History

Sunflower Manor is a late-19th-century Victorian residence associated with Ira T. Clement, a prominent Sunbury businessman whose career reflected the region's historic ties to river trade and the lumber industry. 

Public records place the construction of the the house during Clement's ownership, likely between 1870 - 1890, a time of significant economic growth along the Susquehanna River. The home was originally used as a private residence and remains representative of the scale and craftsmanship common to Sunbury's most substantial homes. 

As a young man, Ira trained as a carpenter before moving into merchandising. He then moved onto the lumber manufacturing business, employing 125 people. He operated a mill and employed a sizable workforce, supplying lumber, furniture, and even coffins. He served as president of the Sunbury Steam Ferry and Tow Boat Company, which operated steamboat ferries transporting people and goods between Northumberland, Shamokin Dam, and Sunbury. His wife, Sarah Martz, gave birth to twelve children. 

In a later chapter of the house's life, it was adapted for use as a bed and breakfast known as the Riverview Inn, reflecting a broader trend in historic homes finding new life through hospitality. After the Inn closed, the building experienced a period of vacancy and deferred maintenance.

In September 2021, the property was purchased from the City of Sunbury by Rob and Juniper. They undertook a comprehensive restoration in collaboration with local contractors, notably Tony Wells Construction. The goal of the project was to preserve the home's historic character while returning it to active use. The property reopened to guests in August 2022, with the original Riverview Inn room names retained as a nod to its more recent past.

For a history of Sunbury: https://www.sunburypa.org/history