Road Trip Close To Home: Historic Griswold Inn in Essex marks 250 years
The Griswold Inn in Essex will celebrate 250 years of continuous operation with a year-long slate of events.
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The Griswold Inn in Essex is marking a major milestone — 250 years of history and hospitality.
Owned and operated by the Paul family for more than 30 years, the inn has stood the test of time. Originally opened in June 1776, it is one of the oldest continuously operating inns in the country and has never closed its doors.
“We’ve made it through war, recession, depression, Prohibition — when we operated as a speakeasy — and even COVID-19,” said innkeeper and co-owner Joan Paul. “And yet here we are to tell the tale.”
The heart of the inn is its iconic Taproom, a lively space that reflects centuries of tradition. Throughout the building, history is woven into every detail.
The Griswold Inn features five unique dining rooms, each with its own story. The Covered Bridge Dining Room is built from salvaged wood from a New Hampshire bridge. The inn is also home to one of the largest private maritime art collections in the country, with pieces displayed from floor to ceiling.
Nearby, the Gun Room offers a striking piece of Revolutionary War history: a musket containing a handwritten note from a father to his son, dated July 7, 1776.
The note reads, “My dear son Jared, take this my gun. Do not handle it in fun, but with it join the ranks of Washington and make the British run, and when our independence is won, we shall take a drink of good old rum,” signed John Francis Putnam.
“It still gives me chills every time I recite that today,” Paul said.
For a more intimate setting, the Library Dining Room — with red leather walls, a fireplace and shelves of books — has become a favorite spot for romantic dinners and even marriage proposals.
In total, the historic inn includes multiple dining spaces, along with a wine bar and bistro that opened in 2005, offering a more modern culinary experience.
To celebrate its 250th anniversary, the Griswold Inn is leaning into its colonial roots with special menus featuring historically inspired dishes with a modern twist. The Taproom is also serving its signature “Revolutionary Ale,” while guests can enjoy Madeira tastings — a favorite drink of America’s Founding Fathers — and curated wine flights inspired by Thomas Jefferson.
The celebration kicks off with a special weekend in early June, featuring communal dining, live music, tavern-style festivities and themed tastings.
But beyond the history and festivities, Paul said what makes the Griswold Inn truly special is the role it plays in people’s lives.
“I feel like just seeing how much people enjoy the experience here, how much it’s meant to so many people for celebrating momentous occasions in their lives — we also like to think that we celebrate the everyday,” she said.
The inn is inviting guests to share their own memories as part of its #Griswold250 campaign, collecting stories from visitors across generations. Located in the heart of Essex’s historic seaport village, the Griswold Inn remains not just a landmark, but a living part of Connecticut’s story.
