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American HistoryGriswold Inn Restaurant, Essex CT.By Brooke CunninghamThe largest naval disaster on US soil occurred in Essex Connecticut in 1814. 28 ships were burned and sunk in the Connecticut River followed by the British commander barging into the local inn demanding a “hunt breakfast” be put together to feed his victorious troops. Minus the ship burning, the tradition of hunt breakfasts still continues on the site. Every Sunday the Grizwold Inn serves a traditional hunt breakfast complete with venison, turnips, standing ribs and Yorkshire pudding within the walls that saw that first event.
Contact Information:The Hunt Breakfast is
served every Sunday Griswold Inn Images courtesy of Griswold Inn |
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Sitting among remnants
from a century past makes you feel involved with the stories, like part of
the scenery. The naval print that was closest to our table at lunch told the
of a large ship coming forward with great momentum, and a small sailboat
before it with virtually no way to avoid disaster. Sitting three feet away
we felt part of a very real drama. You can see each stitch in the hand sewn
flags, and imagine the hand that pulled pen across paper to form the letters
written by flickering lamp light which are framed on the wall. The
fractious arrangement has none of the museum quality that such a collection
certainly merits. The six different dining rooms that house this informal
melange make you feel as if you had stepped through a secret door way in the
back of your great grandmother’s closet and into another era. 
The Tap Room was built
as a schoolhouse in 1738. 120 years later it was dragged through town by
oxen and attached to the first three story building in Connecticut becoming
part of the Griswold Inn. During such lean times you really couldn’t leave
anything unused. Even an abandoned covered bridge in New Hampshire was
hauled to Connecticut. The Library has floor to ceiling bookshelves
protecting countless thoughts, facts and reflections from the past. The Gun
Room has weapons dating back to the 15th century. My favorite is
a rifle that was found with a poem rolled up in the barrel. Revealed in the
hand penned lines is the father’s understanding that this gun must be used
for his son’s defense, honor, and manhood as the boy departs to fight for
his country. The timeless right of passage is dated “7th month 7th
day 1776”. The unifying feature of this assemblage of rooms is a truly
amazing assortment of Currier & Ives and Endicott & co. prints depicting the
life and times. Wedged within the steam ship banners, quarter panels, flags,
and brass plates the old voice of the temperance posters still warns of
evils in the wicked world. And through it all wafts the irrepressible aroma
arising from the Kitchen of Chef William Parks.