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The Bentley, formerly known as Vernon Hall, is part of the Grainger Hill National Historic District, which includes many fine historic homes from the early 20th-century. The Bentley is a outstanding neo-classical revival home that was built in 1913 for local businessman C. F. Harvey. The Bentley estate covers 13 acres and the Bed & Breakfast Inn rests at the top of an ancient dune which now provides an impressive graceful front lawn. A 700 ft long driveway beginning at Capitola Avenue and Herritage Street winds through lush White Oaks and a range of ornamental plants, passing by the north side of the home and continuing through a private drive to North Queen Street. This 16 room residence is symmetrical inside and out with a center hall plan and a 5 bay exterior. The architectural offerings include fluted Ionic columns, a monumental portico, keystones, block modillions, dentils on the cornice, pilasters, and Doric columns along the side porches. The almost 6800 sq. ft. floor plan provides 6 bedrooms, 5 full bathrooms, two half baths, 4 fireplaces upstairs and 5 fireplaces ground floor, a grand center staircase with mezzanine and two parallel stairs to the second floor landing. The Bentley has a full basement and a complete attic accessible by staircase --there you can find the grand ballroom (pine floors the full length of the attic). Remodeling The Bentley involved adding zone heating and air conditioning, fresh paint, and all sorts of repairs as you might imagine for a 90+ year-old home might need. The Bentley is simply beautiful and it has been a labor of love to preserve this fine building for posterity --there is nothing to compare in Kinston, 
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