The Griswold Inn facts for kids
The Griswold Inn is a very old and famous inn located in Essex, Connecticut. It is one of the oldest places in the United States that has continuously served as a tavern and inn. A "tavern" is a place where people can eat, drink, and stay overnight. Three brothers started the inn in the late 1700s. It was named after the Griswold family, who lived in the area. Only six families have owned and managed this special place throughout its long history.
During the War of 1812, British soldiers took over the inn and used it as their base. Later, during a time called Prohibition, when certain drinks were not allowed, the inn still offered lots of fun activities for people who sailed boats nearby. Over the years, other old buildings were added to the inn, each with its own interesting past. The Griswold Inn was even used as a place to film scenes for a famous TV show called Dark Shadows.
A Peek Inside the Inn
The walls inside the Griswold Inn are like a museum! They are covered with many old and important items. You can see paintings of famous ships from the time when ships used sails and also from when they started using steam engines. There's even a special "Gun Room" that has a collection of old and rare firearms. The inn is proud to have the biggest private collection of art by Antonio Jacobsen. He was a very busy artist who painted many pictures of ships and the sea.
Food and Fun at the Inn
The Griswold Inn serves delicious New England style food. You can enjoy lunch and dinner there most days. On Sundays, they have a special "Hunt Breakfast" which has been a tradition for about 200 years!
The "Tap Room" is a cool part of the inn. It was actually built in 1735 and used to be a schoolhouse! Today, it's a cozy spot where you can get casual food and drinks. They also have live music and entertainment there.
The rooms where guests stay are decorated with beautiful old furniture from the area. While the bathrooms are modern, you won't find any televisions in the rooms. Instead, soft classical music is played, making for a very relaxing stay.
The inn is located very close to where the Connecticut River meets the sea. Because of this, the live music often includes sea shanties, which are old songs sung by sailors. During the holiday season, groups sing historical carols. At different times of the year, you might also see magicians, storytellers, and local artists showing off their crafts.
