History of The New Boston Inn  413-258-4477

The New Boston Innis the Major Landmark in Sandisifeild. Recorded History begins with Capt Daniel Brown the founder of  "New Boston" had settled here in 1737.Brown held the first tavern License between 1743-1752which is a good indicator that there was an active tavern at least from that point on.The main building"federal style" with it's Palladian windows and twin Chimmeys,is thought to be the work of Daniel brown son Sanford. Sitting on the rise of the Farmington river, the inn became the focal point of the village that grew around it. Here revolutionary war soldier trained between 1775-1789,In 2001 the daughter of the AAmerican Revolution formally cited the Inn for it's role to train the soldiers for war. In the early 1900's the Inn was a major stage coach stop and connected three different lines one being in 1838 general Winfield Scott, a hero of the war of 1812 and the Mexican War, passed through town in the Red Bird Stage Line on his way to Canad, it was said that he spent the night to recuperate at the Inn and Hanging out in the taproom now known as the Tavern.

Up stairs there is a magnificent ballroom with Vaulted ceiling and twin fireplaces. There are seven Guest room including four from the 18th century. The interior walls were generously designed on a slight angle so that the door closed easily. Good preservation and careful restoration(1920,1940,1985) transport guests to an authentic early American era.

"Harriet"

Old Inns from all over New England claim to Have a resident Ghost, or as I call them, Friendly Spirits.  Harriet is ours, she is loving and playful, even helpful at times. Harriet Came here in the early 1800's with her family as a young women who was active and curious. She and her family would come up to the Berkshires every summer and because the travel was so great, they would stay till fall. One summer she came up with her family and she and a farmer boy had a sweet romance and fell in love.  The farmer boy wanted to marry Harriet and went to her parents for permission.  When he asked her parents, they  refused to even entertain the idea. When he asked "Why not?'  they replied " You could not possibly keep her in the way in which she was used to (meaning  he wasn't rich)." So broken hearted Harriet and her family went back to New York and farmer boy enlisted in the war. The following summer Harriet returned to be married to a New York "rich boy" and so the ceremony took place shortly after the fact that they were married.

The farmer boy came home from  the war only to realize his true love was being married as they spoke. So he went as fast as he could to the Inn  and entered the Inn, ran up the stairs to the ballroom and demanded she STOP the wedding. He said "Harriet run away with me. We don't need anyone but each other we will be happy together." she replied "I'm already married, the ceremony is already over."  He being so brokenhearted again, took out his pistol, shot her and yelled "If I can't have you no one can!!". She stumbled across the ballroom floor; down the ballroom stairs and past away, in Bedroom Four.   

For one hundred years there was said to have a blood stain on the floor  were Harriet landed that they could not remove. Shortly after Farmer boy shot Harriet they took him into to custody and two days later hung him from the hanging tree, out side the Inn.  Now when I hear singing in the Ballroom, and Music Boxes going off, or Lady's footstep in the hall, I know it's Harriet. She's delightful and I hope she never leaves.   Sci-fi Channel came in in 2005 and did an investigation on her, which aired  on "Ghost Hunters."   Harriet left them a little something. A note left in the guest book in room six. Just a "Big question mark." I don't think she  understood why they were there, or did she want to tell us something...

Discovery Channel came in not so long ago and did there own investigation and found the "BOYS" playing cards in the ballroom and caught on Audio tape "Lay  Down your cards."  The show will air when they get eighteen more provable Inns, Taverns & Hotels.  Keep us posted and we will announce it.

There are so many stories  that I've heard from people that stayed here before me, and  the stories told by the Old Innkeeper of the past, chef's and waitstaff from the restaurant.  There are truly so many stories, tales and sightings. That you have to believe that they were here before us and they will be here after US!!!