The front desk cordially greets guests as they walk in to the Governor Calvert House, which sits right on State Circle and faces the Maryland State House. Some walk right down the hallway to find a room with a fireplace, a carved vintage Victorian wooden table with a marble top in front of it and two chairs on each side, adding to the feel of the historic building.
Below it is a one-of-a-kind glass floor that exposes the remnants of Governor Charles Calvert’s hypocaust heating system from the 1700s, taking visitors back in time. It’s quite the getaway. But for some, it’s more than a hotel.
For the past 50 years, Margaret Bednarsky, innkeeper of the Historic Inns of Annapolis, has welcomed guests from all over the world and walks of life to the city. Her friendly smile, warm personality and pleasant approach only go to show that the art of hospitality comes naturally to her. This, too, explains why she’s called the grand dame of Maryland or hostess of Annapolis, making reference to her unique way of making visitors feel like family.
Embarking on her journey as a switchboard operator at the Maryland Inn in 1969, little did she know that she would be spending the next five decades attending to guests, making sure operations ran smoothly and making lifetime friends.
When Miss Peg — as she’s more commonly known — talks about her time at the Historic Inns of Annapolis, she can’t help but smile and share the innumerable wonderful memories she holds dear to her heart, often repeating it’s been a ‘wonderful life’. There were many ups and downs, but according to her, the ups outweigh the downs.
At age 90, looking back at her 50-year career, Miss Peg is ready to say farewell.
“When you love what you’re doing it’s worth everything in the world,” Bednarsky said. “It was a labor of love and I loved every moment of it.”
A Massachusetts native, Bednarsky had just moved to Severna Park with her husband and three children on the same year she started working at the Maryland Inn. One day, when she dropped off her kids and jumped on the travel car with the other moms to go back home, one of the mothers proposed that the hotel she worked at was looking for help during a management transition. Miss Peg accepted.
Her husband, who was working for the National Security Agency, died four years after their move. A difficult loss for Miss Peg and her children after 20 years of a happy marriage, she said working at the Maryland Inn was her saving grace.
“My coming here was almost a godsend because I had something to throw my life into to keep my children going and make sure they got everything they should have had,” she said. “It just seemed like it came along at the right time and I was able to get through that very difficult time. I always thought that’s what got me through and felt that it didn’t owe me anything, instead, I owed it something.”
Her children and work gave her purpose. This, combined with Bednarsky’s strength, perseverance and love of life, helped her carry on.
From the switchboard she moved to the front desk. Then, she would move to accounting. And in 1975, she became the innkeeper of all three historic buildings. This role would bring her many sleepless nights. But it also brought her countless happy moments, one of the most memorable being looking after guests who come to Annapolis to attend the legislative session for 50 years.
“It’s been one of the greatest, proudest moments of my life,” she said.
Bednarsky , who will be turning 91 in September, said she felt it was the right time to leave. But she also recognized that she will miss coming to the Governor Calvert House. Most of all, she’ll miss the people.
“My first group of friends were people who came to Annapolis for the boat show,” she said. “A couple of those families are still coming today and have become great friends. It’s like having a really large family and everyone is part of it. You can’t put a cost on that.”
She, too, will miss those who have worked by her side and shared many experiences with her. And they will miss her.
“She’s a true ambassador for Remington Hotels and the Historic Inns of Annapolis,” said Daryl Strayer, general manager of the Historic Inns of Annapolis. “She’s well known and loved by everyone and we will always welcome her here.”
Longtime friend Pete Chambliss, who met Bednarsky 49 years ago, praised her as an exemplary professional and mentor.
“I met Miss Peg on the third day I started working for the Maryland Tourism office,” he explained. “Miss Peg is the consummate tourism professional being a teacher, mentor, caring innkeeper, industry supporter, volunteer and leader on a local, state and national level. A shining example of what tourism and hospitality is all about.”
Jody Dalton, director of sales at Historic Annapolis, added, “Miss Peg is the most amazing person I have ever been blessed to call my coworker, my mentor but most of all my friend. She has done more for tourism in this state than most people realize.”
A lifetime achievement award recipient, Bednarsky will be missed by many.
“The Historic Inns of Annapolis have kept kept me out the chicken coop,” she laughed. “It has been a wonderful run, I would not have changed it in any way.”
