Shaker Lodge
"Play Barn"
Shaker Lodge, Formerly Willowbrook Tavern Opens Sunday Under New Management
June 22, 1939
Rich in historical background and made delightfully pleasant by modern conveniences, is quaint Shaker Lodge in the quiet, beautiful New Ipswich village which borders the Souhegan river. On Sunday newly renovated Shaker Lodge, formerly Willowbrook Tavern, will open, thus providing the Monad- nock Region and southern New Hampshire with an ideal year 'round lodge amid the most desirable surroundings.
Since 1808 the old homestead in attractive New Ipswich village has been a landmark. Several years ago a fire destroyed a section of the original building, but part of the structure with its many quaint additions form the present Shaker Lodge.
Mr. and Mrs. Dan E. Baumbaugh are the new owners of the lodge, with its many rooms, large barn with antique fixtures and hand-hewn timbers, and two acres of spacious surroundings. Visitors to the lodge will be particularly pleased with its modernistic conveniences.
The new owners, who came to New Ipswich only a few weeks ago from Shaker Heights, Ohio, have transformed the former Willowbrook Tavern completely.
Much of the old homestead has been repainted and repapered. New furniture has been placed in many of the rooms which lead off the long hallway, characteristic of historic buildings. Everything is completely new and clean. One of the outstanding features is the bath facilities. In an effort to give the Shaker Lodge a homelike atmosphere Mr. and Mrs. Baumbaugh arranged for the installation of the series of bathrooms throughout the structure.
The guest and lounge rooms are delightfully arranged. Huge fire- places give that distinctive touch to be found only in typical country homesteads. The dining room and large screened porch provide ample space for the individual serving of 60 guests. The owners have gone to considerable expense and effort to make Shaker Lodge unique.
Another View
“Play Barn” is located on right. Building on left is currently the Re-Max Real Estate office on Turnpike Road.
I also knew it as the 1808 House and assumed it was an Inn. I have never been in it. For some reason I thought it was white. When it was the Willowbrook Tavern it was owned by James Barr.
When I was growing up in New Ipswich the Play Barn was red. They had music there on Saturday nights. The lodge was then named the 1808 House.