Tapping into the Past: Tavern Life in Early Connecticut

Join the Essex Historical Society (EHS) and The Griswold Inn (The Gris) for this special program from the Connecticut Museum of History and Culture exploring the rich history of tavern life in early Connecticut. As this year also marks our 250th year in business, we are thrilled that EHS has chosen to bring this talk to our place!

“Taverns in early Connecticut were far more than just places to drink. For travelers and locals alike, they served as hubs of entertainment, news, gossip, good food, and overnight lodging. Taverns were an essential part of every Connecticut town and played a vital role in social and civic life” shares the Essex Historical Society. Our Tap Room still offers that same sense of community today.

Begin your evening by grabbing a pint or a hot buttered rum in our Tap Room before settling into the Covered Bridge Dining Room for this engaging presentation. We recommend arriving by 4:30 PM to allow time for parking – it’s free – and a visit to the bar before the program begins. As space is limited, advance reservations are required. Please call EHS at 860.767.0681 to make your reservation. Interested in dinner afterward? Please call us for reservations, 860.767.1776.

Fun fact… Not only does “The Gris” house the town’s oldest tavern structure (it was built in 1738 as the first schoolhouse in Essex), but it is also one of the country’s oldest taverns still in operation!