(Photo credit: HayGood Manor, Selena Goodwin-Hay)

Nestled on a sprawling 3.25-acre lot in Abbeville, South Carolina, HayGood Manor isn’t just bed and breakfast. It’s a piece of history and has been brought to life by Selena Goodwin-Hay—a woman whose journey is as layered, memorable and inspiring as the 6,000 square foot Victorian plantation house she now calls home and runs her business. This is a place where she defines elegance, joyfulness, and authenticity can come together to offer guests more than just a place to rest after a strenuous day: they are invited to experience an unmatched connection to the past, the present, and unlock the future.

Dream to Reality

Her story is a combination of her corporate and hospitality passions. Before she opened the Manor, she was a New York restaurant owner, executive chef, and caterer. In New York, her career was centered around her love for hospitality, culture and food. It wasn’t until her visit to Martha’s Vineyard where her passion unlocked a career opportunity. “I knew I wanted to create my own space. I’ve always wanted to open a bed and breakfast,” she mentioned.

Her search for the perfect house had to be a home with a wraparound porch, built between the 1700s and early 1900s. When she found HayGood Manor, it was love at first sight. Dating back to 1883 and listed as a Historic Registry Site 22, the manor was the ideal home for her to open her bed and breakfast.

Challenges and Triumphs

As the first African American woman to open a business in one of Abbeville’s historic homes came with obstacles. “None of the African Americans in Abbeville owned anything like this,” she noted. She faced scrutiny and some skepticism from not only locals who were unfamiliar with her home, but even those from her own community. However, she kept her eyes on building relationships and growing her business.

Memorable Experiences

Each room in HayGood Manor has a story—a reflection of her journey and the house’s rich history. With six bedrooms, each honoring a place and containing a theme, guests can choose from the Greenville Room, the Charleston Room, the Abbeville Room, and many more. There’s a men’s parlor room, a women’s sitting room, a den, and a grand dining room as well as ten fireplaces throughout the home.

 “Every room reflects what I’ve gone through in life,” she said.

The manor also represents her commitment to giving back. One of her proudest goals is partnership with the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Center, where she hopes to provide employment opportunities for individuals with visible and nonvisible disabilities as well as rehabilitated felons. It’s her way of not just offering hospitality but creating a space for growth and empowerment.

The HayGood Manor Experience

 “Guests feel its warmth,” she says. “It’s a home. It’s where they can relax and enjoy the scenery.

She hosted an intimate dinner where guests could dine in the comfort of their own rooms or in the dining areas for Valentine’s Day this year. For those who stayed longer than two nights, they were treated to lessons on local cuisine’s history.

Why the Manor

Despite the challenges, the heart of HayGood Manor lies in its ability to make guests feel welcome and valued. In three words, Selena Goodwin-Hay describes her bed and breakfast as, “Elegant, joyful, and authentic.” For those looking to experience a home away from home coupled with modern day hospitality, HayGood Manor is the perfect fit.