An American Story of Perseverance: The Griswold Inn Turns 250

Fife & Drums, Founding Fathers, Candlelit “Courses in History” Dinner, Sea Chanteys,

and The Spirit of 1776 Stay & Play Theatre Experience

Founded in 1776, The Griswold Inn will mark its 250th birthday alongside the nation with a yearlong slate of events recognizing its role as one of the country’s oldest continuously operating inns. Having remained in operation through war, economic downturns, and centuries of change, we’ll celebrate the milestone with a marquee Birthday Weekend in June, bringing the spirit of the Revolutionary era vividly to life. Guests can enjoy fife and drum performances, Founding Father reenactors, candlelit colonial dining, sea chanteys, and more.

Later in the month, the Inn will roll out The Spirit of 1776: Stay & Play theatre experience in partnership with Ivoryton Playhouse.

“There are few places in America where you can step into history and really feel it
around you,” says Joan Paul, who co-owns and operates the inn with her husband, Doug, who grew up in Essex, along with his brothers Greg and Geoff. “Our 250th anniversary is a tribute to the people who have shaped this Inn, from seafarers and soldiers to loyal patrons, and an invitation to celebrate and experience history firsthand.”

2026 Anniversary Highlights

Art Tours

Home to the largest privately held marine art collection in the country, The Griswold Inn will offer guided Art Tours highlighting museum-quality pieces and artifacts amassed over generations. Led by co-owner and innkeeper Geoffrey Paul, these free tours invite the public to explore the history and stories behind the Inn’s remarkable collection. See Art Tours for event dates.

Gris 250 Birthday Weekend: “A Taste for History”

In celebration of its 250th birthday, The Griswold Inn will host “A Taste for History” from Friday, June 5 through Sunday, June 7, inviting guests to step back to 1776 for a weekend of immersive food, music, and storytelling. Festivities begin Friday evening as the Sailing Masters of 1812 Fife & Drum Corps welcome guests. The Inn’s signature Revolutionary Ale and 1776-branded burgers will be on the menu in the Tap Room, as sea chanteys fill the air into the night. The Gris Wine Bar will offer elegant pairings with historic wines such as Madeira – the drink favored by Thomas Jefferson and other Founding Fathers during the signing of the Declaration of Independence – while actors portraying historic figures mingle alongside diners.

Saturday evening continues with a colonial-style, candlelit “Courses in History” Dinner Party in the historic Covered Bridge dining room. Guests can enjoy live chamber music performed by a trio from Orchestra New England, a critically acclaimed musical ensemble, enjoy a show-stopping birthday cake, and visit with historic figures such as George and Martha Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin.

The weekend concludes Sunday with a culinary nod to the Inn’s War of 1812 history with a Hunt Brunch, commemorating the British Raid on Essex (April 7–8, 1814), when the British commandeered the Inn for approximately 24 hours and demanded a “Hunt Breakfast.” Sunday will also include a special Author’s Tea with Julie Gerstenblatt, who will discuss her upcoming historical novel Stargazers of Nantucket.

The event offers guests a rare early look at the book ahead of its official public release on June 9. Additional historical programming, birthday cake, and storytelling, will round out a celebration that honors both the Inn’s enduring legacy and the spirit of early America.

Summer 2026 & Beyond

The Connecticut Sea Music Festival, June 12-15

A traditional maritime folk festival celebrating the region’s seafaring heritage, presented in partnership with the town of Essex and local venues. Daytime events are free with donations accepted, while evening concerts are ticketed. After performances on Friday and Saturday evenings, there will be Pub Sings at The Griswold Inn from 10 p.m – 11:30 p.m.

Fourth of July Celebration, July 4

Experience Essex’s Independence Day festivities, anchored by The Griswold Inn and the Connecticut River Museum. Highlights include a special scavenger hunt, museum exhibits opening at noon, a dazzling boat parade at 2 p.m., cannon fire, and a culinary nod to the colonial era in the The Griswold Inn’s Covered Bridge historic dining room. The Essex Sailing Masters of 1812 will welcome patrons to The Griswold Inn.

The Spirit of 1776: Stay & Play, Thursday, June 25 – Sunday, July 26

As another part of our yearlong birthday acknowledgment, we have partnered with the Ivoryton Playhouse to offer a special hotel/theater package – The Spirit of 1776: Stay & Play –built around the classic musical 1776. The experience includes two preferred-seating tickets to 1776, an overnight stay at The Griswold Inn, continental breakfast for two, and a commemorative keepsake. Packages are available for select performances from June 25 through July 26, 2026, with weekday overnight stays starting at $350 and Friday or Saturday stays at $385.  Read more. Reservations may be made by calling the Inn at 860.767.1776.

Share Your Griswold Inn Story

We recently launched a #GRIS250ShareYourStories campaign, inviting guests to share personal narratives, photos, and memories that capture the spirit of The Gris across centuries. Submit your story, whether a few sentences to a page, along with any photos, to The Griswold Inn via email: stories@griswoldinn.com.