The Dutch Iris Inn, Granby, CT
After visiting Grandma and dining at the Parthenon restaurant in Agawam, we head to Granby, CT and the welcoming Dutch Iris Inn. The owners and hosts, Bill and Nancy Ross, greeted us warmly and gave us a tour of their lovely 1812 colonial home. We stayed in the Mary Edwards Room on the second floor, named for a former owner and donor of land to the town. The room was cozy and comfortable, and after several rounds of backgammon, chosen from among the games in the living room, we got some rest. There was a guest fridge downstairs with bottled water, iced tea and soft drinks that came in very handy. Breakfast was a true treat and included fresh fruit with an orange strawberry sauce, an amazing breakfast strudel and a fresh orange currant scone. We chatted with a few of the other guests, and head out for a morning of exploring and geocaching. Granby and the surrounding areas of Connecticut are a great spot for a getaway, with many historic homes, a Wine Trail, farm stands, brilliant foliage in the fall, and lots of small town charm.
Highlights included turning away from a local park after being informed by the Fish and Wildlife Officer that a mother bear and four cubs had just walked by on their way to the stream. (She assured us this was not a typical siting.) We also visited Old Newgate Prison. This former copper mine was transformed into a prison for serious criminals, including Tories and Loyalists during the Revolutionary War. It served as a prison from 1773-1827. During most of that time prisoners made nails and later shoes. They had quotas to meet, and if they didn’t they were either tied and lashed (max 100 times) or rations were withheld. At night, prisoners climbed down a ladder to the tunnels originally dug for mining copper. It was damp, dark and a constant 52 degrees Fahrenheit. The accompanying educational video in the old Guard House said the prisoners were actually healthier overall than the average population above, but it didn’t seem like it would be the least bit comfortable to me!
