Life at the Inn...

Who are our guests?

As the second largest city in Maine, Lewiston offers atypical city life. I came from a typical large city with skyscrapers, rush hour traffic for miles, a staggering crime rate, and not many natural features in the urban landscape. In Lewiston, visitors get a unique urban tourism experience.

It is with a heavy, and yet a hopeful heart that I write this post. On October 25, our city suffered a mass shooting that continues to impact everyday life as we navigate the downstream effects of this tragedy. The shootings happened at two locations, a restaurant and billiard hall as well as a bowling alley hosting a kids' league. As the world carries on, we are still wrapping our minds around what just happened and how we are to move forward.  As our community begins the work of healing, the mayor has proclaimed today, 11/3/23, "Love Lewiston Day". Community organizations are showing solidarity and encouraging people to do the same, by displaying a blue heart and/or donating to help victims' families. 

As summer's warmth gives way to the crisp embrace of autumn, Maine undergoes a breathtaking transformation. You can find some amazing fall foliage photo ops all over Maine, but we’ve picked out our favorite spots and go-to places! Embarking on day trips from the Inn at the Agora allows you to immerse yourself in the stunning fall foliage. From panoramic vistas atop the Height of Land to enchanting waterfalls and scenic viewpoints, this guide compiles an array of picturesque spots that capture the essence of fall in Maine.

This is the story of one little kitty,

Stars and stripes fly high this week all over the country. In Lewiston, we have the Liberty Fest along the Androscoggin River. The twin cities will have vendors set up on the Auburn and the Lewiston sides of the river. There will be food, music, and fun for the whole family! The inn is not far from where the fireworks will be set off. It’s an ideal spot since it’s close to the festival but far enough from the crowd. I recommend exploring the festival along the river for an up-close and interactive experience and then returning to the inn. 

Inn at the Agora's memories of a rich past inform efforts to meet present challenges and build momentum toward a greater future. The story of the inn necessarily is a story of our community. From its roots as Kelsey Hall in 1850, to its transformation to a rectory and later an inn, these walls have taken on roles that shaped, sustained, and in turn have been sustained by our community. We are in a unique position to speak to the character and resilience of the neighborhood.

We are pleased to announce the grand re-opening of our family suite, formerly the McDonough Suite, now the Bates Bobcat Family Suite and Bobcat Den! We couldn't be prouder of our remodeled suite. After much anticipation and hard work, Billie's vision has come to fruition. Our Bates Bobcat Family Suite and Bobcat Den make a fun and fresh addition to our inn's unique character. The entire suite has been redone.

It’s spring in Maine and foragers are out in force to harvest a favorite delicacy: fiddleheads. In April and May, if you pass a riverbank and spot someone with a bucket or a tote bag scanning the ground, there is a good chance that person is looking for fiddleheads. Aptly named, fiddleheads are the curled up little fronds of ostrich ferns before they begin to uncoil and mature. These tender little greens have been a springtime staple in Maine for thousands of years. Generational knowledge teaches us that to preserve the tradition into the future, foragers must follow fiddlehead etiquette.

Today, like all the other days in the last couple of weeks, I watched guests hurrying in to get out of the rain. When they go out, you get the sense that they are bracing for a brisk walk, a bad hair day, and water in the shoes. Luckily one perk of being a guest at the inn is the use of our large umbrellas for such “precipitous” occasions. Still, I always hope that there isn’t a need for their use. Let’s get real, though, this is New England, and if you’ve got outdoor plans, sometimes our fronts affront.