over the years, we stayed at all kinds of places—from big resorts to boutique inns and bed-and-breakfasts—and I saw how much a thoughtful hospitality experience could really stay with you. Those trips had such a positive effect on our lives that we started thinking seriously about what it might look like to create that same feeling for other people.
I had felt for a long time that owning a business would eventually be part of my story, which is one of the reasons I chose my academic path in the first place. After making meaningful progress in my career, I found myself thinking about the next adventure in life and realizing I wanted to try my hand at small business ownership.
The opportunity came along in a way that felt especially meaningful. David and I already knew and loved Brampton 1860 as guests, and we had been coming back for years because of the tranquility of the inn, the beauty of the area, and the kindness of the staff. Then, during one of our stays, we overheard the staff talking about the fact that the inn was for sale and worrying about what might happen to it. In that moment, the decision did not feel hard at all.
Today, David and I own Brampton 1860, a beautiful estate-like property set on 35 acres, with an inn that includes seven guest rooms and suites, plus six separate cottages across the grounds. From the beginning, our goal was simple: preserve everything we loved about the property while continuing to build on its reputation for warmth, beauty, and exceptional guest experiences.
As we stepped into ownership, I found myself drawing on the business foundation I had spent years building. My experience taught me structure, discipline, and an understanding of all the pieces needed to run a business well—HR, accounting, marketing, operations, and the management of both resources and processes.
Since taking ownership, David and I have worked steadily to shape Brampton 1860 into the kind of destination we always imagined—a place where historic charm, natural beauty, and personalized hospitality all come together in a way people really remember.
Over the past several years, that vision has really started to take shape. We’ve been able to accomplish some ambitious goals for both the business and the property, balancing preservation with reinvention in a way that honors Brampton’s history while expanding what it can offer guests.
That work has included developing experiential stay packages, reimagining the gardens, planting new trees and bushes, and creating a seamless outdoor event space we call the Renaissance Terrace Garden. We’ve also created curated experiences and events for local residents who may never have enjoyed the beauty and tranquility of the Brampton before. The inn has been here for more than 35 years, and I’m always amazed by how many people tell us they’ve known about it for years but never actually visited—it really is a hidden gem.
For me, this story is still very much unfolding. What started as a long-held entrepreneurial goal has turned into a shared venture with David—one built around preservation, hospitality, and the belief that special places can create truly meaningful experiences. As we look ahead, what excites me most is continuing to shape Brampton 1860 into the kind of oasis people truly want to escape to. We have so many plans still in motion, from more cottages to the continued enhancement of the property, and one of the most exciting is the event barn, which is already starting to take shape. It will allow us to offer full-property rentals where families can come together for multi-day celebrations like weddings and family reunions, and it will also create space for groups and businesses to gather clients and staff for meaningful retreats—whether centered on team-building, learning, or health and wellness.
And for me, that vision extends well beyond a single property. What we’re building at Brampton 1860 feels like the beginning of something much larger—a hospitality portfolio shaped by the same sense of history, beauty, and intentional service. We already have our eyes on another historic East Coast property, a French chateau or two, and a tropical destination, all chosen with the same goal in mind: to create places defined by natural beauty, historic charm, curated experiences, and above all, the exceptional hospitality our guests have come to expect from us.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It certainly has not always been a smooth road, although I think that is true of anything worth building. Owning and running a property like Brampton 1860 means balancing the romance people see on the outside with the very real day-to-day demands behind the scenes. There have been challenges in preserving a historic property while also modernizing it thoughtfully, in managing the operational side of the business, and in making sure we continue to meet the level of excellence our guests expect. Like any small business, there are also the constant realities of staffing, resource allocation, seasonality, and making strategic decisions that support both the immediate needs of the business and the long-term vision. But for me, those struggles have never been discouraging so much as clarifying. They have required patience, resilience, and a willingness to keep learning, and in many ways they have made what we are building here feel even more meaningful.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Brampton 1860?
I always tell people that Brampton 1860 is more than an inn — it’s a 35‑acre refuge where you can finally let go of the stress of day-to-day life. When Dave and I stepped into stewardship of this historic estate, our goal wasn’t just to preserve a beautiful property. It was to create a place where people feel cared for, unrushed, and genuinely welcomed. Everything we do is rooted in that intention.
We specialize in restorative, luxury‑minded hospitality. That means chef‑prepared breakfasts, fireplaces that actually get used, cottages tucked into gardens, soaking tubs, quiet porches, and long walks through meadows. Guests come to us for anniversaries, elopements, creative retreats, midweek resets — moments when they want to slow down and reconnect with themselves or each other. We’re known for making people feel instantly at ease. There’s no pretense here. Just warmth, comfort, and a sense of place that’s deeply tied to Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
A few things set us apart from other. First, the history. Brampton is an 1860 manor house with original architecture, old‑growth trees, and a landscape that feels like it’s been waiting for you. But we’ve paired that history with modern comforts and a level of service that feels effortless.
Second, the way we lead. Dave and I believe in relational stewardship — guiding with presence, clarity, and care. Guests feel that. They feel the intention behind the details, the creativity in our offerings, the warmth in our communication. Even our cat, Squeaky, has become part of the Brampton story. There’s personality here. There’s heart.
And third, the experience. We’ve worked hard behind the scenes to make stays seamless. From curated amenities to all‑inclusive packages to thoughtful touches throughout the property, we want guests to simply arrive and relax.
I’m proud that we’ve revitalized a historic property without losing its soul. We’ve honored its legacy while making it relevant and resonant for today’s traveler.
I’m proud of the brand voice we’ve built — warm, human, a little playful, and deeply rooted in place. It reflects who we are and how we care for people. And I’m proud that guests leave feeling restored. That’s the highest compliment we can receive.
I want them to know that Brampton 1860 is a place to slow down. To celebrate. To reconnect. To savor the beauty of the Eastern Shore. Whether you’re planning an intimate wedding, a romantic weekend, or a quiet midweek escape, we’ve created an experience that’s both luxurious and deeply human.
Every stay is intentional. Every detail is considered. And every guest is welcomed like a friend.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is creating a place where people feel genuinely cared for. Not in a scripted, hospitality industry way, but in a human way — the kind of care that makes someone breathe a little deeper the moment they arrive. Brampton 1860 has always had a soul, and my job is to honor that. I want every guest to feel the intention behind what we do: the quiet mornings, the warm breakfasts, the thoughtful touches, the sense that nothing is rushed and nothing is performative.
Stewardship is at the heart of it. Stewardship of this historic property, of the land, of the guest experience, and of the team who helps bring it all to life. I believe leadership is relational — it’s about presence, clarity, creativity, and care. When those things are in place, people feel safe to relax, to celebrate, to reconnect, to be themselves.
I’m also deeply motivated by the idea of preserving something beautiful while making it relevant for today. Brampton is 160 years old, but it’s not a museum. It’s a living, breathing place where history and modern comfort meet. Being able to shepherd that — to protect its legacy while shaping its future — is something I take seriously and personally.
And finally, what matters most is the emotional imprint we leave. Guests may forget the thread count or the menu details, but they remember how they felt here. If they leave restored, lighter, more connected, or simply more themselves, then we’ve done our work well. That’s what drives Dave and I every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bramptoninn.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bramptoninn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bramptoninn/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BramptonBedandBreakfastInn
Image Credits
Jumping Rocks Photography; Better Living
