Arkadelphia Life 23-1 - 63

BE OUR GUEST
Unravel on Arkadelphia's Front Porch
By: Joel Phelps | Photography: Dero Sanford
T
aking a curious step into the Captain Henderson
House, a guest closes the door to the modern
bustle outside and steps into the past. Greeted in
the grand lobby by ornate woodwork from floor to
ceiling, the guest focuses on a staircase that promises even
more grandeur. A woman in her mid-20s steps through an
arched hallway and invites him along for a tour of this majestic
Victorian inn.
An Arkadelphia native with an eye for fashion and Southern
charm, Addy Murphree manages the Captain Henderson
House. Addy and her husband Price, along with her parents
David and Karrie Goodman, entered into a lease agreement
with Henderson State University in the summer of 2022 to
bring the historic inn back to life. Murphree, 24, has admired
this two-story home for as long as she can remember.
Now that she has the pleasure of spending her time here,
Murphree envisions the Captain Henderson House as a
centerpiece for those visiting Arkadelphia for pleasure, work,
or planning an unforgettable event or reunion.
One of the inn's most notable features is the enormous
and inviting wraparound porch. This prolific feature is one of
many things that sets the Captain Henderson House apart
from other Clark County venues and inns. " I think it's the front
porch of Arkadelphia, " says Murphree. " It's the one place
in Arkadelphia where you can stay and really feel like you're
getting a homey experience in such a homey town. "
It's such a cozy place, in fact, that it was featured in
Southern Living magazine after a writer spent a few nights
tucked away in a nook-like double bedroom upstairs. The
writer journaled that the Captain Henderson House " stands
as one of the city's best-kept lodging selections. " The inn
boasts a total of eight suites where visitors can relax in
comfort for a weekend getaway. Downstairs is a bridal suite
that doubles as a guest room, as well as a double bedroom
suite that meets American Disabilities Act standards. Six
additional rooms upstairs await guests looking for a quiet and
cozy getaway.
The late 19th-century home is among the oldest homes in
Arkadelphia's 200-plus years as a community. " It's a piece of
Arkadelphia's history, " says Murphree.
For Murphree, the pleasure of running the inn is all hers.
" It's everything I've always loved - being at home, making a
home, and making other people feel at home - embodied
into one. " Guests who stay at the Captain Henderson House
are treated every morning to a breakfast purchased from
local bakeries, as well as coffee from an Arkansas-based
coffee company. Visitors are also granted access to all the
common areas, such as the grand lobby, music room, and
hallway study, and have 24/7 access to amenities such as the
kitchenette and coffee bar.
All your wants and needs are considered while staying
at the Captain Henderson House. " Expect to have a warm
ARKADELPHIA LIFE 2023 63
Arkadelphia Life 23-1

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