Justin Rule wants Columbia to be a destination for visitors to learn about the town's rich history and embrace its unique charm. To help achieve that goal, Justin and his wife, Whitney, recently opened Freedom Home, an Airbnb located in a house built in 1876.

"I want this home to be a chance to bring people to Columbia to see the beautiful, historic town we have," said Justin, who lives in the town, owns a business downtown and serves on the board of the Columbia Economic Development Corporation. "Come fall in love with Columbia."

The Locust Street home was built by Civil War veteran William Hougentogler. Other previous residents of the building include Dr. Gardiner P. Taylor, who operated his medical practice from the home and for whom local schools are named, as well as a Columbia postmaster and phone secretary and a state senator. Most recently, the building housed the Jonal Gallery.

"At one point, this building was converted to a duplex," Justin shared. "Then there was a big renovation in the late 1980s that brought it back to a single home."

When Justin learned the home was for sale, he was intrigued but cautious. "I said, 'What would I do with it?'" But he and Whitney decided to take a leap of faith and purchase the building through Discover Columbia, a business Justin started in 2020 to promote the town, with the hope that the borough would allow them to operate an Airbnb. He got approval, and things began to fall into place. CVS, located near the home, provided five parking spaces to lease, and the couple got to work preparing the house to open. "It was two weeks of insane painting, decorating and running all new electric," Justin recalled.

They kept the home's original floors, the slate fireplace in the front room, original light fixtures throughout the first floor and an elaborate Roman labyrinth pattern in the dining room floor, created by the previous owners. Art on the walls includes a framed original map of Columbia as it was in 1894. The home features more than 3,300 square feet on three floors with 12 rooms and accommodations for 10.

Justin is calling the home Freedom Home to reflect the history of the river town, including its role in the Underground Railroad. Rooms in the home also honor the town's past, with names including the Burning Bridge Suite, the Wright's Ferry Room and the Bethel Room, which overlooks historic Mount Bethel Cemetery. "I want people to appreciate where they are when they stay here," Justin said.

Freedom Home welcomed its first guests in July 2022, and so far, it has hosted people from Ohio, Virginia, New York and Maryland - and as far away as England. When guests arrive at the home, Justin personally greets them to give them a tour of the house and recommend things to do in Columbia. "I want this place to be a blessing to the community," he shared. "It will benefit the town and all of the small businesses located here."

For more information on Freedom Home, visit https://discovercolumbia.com.