Specialties
Enjoy a restful night of sleep with a delicious breakfast served at the time you specifiy (between 4 AM and 10 AM please). We serve coffee roasted nightly with our guests choosing the country of origin from 16 or more available. (We have several coffee pots - each room may possibly have a different coffee.) Heart-healthy homemade breakfasts and we attempt to satisfy dietary requirements if notified in advance. We offer packages that may include a packed lunch and/or dinner. Located 50 feet from the 17-mile West Fork River Rail-Trail we have 2 bicycles & helmets available for guest use - although we do not rent bicycles, we suggest a donation to the Lord's Pantry Food Bank for the use of the bikes. We have many daytrip routings to scenery, history, covered bridges, wineries, antiques, and more. We provide off-street parking for our motorcycling guests and escort service from the Interstate to the stable for our horse owner guests. Stabling available ONLY to Gillum House guests.
History
Established in 1996.
In 1911, Troy Gillum came to Shinnston as the B & O Station Agent. In 1918 he and his wife Anna, bought the house at 35 Walnut Street. In the 1970s, their oldest son sold the house to the Harris family. In 1994, John and Kathleen Panek bought the house from the Harris heirs with the plan to open a bed & breakfast. In July, 1996 the Gillum House opened with 3 second-floor guestrooms. We have had the pleasure of welcoming visitors from all over the world to experience hospitality in Shinnston. Members of the Gillum family have visited many times. Grandson Michael presented the current owners with Troy Gillum's original deed. In 2008, B & Bs For Vets was first observed here. Gillum House took B & Bs or Vets nationwide in 2010 so successfully that it is now being observed in the United States and Canada. Departing guests gave the Gillum House Bed & Breakfast its motto - Where you are treated like a Guest, but FEEL like Family.
Meet the Business Owner: Kathleen P.
Kathleen is a native of the nothern panhandle of West Virginia. In 1959, her Chicago-born Mother decided the family was moving off the farm and into town! Therefore, Kathleen graduated from Toronto High School in Toronto, Ohio, Accepting a job offer in Chicago, after 3 years she missed her hills so much, she started making plans to go HOME! Two weeks later she met widower John. She and her son married John and his 5 children in 1975. She worked in data processing full-time and part-time for a major hotel chain as a relief night auditor. In 1994, John offered WV as a reward for bringing up the children, In 1995, Kathleen ended her "24-year sentence" in Illinois. Since returning to WV, she has been involved in rails-to-trails, WVBBA, tourism, and the City of Shinnston as a former Councilman and now as City Clerk. She plays baritone sax in the Shinnston Community Band. The B & Bs For Vets program started in Shinnston in 2008, going nationwide and then international in 2010.