History

Sturbridge And Its History...

Sturbridge, home of the Publick House, stands astride two main New England arteries - the Boston to New York and the Providence to Springfield highways.  It was predestined to be a main thoroughfare.  The "Old fordway to Tantiusque" was used by the Indians when they traveled to Plymouth bringing the Pilgrims corn.  In their turn, the first white settlers traveled over the same route on their first westward journeys.  Just 13 years after the Pilgrims landed, John Oldham was traveling near the ford when Indians showed him strange pieces of "black rock" and so the first lead mine was discovered in America.  The ford was frequently mentioned in old records.  It was the only fording place for many miles to the North and South for travelers passing East and West.  It also met the famous "Woodstock Path" running from Hartford and Providence to the North.  Then, as now, the junction of routes made Sturbridge strategically important.  

Guest arriving at the Publick House  Historic Inn in the 1940's

The old Boston Post Road ran through Sturbridge.  In 1754, when Benjamin Franklin was deputy postmaster of the Thirteen Colonies, he made a trip during which he visited most of the colonial Post Offices.  This was not such a momentous undertaking as it sounds for there were only 28 Post Offices then in existence.  During the trip, the ever inventive Franklin affixed a mileage counter to the wheels of his carriage.  Men accompanied him to set milestones along the post roads to guide the mail carriers.  According to popular legend, the milestone in Sturbridge which reads "67 miles from Boston" was placed there as a result of this trip.

During the Revolutionary War, Sturbridge Common, which was given by the Saltonstalls "For Publick Use Forever", was the scene of great activity.  Militia drilled on the green lawn.  Stores were collected and hoarded.  Colonel Crafts himself personally equipped and supplied a company of cavalry for George Washington's Army.  

Again, in 1812, during the war with England, Sturbridge played a part in the prosecution of the struggle.  No commerce could be carried on by sea between New York and Boston because of the embargo.  As a result, goods were transported over land.  A constant stream of four and six horse teams traveled between the two cities and their route took them on the Boston Post Road through Sturbridge.  

Colorized postcard from the 1940's

The Publick House on the common was a favorite stopping, place for the teamsters.  The inn’s founder and keeper, Colonel Ebenezer Crafts, made frequent rounds and saw to it that each guest was satisfied and comfortable. In 1824 the tavern and the common were visited by General Lafayette and his son, George Washington Lafayette.  Over 3,000 people assembled on the green to greet the Revolutionary hero.  Great preparations were made at the Publick House for Lafayette.  One good lady of the town carried her best china to the Inn for the General's use.  It jogged all the way in a cart, contemporary records note, and arrived at its destination without one piece being broken.  The General however, was behind in his schedule and the Taproom hospitality proved so bountiful that he ventured no further into the Inn, but presently proceeded on his journey.

Guests enjoying a meal in the Barn Room

Sturbridge itself came into being in 1730 when a drawing was made for homestead lots by such families as the Bournes, Plimptons, Hardings, Gelasons, Fiskes and others.  The name Sturbridge was adopted because an ancestor of one of the first settlers had come from Stourbridge in Worcester County, England.  Actually permission had been given by the General Court for settlement and speculation a year earlier.  Certain stipulations were made; seven years from the date, 50 families had to be settled in houses which were at least 18 feet square.  The founders were also bidden to settle a "learned orthodox minister and lay out him a house lot equal to the other house lots".

Sturbridge became an a cultural center and in 1824 the present Sturbridge Fair was started for the purpose of awakening more interest in husbandry and the mechanic arts.  By 1855, the Fair was incorporated as a Society and the attendance each year increased rapidly.  In 1834, the first balloon ascension in this part of New England was made from the fair grounds.  The pilot was a Madame Carlotta of New York and the records show that her performance increased the gate by $700 over the year before.

This early deck was converted into Paige Hall

Colonel Crafts has left his equestrian profile on our familiar sign, his name on our gracious bed & breakfast inn atop Fiske Hill, his legacy of majestic elms and maples shading our grounds, and his spirit of uncompromising good taste and hospitality on every greeting, eating, and meeting at the Publick House.  Today we like to think that nothing much has changed at the Publick House, and this is essentially true.  Sheep still graze in the meadow, just beyond our Bake Shoppe with home-made sweets, breads, and relishes to go.