The Benson House was converted into a two family home through the 1950’s and early ’60s. In the late 1970’s  the house was purchased by The Dutchess Ski Lodge who would use the home to house their ski instructors as well as ski equipment. The sister house that was located next door was torn down to make way for the ski slopes and a ski lodge.  When the ski lodge closed, the house was boarded up and left to deteriorate.

In 1985, the house was purchased by our neighbor, Andy Chiusano who saved the derelict home . The house was a six family residence until it was sold in the early 1990’s. The house once again fell into disrepair and was bought in 1995 by Darlene and Neil Caplan who  painstakingly converted the home back to a single family residence. "Even though we've lived here since 1996 with Darlene's mother, Virginia, our dog Polly and our cats[the pets stay with us in our private quarters],  we've always thought we would make our home into a B&B and we finally opened this year," say innkeepers Neil and Darlene. "We have a terrific location nestled in a private setting at the foot of Mt. Beacon and you can still see the old tracks from the Incline Railway going up the mountain from the south end of the front porch in the spring and fall before and after the leaves are on the trees. Please come and stay awhile. Get away and enjoy the peace and quiet, relax on the porch, take an afternoon hike, visit the DIA Center, go on a castle tour and dine in one of Beacons excellent restaurants. "   There are three guest rooms on the second floor and one large master suite on the ground foor. Please call for availability.
The Swann Inn of Beacon is five minutes to downtown Beacon and seven minutes to the Beacon Metro North Train Station . Visitors traveling from NYC by train, can  arrange [ in advance], to be picked up at the train station in Beacon by one of the innkeepers. Some guests prefer walking and there are also taxis waiting right there at the station.