The idea sprang from the Belliveaus’ experiences staying in B&Bs on vacations in Ireland, Scotland, France, and throughout New England. When their youngest daughter left for college two years ago, they became empty-nesters with “an awfully large house.’’ Running an inn seemed like an ideal post-retirement life, said Linda, who was an EMT in 1981 when she met Brian on an emergency ambulance call.
The couple decided to invest in Fitchburg, their home for more than three decades. They had happily raised their two daughters here, love the community, and don’t want to retire elsewhere.
“You tend to only hear the negative things,’’ said Belliveau about his hometown. “People said we were kind of crazy to open here, because tourists don’t come here. But this is a wonderful community. I think there is so much potential for tourism here.’’
They hope to attract guests with business at the college and tourists interested in the Johnny Appleseed Trail of North Central Massachusetts, which includes several local orchards, Davis Farmland in Sterling, the Fitchburg Art Museum, and Fruitlands Museum in nearby Harvard.
In the coming years, they would like to be a way station for leaf peepers heading north to New Hampshire and Vermont.
Until now, out-of-towners have had to choose among a few chain hotels next to the highway. Howarth House is a homey, old-fashioned place where resident canines, Tucker, a golden lab, and Bear, a Newfoundland, welcome arriving cars (but are not allowed in guest rooms).
Both Belliveaus agree the most special spot in their home is the “fire room,’’ a glassed-in porch just off the main part of the house.
The room, which Brian created when they bought the house in 1993, holds a trove of firefighting memorabilia, including the helmet belonging to Brian’s father, Fitchburg Fire Captain James Belliveau, who died in 1967 fighting a fire at a local furniture company.
