The Rudolph Suite is located on the first floor, in the original part of the Inn, which was built in 1824. This room is great for parents with children or guests who need two full size beds. The room is also handicap accessible and has an oversized bathroom. It is decorated in an Amish motif with federal blue walls and coordinating accessories.
History of The Randolph Suite
This room is named after Zeb and Arabella Mason Rudolph. They could almost be called, “Mr. and Mrs. Hiram” because they were such beloved figures in Hiram. Their fine standing and influence in the community was with great regard. Both Zeb and Arabella were children of families who settled in the area in the early 1800’s, the Masons in Hiram and the Rudolph's in neighboring Garrettsville. After their marriage in 1830, they settled on a farm a bit north of Garrettsville, where their four children were born. They lived on the farm happily for the next twenty years.
Zeb Rudolph was very active among the Disciples of Christ and was instrumental in the founding of the local congregation in Hiram. In the 1830's, he also played an important role in the establishment of the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute at Hiram. (Later to be known as Hiram College). Mrs. Rudolph insisted her children have a proper education. It was at this time that the Rudolph's moved their family to a new home just east of Hiram Center. It was at The Western Reserve Eclectic Institute that their daughter, Lucretia, met James A. Garfield (the 20th President of the United States). '"Crete" and James were married in 1858 and made Hiram their home. It was not until James political career took off that it became necessary for them to move further north to Mentor, Ohio, home of President Garfield's official home, called Lawnfield.
The Rudolph's were known to an entire generation of Hiram students as “Uncle Zeb” and “Aunt Arabella.” They opened their home to boarding students and to everyone else in the community. Not only did they believe in hospitality, they also esteemed education and culture. It is not a myth that Zeb could read both Testaments of scripture in their original languages. Zeb and Arabella Rudolph epitomize the best of Hiram's heritage.
