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.
My neighbor here (Helen M Upton) was a professor of history and an expert on Shakers. She was on the Board at Canterbury and published a book on Shakers. She was a widow and living alone in a house that was furnished with Shaken furniture. I would visit her once a week and have a glass of wine with her. As far as I know there was nothing "Shaker" in New Ipswich. When she died an estate auction brought in $4 million for her furniture.
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.
I thought a new the whole history of the place but was surprised to find it was briefly called the "Shaker Lodge". The stuff we learn.
My neighbor here (Helen M Upton) was a professor of history and an expert on Shakers. She was on the Board at Canterbury and published a book on Shakers. She was a widow and living alone in a house that was furnished with Shaken furniture. I would visit her once a week and have a glass of wine with her. As far as I know there was nothing "Shaker" in New Ipswich. When she died an estate auction brought in $4 million for her furniture.
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.
I remember in the 1950’s (probably)driving by the Play Barn hearing music and seeing lights on and seeing people dancing.