Although the exact date that the inn was built is uncertain, it can be traced back to a construction date sometime in the late 1880's. It was built by W.A. Smith, an attorney, mayor and major land owner in Henderson County who also built the inn next door few years later. The inn's original name was "The Smith-Green House." In 1906, Mr. Smith sold the inn to Elsie Sindorf, who changed the name to "The Charleston Boarding House," reflecting the large influx of Charlestonians coming to Hendersonville to escape the low country summer heat and humidity. In 1916, the inn was sold to L.R. and Mattie Chewning, who made a major renovation to the inn resulting in the basic building as it stands today. The original two story Queen Anne architecture was obscured by a third floor addition and classic revival details. At this point the inn was a boarding house with thirty-two rooms and nine baths.

In 1929 the tariff for a week's stay at the Chewning House was $15.00. The inn passed through several different owners and names including the McMurray Hotel until 1985 when it was purchased by Fred and Marie Carberry. The Carberrys closed the inn temporarily for internal renovations and re-opened as Hendersonville's first Bed & Breakfast, renaming the inn "The Claddagh." The name Claddagh refers to a ring with a raised design of two hands clasping a crowned heart, usually given as a token of love or friendship. The word is a reference to a fishing village, a suburb of Galway in Ireland.

In 2004, the Inn was sold to its present owners who continue renovations and operate the inn with the traditional hospitality offered to travelers since the 19th century.