When you drive down Route 20 through Marlborough and Sudbury, Massachusetts, it’s all totally developed. All you see are strip malls and fast food chains . . . that is . . . until you get to the Wayside Inn. Suddenly Route 20 becomes a winding country road and you happen upon this oasis of peace, quiet, and open space. It could be 1820 for all you know.
My grandmother was a New Englander but moved to New Jersey later in her life. One time she brought several of her friends on a trip up to New England. She loved American antiques and old houses, and she told her friends “you have to see the Wayside Inn.” She really talked it up and they were all very excited to visit.
When they arrived, she banged on the door and a woman came out, apologetically informing them that the Inn was closed for the day. My grandmother said: “Oh, please, could we just come in for a minute? We’ve come all the way from New Jersey!”
The woman disappeared inside for a moment and soon returned. She said, “Yes, you may come in and look at the rooms downstairs, but not upstairs: Mr. Ford is asleep.”
Mr. Ford, of course, was Henry Ford, who purchased the Inn in 1923 along with 3,000 acres of property around the site. The Ford family stopped off at the Inn quite often in their travels. The Wayside Inn’s website has a nice page on the history of Henry Ford and the Wayside Inn.
The Wayside Inn is a part of my life that has never changed, or at least not much. It’s old fashioned without being uncomfortable, and the menu is quality comfort food. I find it relaxing to go back to a place that I know will be much the same as the last time I was there, and it reminds me that antiques and their history don’t change – we do.
On May 10-12 this year, the Wayside Inn will host its fourth annual Antiques Show sponsored by Skinner. The show attracts some of the best dealers in the country in American antique furniture, marine paintings, American folk art, and more. It’s a first-rate show, and there’s no good reason not to go. And while you’re there, have some Indian pudding!
What are your favorite memories of the Wayside Inn?
I was married there…It was the most lovely reception. As a little girl when the family would dine at THE inn.
I announced at the age of 14 years,” I am going to be married here…One day!” It truly was the magical.
I was married there…It was the most lovely reception. As a little girl when the family would dine at THE inn.
I announced at the age of 14 years,” I am going to be married here…One day!” It truly was the magical.
I got married at the Wayside Inn. I lost my husband waiting for a transpalnt, and now I have lost my home. I have made it through with the having good family and friends. I haver been back to eat and walk the grounds. I have three sons who have never been there, someday, I would love to bring them, however I teach, and my finances are not much. I have beautiful memories of walking the grounds with Jonathan, my husband, and having the horse and buggy for our wedding. Jonathan was also heavily into antiques, and we enjoyed many auctions together. It will always remain one of my most memorable places. Best, Nancy Murray. Good luck with your fund raiser!!!
I got married at the Wayside Inn. I lost my husband waiting for a transpalnt, and now I have lost my home. I have made it through with the having good family and friends. I haver been back to eat and walk the grounds. I have three sons who have never been there, someday, I would love to bring them, however I teach, and my finances are not much. I have beautiful memories of walking the grounds with Jonathan, my husband, and having the horse and buggy for our wedding. Jonathan was also heavily into antiques, and we enjoyed many auctions together. It will always remain one of my most memorable places. Best, Nancy Murray. Good luck with your fund raiser!!!
I have a lot of great memories of the Wayside Inn. Some of my favourites are when my husband Hilary and our dogs at the time Joshua and Brier, would stay at the Wayside in either room 9 or 10 over the old kitchen. They allowed dogs in one of the two rooms there,and the Wayside was our place to stay when we were out picking for Early American Antiques antiques way back in the early 1970’s. I even have pics of us looking at our finds out on the lawn.
The place back then had *real antiques* that you could sit in and touch and in the gift shoppe was the most wonderful 18Th century spoon rack in green paint. It was right by the door, and I remember us telling the caretaker that perhaps it should be moved .:)
We will be at the show and we will be staying in one of the two rooms over the old kitchen…
Sans dogs though, as no pups allowed, which I do think we should be *grandfathered* ,as even though it has been 4 decades later, we still have dogs, still *pick* and love 18Th Century New England Antiques…
Some things never change… See you there!
Cheers
Paulette
Bruce & I were married there as well and it was just beautiful. I love the Inn. As a young girl when the Inn had it’s tragic fire I went door to door collecting signatures for a letter to The Henry Ford Foundation to ask for help in the restoration of our wonderful inn. When my daughter Renee was a little girl we would go to have a small “picnic” on the lawn of the Grist Mill . I think we had ring dings! We both have fond memories of the Inn. As a matter of fact my entire family does. I still visit and look forward to bringing friends there for a wonderful New England experience.
Bruce & I were married there as well and it was just beautiful. I love the Inn. As a young girl when the Inn had it’s tragic fire I went door to door collecting signatures for a letter to The Henry Ford Foundation to ask for help in the restoration of our wonderful inn. When my daughter Renee was a little girl we would go to have a small “picnic” on the lawn of the Grist Mill . I think we had ring dings! We both have fond memories of the Inn. As a matter of fact my entire family does. I still visit and look forward to bringing friends there for a wonderful New England experience.
I’m glad to see that I’ve got lots of company in my praises for the Wayside Inn, and I’m not surprised other people have the same nostalgic feelings for this special place. Thank you for sharing your memories – we’ll look forward to making more there.
I’m glad to see that I’ve got lots of company in my praises for the Wayside Inn, and I’m not surprised other people have the same nostalgic feelings for this special place. Thank you for sharing your memories – we’ll look forward to making more there.
I am from Worcester, and my parents took my family to many attractions throughout New England. We really enjoyed the Wayside Inn. The smell of aromatic wood burning in the fireplaces and food cooking in the kitchen reminded me of going to Grandma’s for Thanksgiving. It was a step back in time with vintage accents and creaking floors. It made me realize people preserve and take care of their property for long periods. Today I still take care of my property due in part to my days going to Historic places like this. The General Store up the street, the Grist Mill, and Mary’s Schoolhouse makes Wayside Inn a must see for families enjoying the area. I still return every year for fun & food. Thank you Henry Ford.
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Hi Stephen, I would love to go to the Antique Show – but we live in Chicago. Most of our good shows have shut down – Lake Forest, Winnetka and Hinsdale are all gone.
However, I have great memories of The Wayside Inn as my ancestor was the Innkeeper at the time of the Revolution. His name was Ephriam Howe. We have his Coat of Arms- like the one in the parlor- I don’t know if it is period or not. And the piano in tat same room was manufactured by another ancestor – Ruth Mackay. So a lot of connections there. Last time we were there, I signed the book of descendants. And there is that Indian Pudding. Best regards.
One of the best places memories. Way to many my uncle was one of the innkeepers their. Francis koppeis.