Built in 1796, The Ship Inn had been functioning in virtually the same capacity for most of its 200-year history. Very little had been done to update the facility since 1964 when dining room and kitchen additions were constructed. The new owners of the National Historic Registered Inn hired Dever Architects to create a design that divided the Inn into two distinct restaurants.

The Ship Inn maintained the upscale dining for which it had been known. The historic portion of the building received updated HVAC systems and much more work that restored and maintained the beauty of the existing millwork, hardwood floors, and fireplaces.

The Lighthouse Grill is a more casual dining experience. Dever Architects redesigned the 1964 dining room addition to have the appearance of an enclosed porch using expansive windows. A 20-inch thick stone wall was removed to allow circulation between the renovated dining room and bar areas.

Dever Architects was also given the challenge of making the 200-year-old building comply with current life-safety and accessibility codes. Therefore, the side entry was redesigned and a handicap accessible ramp was added.