History

In 1912 James Robinson and his wife purchased a piece of the property known as Sheldrake Point from Mr. and Mrs. Everett. At that time there was a small house on the property which Mr. and Mrs. Robinson had removed. In 1912 they began construction on the new home, a beautiful 3 story stucco house. The family lived in Ithaca and used the home for summer and weekend getaways. In 1942 the cost of living increased and the Robinsons found it necessary to rent out rooms to invited guests, most of these guests were doctors from the Sampson Air Base.

At this time Mrs. Robinson called the establishment “Robindale”. Then, in 1946 Mrs. Robinson’s daughter Emily, and her husband Earl Brust bought the home and changed the name to the Driftwood Inn. The Inn consisted of 3 rooms, all sharing the same bathroom with a fourth room used as an overflow room. In the early years, Mrs. Brust served all 3 meals and offered dinners to outside guests. As the years passed, and other means for guests to eat out became available she only offered breakfast to the guests staying at the Inn.

Then, in 1993 Mrs. Brust’s granddaughter Tammy, and her husband Jim, bought the Inn. Tammy and Jim decided to call the Inn a Bed and Breakfast and remodeled the home so each room would have its own private bathroom. They proudly continued the tradition of the Inn, delighted to meet so many interesting people from around the world. Tammy and Jim created a warm and inviting home away from home which guests truly fell in love with and have returned to again and again.

In 2024, Tammy and Jim made the bittersweet decision to retire from the B&B.  In 2025, ownership of the Driftwood Inn B&B and Cottages transferred to Kevin and Jennifer Cornacchio.

Jennifer is excited to welcome and meet many new and returning guests!  We look forward to continuing the long standing hospitality at the Driftwood Inn B&B that guests have come to know and love!