Located in Sturbridge MA population 7,800, The Publick House Inn was established in 1771 by Colonel Ebenezer Crafts, built on land won in a card game with a local doctor. Originally it was called Crafts Tavern and consisted of 13 overnight rooms which held 4 people per bed (YIKES). The Inn, adjacent to the picturesque Sturbridge Town Green, quickly became a popular stop over for horsemen riding the roads from Boston to New York and Providence to Springfield.
The Inn is known for its magnificent Elm trees that surround the property that were planted by the original inn keeper in 1791. It is amazing they have not succumbed to Dutch Elm disease that has wiped out most mature Elm trees in the state. Some of the guests over the years have included George Washington (he certainly slept around), Ben Franklin, John Travolta and Bill Murray. Many of the original buildings remain.
The Inn is listed on the National Historic Register and is the 10th oldest operating inn in the country. The inn has never closed its doors in 248 years. The Publick House Inn recently completed a 10-million-dollar renovation and expansion, but still is dedicated to providing the old-fashioned Yankee hospitality that it was founded on more than two centuries ago.
Today, arriving at this Historic Country inn is like stepping back in time. We will dine in the original barn beautifully decorated for the holidays. For those that are interested, I have arranged a tour of this historic inn.
