1864 to The Library Restaurant and Bar

From an old farmhouse to Sapphire Valley's premier dining experience!

1864 Sapphire Farmhouse

The Old Sapphire Farmhouse

Oldest Building in
Sapphire Valley

The Valley's Oldest Structure: Built around 1864, the two-story weatherboarded farmhouse stands today as the oldest remaining building in Sapphire Valley

The Old Farmhouse

The Old Farmhouse (1864–1950s)Built around 1864, the two-story weatherboarded farmhouse stands today as the oldest remaining building in Sapphire Valley. The property was originally owned by the Jennings family and operated as a working farm managed by the Monteith family. The farm produced livestock, fresh vegetables, and dairy products exclusively to feed affluent summer travelers staying at the neighboring Fairfield Inn. After the death of E.H. Jennings in 1947, the surrounding farmlands were subdivided, paving the way for Gene Howerdd Sr. to develop the Sapphire Valley golf resort community in the 1950s.

Fairfield House Antiques

Fairfield House Antiques

Fairfield House Antiques

During the maturation and modernization of Sapphire Valley in the 1960x, the historic 1864 farmhouse served a memorable chapter as Fairfield House Antiques, an elegant shop operated by Country Club of Sapphire Valley (CCSV) member Joyce Davis. Davis utilized the valley's oldest remaining structure to curate a unique collection of timeless pieces, capitalizing on the building's authentic historic charm, center-hall layout, and original horizontal wood sheathing to display her inventory. By drawing in fellow club members and affluent seasonal vacationers, her business helped bridge the gap between the building's past as a nineteenth-century homestead and its future transition into a premier local dining venue.

The Evolution into
"The Library" (1990s–2010)

The restaurant's moniker pays homage to the original Fairfield Inn's enclosed "Library Lounge." Rumored to have operated as a private gentleman's club, the lounge was a secret gathering place for summer vacationers to enjoy drinks before alcohol was legally permitted in the valley. In 1992, the historic farmhouse was formally converted into a private establishment named The Library Restaurant and Club. Despite undergoing structural updates in 1999 to support fine dining, the house strictly maintained its historic center-hall layout and original horizontal wall sheathing. Following years as a premier hub for community gatherings, changing economic climates caused the venue to shutter its doors in 2010.

Farmhouse as The Library

The Library Kitchen & Bar

The Modern Revival: Two Artists (2016–Present)

In 2015, German-born chef Johannes Klapdohr, the former executive chef of the Old Edwards Inn, aligned visions with Marvin Gralnick, a visual artist and co-founder of the clothing brand Chico's. The duo completely restored the structure, breathing new life into the interior by applying modern whitewash to the original wood while filling the rooms with Gralnick's bold, whimsical paintings. Reopened on New Year's Eve in 2016 as The Library Kitchen & Bar, the establishment serves highly rated, locally sourced New American cuisine. Guests still receive their final checks tucked inside antique bound journals as a permanent nod to the building's historical roots.

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Sapphire Valley Historical Society