Meet the Innkeeper at The White Oak Inn

Ready to Welcome You to Ohio’s Amish Country

I’m Yvonne Martin and along with my loyal four-legged companion Bentley am delighted to welcome you to The White Oak Inn. 

Together with my husband Ian, I purchased the inn in 1992.  Ian’s background in sales and public relations made him an ideal host. He loved nothing more than to join guests in the inn dining room after meals, carrying his oversized coffee mug or a glass of red wine and sharing stories and experiences.  He also played drums in a local blues band.   

I grew up in Scotland and Canada.  From a very early age, I loved to play in the kitchen.  I learned to cook at my grandmother’s side, always with a focus on fresh home-grown and local ingredients.  While my ultimate career would take me into finance and investments (I was one of the first female bond traders in Toronto, Canada), I always turned to food, cooking, and entertaining people as my stress relievers.   

After Ian was involved in a serious car accident and we both experienced corporate burnout, we decided to find a business opportunity we could work in together, doing things we truly enjoyed.  That’s what led us to innkeeping. 

An inn just wouldn’t be the same without an official inn dog, and we have been lucky enough to have had three delightful Labrador Retrievers to fill that role.  Bentley, the latest, is just out of puppyhood and trying to fill the rather large paws of Rocky and Dougal. He takes his job very seriously, never missing an opportunity for belly rubs or walks.   

In 2008, along with seven innkeeper friends I became one of The Eight Broads in The Kitchen.  We started a food blog, acted as educators and consultants in the innkeeping industry and produced three cookbooks, all of which can be purchased at the inn.  You’ll get to enjoy some of my favorite recipes from these books during your stay at the inn. 

Sadly, Ian passed away in early 2026. While his presence is greatly missed, I, along with Bentley and our staff, continue to offer a warm welcome, gracious hospitality, and the delicious food that has kept regular guests returning time and time again. We hope to see you soon! 

Updates, Improvements, and Additions

Through the years, we’ve changed many things about our Ohio bed & breakfast. Each of the rooms has been lovingly upgraded and improved, including adding a two-person whirlpool tub to the ground-floor guest room. In 2002, we designed and built the two luxury log cabin cottages, increasing the guest capacity and charm of our inn. A wedding gazebo was added to the garden in 2008, and the historic barn was rehabbed the same year. Hosting small weddings, elopements, and vow renewals became a cornerstone of our business. It has been an honor to be included in so many of our guests’ special occasions, celebrations, and milestones. We have also created many special programs and events at the inn, including murder mysteries, a Dickens Christmas Carol event, and Oakstock – a fun celebration of food and music. 

Four-Legged Innkeepers

Shortly after arriving at the inn, we were given a housewarming gift of a small black Labrador puppy. Rocky was to become the inn’s ambassador for 14 years and was a favorite of all our guests. He was only the first of many beloved pets to come, including Buster, an abandoned baby lamb who blossomed into a 350-lb. sheep due to all the gummy bears and cracker treats fed to him by guests. Dougal, another Black Labrador puppy, came home from the dog shelter at Christmastime in 2009 and was with us until 2023.

Fast forward to April 2024, when Bentley, another black lab mix, romped into our lives—enthusiastically stealing shoes and unguarded toilet rolls. Today, he eagerly awaits guests at the front door and insists on being the first to say “hello”. 

Our Hobbies and Passions

Ian’s former profession as a drummer has led to many convivial evenings spent with guests talking about music and listening to favorite tunes.

Yvonne has always loved to cook, and owning an inn has provided a wonderful outlet for her to demonstrate her talent and improve her skills. Ian had limited culinary experience when we bought the inn, but he has proved to be very talented and creative at baking cakes for our evening desserts.

On our website, you will find our blog—which has carefully curated information about area attraction and some of our favorite things to do. It is important to us that each guest gets the most out of their stay. If you are looking for epic hiking and or authentic Amish country experience, we have you covered. For those who want to rest, relax, and unwind, we can help with that also.

The Fun Continues

As we approach our 34th year as innkeepers, we can’t believe how quickly the time has passed. We’ve made many, many wonderful friends. We have a storehouse of amazing memories and have had the great privilege of sharing in so many special moments in others’ lives. The original building that houses our Ohio bed & breakfast had its 110th birthday in 2025. We hope it’s still welcoming guests to a peaceful and tranquil haven in the country for another century. And it is our great privilege to be a part of its history as caretakers and innkeepers.

Browse Our Accommodations and Book Your Stay Today!

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