We are Melody (Breon) Wright and David Wright, sister and brother-in-law of Melissa (Breon) Stover and Corby Stover, owners of the historic Woodward Inn (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodward_Inn) in Woodward, PA.

Also known as the "Stagecoach Inn", it was built in 1814 during the second term of James Madison, the 4th president. Situated along what today is Route 45 in central Pennsylvania, back then it was on a dirt road "turnpike" serving as a stopover for weary travelers for food, refreshment, and rest. Guests over the years included Thomas Edison and several U.S. presidents.

It was a functioning inn and restaurant for nearly 200 years, with many local families having either worked there or frequented it for Sunday dinners. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Register_of_Historic_Places) in 1978, and it is 1 of only 6 buildings in Centre County representing examples of vernacular stone inn architecture.

After it had sat vacant for several years, Corby and Melissa purchased it in March 2023 and began restoration in May of that year and continued until a fire totally destroyed it in the early morning hours of October 5th, 2025, with more than a dozen regional fire companies responding. Here are links to two of the news stories covering this tragic event:

The inn would have been (and, it is hoped, still will become) a valuable resource to the local community as well as visiting outdoorsmen, college football fans (Penn State to the west, Bucknell to the east) and other travelers.

Corby and Melissa were born and raised in that area, and for the past 2-1/2 years they have planned, designed, and labored to bring the inn back to life. They have worked with local licensed tradesmen and suppliers whenever possible.

There has been a heartwarming outpouring of support from the community, with the main concern being "how can we help save and restore the original stone structure?".

Renovation specialists have concluded that, upon completion of the necessary demolition, the original stone walls can be repaired through fire damage mitigation/sandblasting; repointing the stone; and repairing/replacing where intense heat damaged the integrity of the stone. Heat-shattered stone will need to be replaced.

This is Phase I to restore this historic landmark. The focus is on the integrity of this historic original stone structure, which is the main concern expressed by the locals.

Cost of this first phase is $125,000 to restore the walls. After that, the Stovers once again will assume the cost of engineering and construction to bring the Woodward ("Stagecoach") Inn back to life.

We would like to see their "Phoenix" rise from the ashes.

Thank you for supporting them.

Melody and David