The south end of Main Street in Mathews was packed with cars Saturday morning. Leaving their cars, a steady stream of interested people, natives and those who have moved to Mathews, made their way up the sidewalk and steps to inspect the all-new Callis House Inn.

This was more than your usual open house.

This was the occasion of a real triumph for those who love the old homes of Mathews County, many of which have surrendered to the ravages of time.

While the Callis House Inn is brand new, it sits in a turn-of-the-twentieth-century home that just 30 months ago was slated for destruction.

Local merchant L.M Callis built the beautiful home behind his Main Street store in 1908. He and his wife Montrue resided there for many years but eventually the Callis family moved on, the business changed hands, the home and its land changed hands, and the house itself fell into poor condition.

The present owner of the former L.M. Callis Store, the Bay School, announced early in 2016 that it would...