From Windsor Castle to Sunday Morning at Savannah’s

From Windsor Castle to Sunday Morning at Savannah’s: The History of a New Windsor Landmark

By David Buie

At 111 South Springdale Avenue in New Windsor, a property has carried many names and purposes over the past 180 years. Today, it is known as Sunday Morning at Savannah’s, a coffeehouse, day spa, and inn operated by Savannah Mitchell. But its story begins long before the smell of freshly roasted coffee beans filled its halls.

The earliest chapter dates to around 1842, when a simple log cabin was built on farmland just south of the town center. At that time, New Windsor was a modest Carroll County community. Over the decades, the cabin was expanded and absorbed into a larger structure. By the late 19th century, it had become what some described as a colonial-style mansion. Remarkably, the original log construction pieces were preserved within the walls, offering a visible link to its earliest days.

The property became known locally as “Windsor Castle,” a nickname that played off the town’s name and the home’s impressive stature. By the early 20th century, it operated as the Windsor Castle Inn, catering to visitors when New Windsor was a popular summer resort town. Guests came by rail or carriage to enjoy the countryside, and the inn served as a convenient country hotel and tavern. Prohibition, enacted in 1920, ended its days as a tavern, and by the mid-1920s, the once-bustling stopover had grown quiet.

For much of the mid-20th century, the home has functioned as a private or boarding house. Over time, the vast estate that once measured more than 1,000 acres was gradually subdivided. By the late 1900s, only a few acres remained with the house, though the building retained its stately character.

A significant change arrived in 1995, when new owners purchased the property and set about restoring it. Five years later, it reopened as the Yellow Turtle Inn, a bed-and-breakfast. Guests appreciated its blend of Victorian charm and rustic authenticity. Exposed log walls reminded visitors of its frontier past, while its wraparound porch and Colonial Revival touches reflected later expansions. The inn became known for cozy stays, brunches, small weddings, and retreats.

In 2016, the property underwent extensive renovation and rebranded as Seasons at Magnolia Manor, a name inspired by the magnolia trees that adorned the grounds. A banquet hall and outdoor decks were added, allowing the venue to host weddings, receptions, and community events. It was one of the region’s popular wedding destinations for several years. Yet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and shifting markets eventually led to its closure in 2022.

Like many historic inns, the house developed a reputation for folklore. Guests and staff occasionally reported unexplained flickering lights or the vision of a woman in white on the upper floors. Though anecdotal and never verified, these tales added to its mystique and earned it a place in some regional “haunted inn” guides.

In 2025, Savannah Mitchell reborn the property as Sunday Morning at Savannah’s. Mitchell distinguished the new chapter by serving curated coffee roasted from her selections, a feature quickly becoming a hallmark of the business. Alongside the café, the property also operates as a day spa, bed-and-breakfast, and event venue.

Today, the Magnolia Manor House is more than a commercial enterprise – it is a contributing structure in the New Windsor Historic District, officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its evolution from log cabin to tavern, inn, and modern coffeehouse reflects the broader history of rural Carroll County and the ways historic structures can adapt to changing times.

Looking forward, Sunday Morning at Savannah’s will continue its hospitality tradition and play a role in community celebration. As part of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, the property is slated to host special events marking the nation’s semi-quincentennial. In doing so, it will connect its long past with the future of New Windsor, carrying forward nearly two centuries of history under a new name and vision.

Photo Caption: The front porch of Sunday Morning at Savannah’s in New Windsor, a historic property dating back to the 1840s, now serving as a coffeehouse, day spa, and inn.