Longfellow’s Wayside Inn
IS THE OLDEST OPERATING INN ON ONE OF THE OLDEST COMMISSIONED ROADS IN THE USA
The Wayside Inn, this Massachusetts historical landmark is a 300 year old wonder, a real step back into time; with a sample of architecture from 17th-19th century eras. This 300 year old Hotel hasn’t changed much in decorum or style from what it had been from the beginning, thanks to careful renovation by the Ford Trust, founded by historical preservationist, Henry Ford of the Ford Auto Company.
The Wayside Inn offers a restaurant and 10 guest rooms, nicely decorated with antiques that reflect the 18th and 19TH Century tastes in décor. Two rooms; 9 and 10 are original to the early 18th Century Howe’s family home; before he built onto his home to open an inn and tavern. All the rooms have a fine view of the lovely grounds and gardens.
The original structure was built for the David Howe family. In 1707, David Howe built a two room house with an upstairs sleeping quarters for his wife Hepzibah and their baby, the first of seven offspring. This track of land which Howe owned had formerly belonged to the Indians, going back 3,000 years.
In 1716 Howe was granted a license to run a “House of Public Entertainment” and was known as Howe’s Inn in 1716, keeping a long family tradition of running an inn and tavern. The original downstairs, which was the kitchen, became the bar, while another two story addition was added for family quarters and eventually throughout the years became the parlor, which Longfellow made famous.
One Autumn night, in Sudbury town,
Across the meadows bare and brown,
The windows of the wayside inn
Gleamed red with fire-light through the leaves
Of woodbine, hanging from the eaves
Their crimson curtains rent and thin.
As ancient is this hostelry
As any in the land may be,
Built in the old Colonial day,
When men lived in a grander way,
With ampler hospitality;
A kind of old Hobgoblin Hall,
Now somewhat fallen to decay,
With weather-stains upon the wall,
And stairways worn, and crazy doors,
And creaking and uneven floors,
And chimneys huge, and tiled and tall.
from Tales of a Wayside Inn
Spirit of Jerusha Howe
Jerusha has been active all over the hotel for a long time.
Secret Drawer Society – Since the 1900s ghostly experiences with Jerusha have been written down in notes and stuck into drawers in the rooms and in other crannies found in the Hotel. While Jerusha likes to hang out in rooms 9 and sometimes 4, she has been experienced all over the Hotel..
Her unseen presence- The feeling of her unseen presence has been noticed by many through the senses.
These activities listed below have been occurring here for a very long time indeed.
The aroma of her citrus-scented perfume is noticed.
Her piano playing: When the hotel is empty, of visitors, the piano piece, “Copenhagen Waltz” can be plainly heard by the living; perhaps coming form her old piano.
Seeing her actual apparition has been occurring here for a very long time as well. She has been seen wearing a blue dress with a high collar. A see-through woman was seen standing in the parlor by the fireplace; perhaps cordially welcoming guests.
She has been known to gently touch the living.
On the stairway which winds up to the second floor where her living quarters were located, the living have experienced “haunting, faintly perfumed presence and a light, swift step on the narrow twisting stairway.”
The three rooms which were Jerusha’s living space were located over the kitchen. They were made into one room, Room 9, when the new hall was finished.
She occasionally visits other rooms as well, to check on her guests. She has been seen standing in the corner of the room, just watching.
A male guest shares, “Around 5 am she came into my room, sat at the foot of my bed, and a few moments later, walked in front of my bed (she looked like a small strip of green light) disappeared in front of the door.”
Room 4 – Located above the famous parlor in the first addition. In Room 4, artist/writer Victoria Shearer was treated to a spectral light show.
Spirits of former slaves, employees, owners
Old Slave Kitchen; (Now a Dining Room)
The spirits here turn off cameras and drain the batteries, enjoying the privacy they have in their after-life.
Wayside Inn Kitchen
Kitchen items have the habit of flying off the shelves, landing safely.
A small plate swooshed off the shelf and landed softly on the floor like some unseen presence put it down.
A dishwasher working in the kitchen wears an apron. A mischievous spirit likes to untie her apron.
Paranormal Activity
Items move around The Wayside Inn. Perhaps, spirits are borrowing them, or find a better place for them, and /or letting the living know they are present.
Disembodied voices of spirits talking are heard when The Wayside Inn is empty.
Walking from unseen presences is often heard.
* Listing information and/or photos were researched on the Internet and provided by a third-party, article or property owner's website and is deemed accurate, but not guaranteed, to the best of our knowledge.
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