The Bykenhulle House B&B is a 15 room Georgian style manor house. Built in the early 19th century in the town of East Fishkill with high ceilings, formal living rooms and a large front to rear foyer for a well to do family of the times.
The house was built by Peter Adriance a prominent Dutch Silver smith. Peter was the grandson of Isaac Adriance who emigrated from Holland and purchased the first Adriance land grant in Dutchess County from Madam Brett in 1743.
When the house was completed, it was a wedding present to his daughter Mary Ann and her new husband James Wilkinson. Its eight fireplaces, twin chandelier living rooms, and cloth covered dining room walls provided elegance for the new bride and groom. The house is similar in design to Peter Adriance's own manor which was built in 1830 and is presently located on Beekman Rd.
The barn was built in the Dutch tradition with large pegged beams, one of which is over 18 inches wide and spans the width of the barn. The carriage house also located on the house was an original structure.
In 1853, Ivy Hall as it was originally called, was deeded to Cathrine Adriance's niece, Charlotte Storm Genung. Her sons farmed the property until 1907.
In 1909, Webster Wagner, whose grandfather co-invented the Pullman sleeping car, purchased the property. He remained here until 1929 when he sold it to Florence and John Bicknell. John Bicknell at the time was Vice President and later chairman of the Board of the U.S Rubber company. He renamed the property "Bykenhulle" which is the original Dutch spelling for Bicknell. The Bicknell's preserved and restored the property to much of its present condition.
In 1963 the house, barn and carriage house were split away from the rest of the property and sold to Robert and Dorothy Hier.
In 1972, the Bykenhulle House a six acre property was acquired by William and Florence Beausoleil, who at the time lived there along with their six children.
In 1991, Bykenhulle celebrated its 150 year anniversary and was listed in the National Registry of Historic places, it also formally opened as a Bed and Breakfast.
