Dr. Charles Davis and his wife Emily built the "Cottage" at 1513 Beach Ave. in the manner of Renaissance Revival, styled after the grand palazzos of the Italian Riviera.  This 10,000 square-foot mansion was the first home built on the eastern end of the beachfront and took two years to complete.  Its unique steel framework, grand staircase, 12 ft. coffered ceilings, expansive public halls, and extensive use of wainscoting were only a few of the many features of this 23-room mansion built as a private summer retreat for Dr. Davis, his wife and 9 children.

Dr. Davis and Emily were world travelers, and their interests included real-estate development, the founding of the first Cape May golf course and research specializing in rare skin diseases.  The formulation of Calamine lotion is attributed to him.

During the early 1980s the "cottage" was transformed into the well-known Bed and Breakfast known as Colvmns by the Sea.  One of its many appeals was its oceanfront location, secluded enough for privacy but only a mile from the center of Cape May.

Restored to the grandeur of the Edwardian era, Colvmns by the Sea is today a magnificent showcase with all the modern amenities for today's casual lifestyle.