Seven generations have enjoyed the hospitality of the Wren’s Nest. Its history begins with Dr. Joseph P. Morris who was the son of Isaac Westar Morris born in Philadelphia in 1809. He built the Wren’s Nest in 1856 on the West side of the Tioga River. The house, known as the Wren’s Nest, was built from a plan taken from Architecture of Country Houses Including Designs for Cottages, Town Houses, and Villas  written by A.J. Dowling (1852).

The house was designated as a symmetrical bracketed cottage. The ground floor plan is practically the same today as it was when it was built, except for a few minor changes. There were two bedrooms upstairs on the East front with a hall leading to the back. It was known as the Inland Passage. Upstairs, on the West side, there was a large bedroom, two smaller ones, and storerooms. A woodshed and icehouse were on the northwest wing. The woodshed and the icehouse are now the kitchen. In 1898, the Wren’s Nest was remodeled. Two bedrooms were added where the passage had been. An attic was built above this. Electricity and bathrooms were installed inside as well.

Morris’ wife, Sarah, was involved with the Civil War movement and began writing a newsletter from her home (The Wren’s Nest) as secretary to the Civil War auxiliary. One theory is that the home acquired its name due to Sarah’s newsletter. The home remained in the family for five generations.

In 1892, Dr. Morris died and Mrs. Morris lived in the Wren’s Nest until her death in 1898. Mrs. Charles F. Swan, her daughter, continued to live there with her mother. In 1910, her daughter returned to Mansfield to live with her mom after the death of her husband Major James K.. Thompson. Shortly after Mrs. Thompson’s arrival, Mrs. Swan died. The Wren’s Nest was Mrs. Thompson’s home for the remainder of her life. Her son, Morris, and wife, Louise, lived with her from 1916 to 1926. After her death in 1941, the house was closed for a short time for slight renovations before her son, Morris Thompson, his wife, and family came back to live in the Wren’s Nest.

Morris died in 1961 and Louise remained at the Wren’s Nest until her death. Her daughter, Mrs. J.D. Walker (Peep) and her daughters joined Louise in 1973. Peep lived in the Wren’s Nest enjoying many years with her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends until her death in 2002.

James and Christina Fry purchased The Wren’s Nest on February 14, 2003, and began the process of renovating this historical monument into a casual, fine dining restaurant for the whole community to enjoy. The Wren’s Nest will forever remain a symbol of home and family.