One Of Connecticut’s Oldest Inns And Restaurants Has Been Welcoming Guests Since 1754

More than two centuries of guests have crossed this doorway, which gives an overnight stay here a little extra weight.

The building predates plenty of familiar landmarks, yet it still welcomes travelers today. That history sits quietly in the background instead of turning the experience into a museum visit.

Few places in Connecticut let you sleep and dine somewhere that has been welcoming guests since the colonial era.

Modern comforts keep the stay easy, while the older character gives the rooms a sense of personality. You can feel the age of the place without sacrificing the things you actually want from a getaway.

Dinner adds another reason to linger. The restaurant carries the same historic atmosphere, making the evening feel connected to the building around you.

It is strange to think how many conversations have happened under this roof since 1754.

That long history makes an ordinary overnight stay feel like borrowing a tiny piece of the past.

1. This Historic Inn Has Welcomed Guests For Centuries

More than two and a half centuries of hospitality sit behind the doors of this remarkable Woodbury inn. The building dates to 1736 and first began welcoming travelers in 1754, giving it a history that reaches back well before the United States became a country.

Today, it continues to operate as both an inn and a restaurant.

The property entered a new chapter after an extensive renovation led to its relaunch as 1754 House in 2020. That update refreshed the interior while preserving the historic character that makes the building so distinctive.

Recognition followed in 2021, when the inn became a member of Historic Hotels of America.

Guests can still spend the night in a place that has hosted travelers for generations, which gives a visit an unusual sense of continuity. Modern comforts now share space with a structure whose story stretches across centuries, creating an experience that feels polished without losing its past.

You’ll find 1754 House at 506 Main St S in Woodbury, where that long hospitality tradition continues today. Few overnight stays come with quite this much history already built into the walls.

2. Woodbury Adds Plenty Of Old New England Character

You could spend an afternoon in Woodbury without feeling the need to hurry. Historic homes line Main Street, antique shops invite browsing, and quiet roads lead toward scenery that still feels distinctly rural.

The town was first settled in 1672 and 1673, giving it roots that reach deep into New England’s colonial period.

Woodbury is also known as the state’s “Antiques Capital,” a reputation supported by a concentration of dealers and shops. Visitors can move between vintage furniture, artwork, collectibles, and other finds, then break up the search with a walk past buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Its preserved architecture is more than decorative scenery. Woodbury Historic District No. 1 and Woodbury Historic District No. 2 are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places, reinforcing just how much of the town’s character remains visible today.

The surrounding hills make short drives equally rewarding, especially when green fields and wooded roads frame the route. Pairing a stay at the historic inn with time around town creates an easy getaway built around browsing, local history, and unrushed exploring.

It is a place where the past remains part of an ordinary afternoon rather than something confined behind museum doors.

3. The Original Building Dates Back To 1736

Long before the first guests ever signed in, the structure began as a private family home. The foundational building was raised by Anthony Stoddard, with construction happening as early as 1736.

At that point, it served simply as his personal residence rather than a place for travelers.

That early date is worth pausing over because it means the walls were standing nearly two decades before the property welcomed its first paying guest. Homes built in this period relied on heavy timber framing and sturdy masonry designed to handle harsh New England winters.

Much of that early craftsmanship still shapes how the space feels today. Thick beams, solid construction, and the overall layout carry echoes of a time when buildings were assembled slowly and by hand.

Knowing the true age of the place adds depth to a stay, since you are essentially sleeping and dining inside a structure that predates the nation itself. For anyone curious about early American architecture, this Woodbury property offers a tangible connection to Connecticut’s colonial past.

4. Guests First Began Staying Here In 1754

The year that gives the inn its name marks the moment everything shifted from private living to public hospitality.

In 1754, the Curtiss family bought the residence and turned it into a roadside inn. They gave it the name “Curtiss House,” and that change opened the doors to travelers passing through the region.

That single decision started a tradition that has never really stopped. From that point forward, weary travelers and local neighbors alike could find a warm meal and a place to rest under its roof.

Roadside inns like this one played an important role in early America, serving as gathering spots where news was shared and journeys were broken up. Being one that has kept going for so long makes this property genuinely special.

Longtime visitors sometimes remember the earlier Curtis House era fondly, and the current owners have carried that welcoming spirit forward. The name 1754 House honors that founding year with pride.

Staying here connects you directly to a chain of hospitality stretching back more than two and a half centuries. That kind of unbroken history is something you can feel the moment you settle in.

5. Colonial Details Still Shape The Atmosphere

History reveals itself gradually here, not through elaborate displays but through architectural details that have survived generations of change. Original wooden beams remain visible throughout portions of 1754 House, preserving a direct connection to the building’s early years.

The exterior carries the familiar character of an old New England inn, while the rooms inside balance historic features with the updates needed for modern guests. Exposed wood brings warmth to the interiors, and the smaller scale of several spaces keeps the atmosphere intimate rather than grand.

Fireplaces add another layer of character, especially during colder weather when the old building feels particularly inviting. Instead of making the property resemble a museum, these preserved elements remain part of everyday meals and overnight stays.

That mix is what makes exploring the inn so rewarding. You can notice the age in the beams overhead and the proportions of the rooms, yet the experience still feels comfortable enough for a leisurely visit.

The most memorable details are often the quietest ones. A worn piece of timber or an old architectural feature can suddenly remind you how long travelers have been gathering under this roof.

Rather than recreating the past, 1754 House lets much of its history remain visible naturally.

6. Dining Keeps The Historic Property Lively Today

The kitchen is where the old building really comes alive with energy and aromas. The 1754 House runs both a main restaurant and a lower-level tavern called the Flat Five, giving guests a couple of different moods to choose from.

The cooking leans on seasonal, chef-driven ideas that mix New England tradition with thoughtful preparation.

You can settle into the main dining room, catch live music while enjoying tavern fare downstairs, or sit out on the patio when the weather cooperates. The menu covers familiar American dishes along with regional classics like New England clam chowder, charcuterie, and local cheeses.

Other popular plates include salmon, butternut squash risotto, mac and cheese, the 1754 burger, and a memorable goat cheese cheesecake for dessert. Reviews for the food tend to be warm and enthusiastic.

The main dining room runs Tuesday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. A Sunday brunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For a quieter meal, upstairs works best, while the downstairs tavern brings extra energy on music nights.

7. Ten Guest Rooms Turn Dinner Into An Overnight Escape

Dinner does not have to be the end of the evening here. Guests can turn a meal into a proper overnight escape by booking one of the inn’s ten rooms, each designed to balance historic character with modern comfort.

Every room includes either a king or queen bed along with a private bathroom, giving travelers everything needed for a restful stay.

Some accommodations also include sitting areas where guests can read, enjoy morning coffee, or simply unwind after exploring Woodbury. That extra space makes the rooms feel especially inviting during a longer weekend visit.

Modern touches such as individual climate control and flat-screen televisions sit comfortably alongside the building’s older architecture. The result feels more like staying in a historic retreat than checking into a conventional hotel.

One of the nicest advantages is having dinner and your room under the same roof. After lingering over a meal, there is no drive waiting at the end of the night.

A stay here works well for a quiet weekend, a longer trip through the Litchfield Hills, or simply an excuse to experience the inn beyond its dining room.

8. Modern Comforts Blend Easily With The Old Setting

Old walls do not have to mean old-fashioned comfort, and this inn proves that nicely.

Thoughtful updates have added modern conveniences without stripping away the building’s charm. Guest rooms include flat-screen televisions, complimentary Wi-Fi, and quality toiletries, so the essentials feel current and easy.

Individual climate control lets each guest set the temperature to their own liking, which makes a big difference in an old house across changing seasons. Mornings bring complimentary muffins and fresh coffee, and the lobby offers a coffee maker for anyone who wants an early cup.

The overall effect is a smooth blend of early New England character and everyday comfort. You get the warmth of history alongside the practical touches that make a stay genuinely relaxing.

Accessibility has been considered too. One suite in the Carriage House features an accessible bathroom with a separate water closet, showing real attention to guest needs.

Booking a night here works well for both leisure trips and business travel, since it feels far more personal than a standard chain hotel. The mix of thoughtful modern updates and preserved history gives the whole visit a comfortable, grounded, and welcoming feel.