Stratton's Inn

Stratton's Inn is a historic house on East Street in northeastern Brookfield, Vermont. The building was most likely constructed between 1795 and 1798 by Ebenezer Stratton, one of Brookfield's early settlers, and originally operated as a tavern at the junction of locally significant roads. Its location on Paine's Turnpike, a north–south route, gave the establishment a role in the region's early transportation and hospitality network. The property is a two-story wood-frame building with a hip roof, a large central chimney, clapboard siding, and a stone foundation. Its principal east-facing elevation is arranged in five bays and features a Federal-style entrance with slender pilasters, a transom window, and a corniced entablature. Less elaborate entrances appear on the south and west sides. A garage was added to the property in the twentieth century, set back from the main house. The interior retains a central-chimney Federal-period plan. A narrow entrance vestibule and winding stair are positioned in front of the chimney, with large rooms on either side and a long chamber behind. The northern room was originally a parlor, while the southern room served as the tap room. A small closet near the vestibule opens into storage beneath the stairs; this arrangement has been interpreted as a possible location from which the tavern host dispensed drinks. Stratton's Inn functioned as a stagecoach stop at least until 1838. After its period as an active inn, the property was used primarily as a farm and remained in the Stratton family until 1890. The building's historic importance rests less on continuing commercial operations than on its survival as a relatively intact example of an early Federal-period rural tavern. Its original tap room is particularly significant because it helps document the building's former hospitality function. The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. A sign reading “E. Stratton's,” now associated with the Smithsonian Museum of American History, may originally have been displayed at the inn, although that attribution is described as possible rather than certain. Stratton's Inn is therefore best understood as a historic hospitality establishment and architectural landmark rather than as a contemporary operating consumer brand.

Stratton's Inn was most likely built between 1795 and 1798 by Ebenezer Stratton, an early settler associated with Brookfield, Vermont. The building was established at a strategically useful crossroads in what is now a rural and relatively remote part of northeastern Brookfield. Its position on Paine's Turnpike, a north–south route, connected the property to the movement of travelers and stage traffic through the area. The building was designed as a substantial early Federal-period house adapted for tavern use. It is a two-story timber-framed structure with a hip roof, central chimney, clapboard exterior, and stone foundation. The principal entrance faces east toward East Street and is distinguished by Federal detailing, including pilasters, a transom, and a corniced entablature. Additional entrances on the south and west elevations reflect the building's practical relationship to its surrounding roads and uses. Inside, the central-chimney plan includes an entry vestibule, winding staircase, large rooms on either side, and a long rear chamber. The southern room was the tap room, while the northern room was originally a parlor. A closet near the entry provided access to storage beneath the stairs, a configuration that may indicate how the tavern operator served beverages while controlling access to supplies. The preservation of the tap room is one of the property's most important historical features. Stratton's Inn served as a stagecoach stop at least through 1838. The available historical account indicates that its later use was primarily agricultural rather than centered on continued innkeeping. The property remained in the hands of Stratton descendants until 1890, marking a long period of family association even after its principal role as a public lodging and tavern establishment had diminished. A sign marked “E. Stratton's,” held by the Smithsonian Museum of American History, may have originated at the property, though the connection is not presented as definitive. The surviving building was recognized for its architectural and historical value when it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Today, Stratton's Inn is understood primarily as a preserved historic property associated with Vermont's turnpike, stagecoach, and rural tavern history. The evidence does not establish that it continues to operate as a commercial inn or hospitality brand.

• 1982

  National Register listing

  [1]Stratton's Innen.wikipedia.org

  Stratton's Inn was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in recognition of its architecture and historical association with early Vermont tavern and transportation history.

• 1890

  End of Stratton-family ownership

  [1]Stratton's Innen.wikipedia.org

  The property remained with Stratton descendants until 1890 and was operated mainly as a farm during its later family ownership.

• 1838

  Documented stagecoach-stop use

  [1]Stratton's Innen.wikipedia.org

  The property remained a stagecoach stop at least until 1838, serving travelers along the local turnpike route.

• 1798

  Probable construction period ends

  [1]Stratton's Innen.wikipedia.org

  By approximately 1798, the Federal-period tavern building was likely complete and associated with Ebenezer Stratton.

• 1795

  Probable construction period begins

  [1]Stratton's Innen.wikipedia.org

  Stratton's Inn was most likely constructed during the period beginning around 1795, although the precise construction date is not documented.

A historic rural tavern and stagecoach stop whose surviving Federal-period structure and original tap room preserve the character of early Vermont hospitality.

• Hospitality

  Tavern service

  The inn's principal historic commercial function was tavern service. Its preserved tap room, located in the southern principal room, provides architectural evidence of the building's role as a place where travelers and local patrons could obtain drinks and rest.

• Travel and lodging

  Stagecoach-stop hospitality

  Located along Paine's Turnpike, Stratton's Inn offered the type of traveler support associated with an early stagecoach stop. The available material confirms this function at least through 1838, but does not provide a detailed record of rooms, rates, meals, or other specific services.

1. 1Stratton's Innen.wikipedia.org