The Tomlinson Inn was constructed in 1809 and once served as an important stagecoach stop on a three-day route from Canandaigua to Buffalo, NY. In April 1830, the Church’s first missionary Samuel Smith (Joseph Smith’s brother), stopped for the night at the Tomlinson Inn. While having dinner he met Phineas Young. Samuel presented Phineas with a copy of the Book of Mormon and explained, “There is a book, sir, I wish you to read.” That single conversation in the dining room of the Tomlinson Inn initiated a chain reaction of events that led to the conversion of several future leaders of the church.

Phineas read the book twice that week and was convinced it was true. He passed the book on to his sister Fanny Young. Convinced of its truthfulness she gave it to her brother Brigham Young. Brigham gave it to his good friend and neighbor Heber C. Kimball. Before long many citizens of Mendon were being baptized, including Nathan Tomlinson the owner of the inn.

The Tomlinson Inn became a place of worship for those early members and missionaries. Many great events took place at the Inn, including one church meeting when a newly baptized Brigham Young said he felt that if he didn’t stand and say a few words his bones would be consumed with fire. He rose and spoke for one and a half hours - his very first sermon as a Latter-day Saint.

The Inn is located on a beautiful tree-filled five acre farm and surrounded by other great Church owned sites: Brigham Young’s Farm, John Young Home, Phineas Young home, and the Tomlinson Cemetery where Brigham Young’s first wife and many of the Kimball Family are buried.

The Inn has been wonderfully preserved and has had some modern comforts added along the way.

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