Butternut Farm was built by Jonathan Hale, beginning in
1720. Innkeeper Don Reid acquired the house in 1959 and began
painstakingly restoring the interior of this classic colonial home to
its original condition by exposing the original wide brick fireplaces,
uncovering the broad floorboards and removing later paint from the
wealth of paneling on many of the rooms' walls.
Hand-hammered hinges and other hardware, eight paneled fireplaces,
handsome summer beams, and cornice detailing are but a few of the many
fine features. Visitors come simply to see the extraordinary
collection of eighteenth-century Connecticut antiques. Cherry six
board chests, candlestands, ball-foot “hired-man” beds,
pencilpost cherry beds, gateleg tables, candlesticks, early
eighteenth-century banister-back chairs, pewter, and a fine collection of
English Delft are but a sampling.
Herb and flower gardens abound, along with a herd of prize dairy
goats and Mr. Reid's flocks of chickens,
pigeons, ducks, pheasants, and geese. The spacious grounds are beautifully landscaped in an
estate-like setting. Resident Abyssinian cats preside over the
interior.
Don Reid opened Butternut Farm as a Bed and Breakfast in 1977 and
continues as Innkeeper today. Click here to
learn more about the Accommodations available to you as
his guest.
