History of The Century House Hotels

timeline

1790: Stephen Van Rensselaer Family

It began in 1790, when the Stephen Van Rensselaer family paid a meager five schillings for several acres of Latham, NY property.

The land extended to Cohoes Falls and was soon rented to the Frederic Roff family at a rate of 25½ Skippels of saleable winter wheat, and four fat fowls to be delivered annually to Mr. Van Rensselaer.

1949: Jim & Dorothy O' Hearn Family

It was a beautiful golden autumn in 1949. America was surging in greatness due to the efforts of "the greatest generation.”

Jim and Dorothy O' Hearn, along with their children and extended family were busy fixing, painting, patching, planting, decorating, and sprucing up the Federal brick estate house from the early 1800's that was to be their new home and business dream - a restaurant.

"You're crazy for trying to put a restaurant out there Jim," said the unbelieving.

But Jim and Dorothy knew that the only way from New York City to Montreal was to travel Route 9 through Upstate New York, right in front of their new restaurant. Jim and Dorothy risked everything to buy this "century old" farmhouse in the middle of nowhere on Albany-Saratoga Road in Latham, New York. Nestled between orchards and farmland with herds of cows for neighbors, the O’Hearn family took a chance on the venture.

Jim, Dorothy, their sons Tim and Kevin and soon-to-follow, daughter Susan, moved in upstairs in the farmhouse and served their guests in their own living and dining rooms — offering a warm, comfortable ambiance with excellent meals and service that made you never want to leave.

From the very first meal, Jim, Dorothy and the family provided more than just an excellent meal at great value, they provided the experience of comfort and care for the body - and soul.

Guests and staff became part of the family, while The Century House Hotels became part of the community — a true "Public House" where friends could share a good meal, good company, and celebrate important milestones together.

Through their labor of love, the family grew the oasis to include larger dining rooms, banquet facilities, and ultimately the hotel and conference center with a pool, garden court, wonderful half-mile nature trail to top off the exceptional service from which the family business made its name.

The Present Day

Rooted in tradition and thoughtfully evolving for the future, The Century House continues its legacy as a cornerstone of hospitality in the Capital Region.

In 2022, the buildings, land, and hotel were purchased by Sunrise Management & Consulting, ushering in a new era of stewardship focused on preservation, reinvestment, and long-term vitality. With deep respect for the history of the property and its role in the community, Sunrise Management has committed to honoring what has always made The Century House special, while thoughtfully reimagining what it can become.

In 2023, this vision expanded with the addition of The Clocktower Hotel, a boutique sister property that blends modern design, local storytelling, and elevated guest experiences- further strengthening the Century House campus as a destination for travelers.

At the heart of our mission remains the belief that hospitality is about people and purpose. In 2009, then Managing Partner Colin DeMers of The Century House launched the Enjoy One, Share One program; an ongoing commitment to our community through which a meal is donated in each guest’s honor to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York for every hotel stay. Since its inception, this program has helped provide over one million meals to those in need, and it continues today as a defining part of who we are.

While ownership has evolved, our values have not. We remain deeply committed to treating every guest like family, creating experiences rooted in warmth, care, and genuine connection. Whether visiting for business, rest, or life’s most meaningful moments, guests are welcomed into a space where history, comfort, and heartfelt service come together.

For generations, The Century House has been the backdrop for first visits, milestone celebrations, weddings, reunions, and lasting memories. Today, we are proud to carry that legacy forward, creating new stories while honoring those that came before.

We look forward to welcoming you, sharing the Century Experience, and continuing to make a positive impact- one stay, one gathering, and one moment at a time.