The Shelter Harbor Inn is located on a farm dating back to the early 1800's. The original farmhouse, after numerous additions, has become the focal point of the Inn while the surrounding 200 acres of farmland has become the community of Shelter Harbor.

The Inn was first established in 1911 when Dr. Franklin Lawson from New York City purchased the property in order to establish a community for musicians. Dr. Lawson, a noted voice teacher, encouraged other musicians to visit the Inn and to purchase lots in the newly established community called "Music colony." It would become an ideal place for musicians and their families to relax between the summer performing season in Newport and winter in New York City.

By the early 1920's, Music colony had grown to include many non-musicians and the community changed its named to Shelter Harbor. The roads still retain the names of famous musicians such as Wagner, Handel, Bach, and Rossini.

During the 1930's a couple from England, Mr. and Mrs. Borsay ran the Inn. Mr. Borsay was an accomplished equestrian and developed a well known riding academy on the property. Many of our local citizens remember their early equestrian training from Mr. Borsay. Meanwhile, his wife was in charge of running the Inn.

During the 1940's, the Shelter Harbor Inn became a nursing home, but was later reconverted to an Inn by Mrs. Romaine who bought the property in 1950. She ran the Inn during the summer months for the next 15 years. Following this, Peter and Jackie D'Lude purchased the Inn and ran it for 10 years. It was then purchased by Jim Dey, our current owner, in 1976.

Much of the development of Shelter Harbor Inn began after 1976. The first major project was the rebuilding of the barn. This included six new guest rooms and a conference room. Following this was an expansion of the kitchen facilities, and the addition of the New Dining room. This doubled the seating capacity of the restaurant. The next project was the removal and rebuilding of most of the second floor with the expansion out over the new dining room. The last major project was the addition of the carriage house. These rooms brought the total guest rooms to twenty four.