Welcome to Woodbury, CT
The Glebe House Museum & Gertrude Jekyll Garden

We drove to Woodbury, Connecticut on Saturday, November 28, 2020 when the weather was warm with blue skies and the area was festively dressed for the holidays. Located 26 miles from New Haven, 41 miles from Hartford, 60 miles from Greenwich, 66 miles from Springfield, Massachusetts, 84 miles from Manhattan, and 142 miles from Boston, Massachusetts, the area is perfect for a charming and exciting weekend getaway.  

Where to Stay  

1754 House - Inn - Restaurant - Tavern - Waterbury 

1754 House

We had a wonderful stay at the intimate boutique hotel 1754 House built before 1736 by Anthony Stoddard, opened as an Inn in 1754, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Chef/Owner Michael Bates-Walsh purchased "one of oldest inns in Connecticut" in March 2020, beautifully renovated the property and opened it in June 2020. 

Welcome to 1754 House

If you love historic Inns, you will love 1754 House where gracious hospitality awaits. Chef/Owner Michael Bates-Walsh brings an impressive hospitality background to his Inn having honed his talent at renowned New England resorts and restaurants. Guestrooms are sumptuously appointed, and the restaurant is top-notch.  

Guestroom

The Inn has 7 charming and well-appointed guestrooms in the main house, and 4 additional guestrooms in The Carriage House, providing guests with the opportunity to reserve 1 guestroom or the entire space making it perfect for family getaways, wedding parties, or special event groups.  

Fresh baked scones and coffee to get you started

Located in Woodbury, Connecticut it is the perfect base to explore the area and then return in the evening for an excellent dinner at the restaurant and then stay at the Inn for sweet dreams on a Tempur-Pedic® bed.  

Read about our experience at the 1754 House Inn in the Hotels & Resorts, Restaurants, and Chefs' Recipes section. 

For more information or to make a reservation, please visit the website: www.1754house.com 

1754 House
506 Main Street South
Woodbury, Connecticut 06798
United States
Telephone: +1-203-405-3735
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.1754house.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/1754-House-Restaurant-Tavern
Instagram: @1754House 

Historic Attractions - What to Do

Located a short drive from 1754 house, Hollow Road is a treasure of architectural discoveries. The first beauty on the road is the red Hurd House located at 25 Hollow Road, owned by The Old Woodbury Historical Society, and built for John Hurd, the town's miller around 1680. Interesting to note is the wood well sweep located in the front of the building.  

Also, of interest is the Jabez Bacon House built in 1760 by Roswell Moore and located on the right side of the road. Jabez Bacon was Connecticut's first millionaire, and the yellow building next to his large olive-green double-door house was his mercantile store. 

Glebe House  Museum & Gertrude Jekyll Garden

Another important house on Hollow Road is The Glebe House Museum & Gertrude Jekyll Garden, which we visited during their "Shop Small Saturday" event with their Holiday Shoppe Tent Sale with Open Fire Cooking Demos, as well as a "Glimpse of the Glebe" when the house was festively attired for the holidays with an appearance from Jim Howson dressed in colonial military attire. 

Jim Howson at Glebe House

Built around 1740, the beautifully built house is 3-stories, 7 rooms, and has a combination of architectural styles incorporating New England Salt Box style with a Gambrel roof. The house has an interesting political history and was the home to many different families until the 1920s. In 1923, The Seabury Society of the Preservation of the Glebe House was instrumental in preserving the house, which opened to the public as a museum in 1925. 

Glebe House table setting

Although only the first floor of the museum was open during our visit due to Covid-19, we were able to get a "Glimpse of the Glebe" and stroll the garden named for the renowned English horticultural designer Gertrude Jekyll who had been commissioned to design the garden in 1926. Interesting to note, is that her plans for the garden were lost, and were not discovered until the 1980s when the garden was finally created. 

Decorated Fireplace

The Museum has several events throughout the year, so be sure to check out their website at www.glebehousemuseum.org 

The Museum is closed for the season. They will reopen for regular tours in May 2021.

Museum Admission: Adults: $7, Children under 12: Free, Garden Suggested Donation: $2. The Garden is open year-round.  

For more information on The Glebe House Museum & Gertrude Jekyll Garden, please visit the website: www.glebehousemuseum.org  

The Glebe House Museum & Gertrude Jekyll Garden
49 Hollow Road
P.O. Box 245
Woodbury, Connecticut 06798
United States
Telephone: +1-203-263-2855
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.glebehousemuseum.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Glebe-House-Museum-The-Gertrude-Jekyll-Garden 

Area Sipping Tour - Winery and Breweries 

Hawk Ridge Winery - Watertown 

Hawk Ridge Winery - Owner's Debbie and Vin Giannetto

Owned by the Giannetto and McHugh families, Hawk Ridge Winery is located 10 miles from Woodbury in nearby Watertown. Located on a high ridge overlooking the distant mountains it was a gorgeous and tasty place to begin our area "sipping tour." Hawk Ridge Winery planted grapes in 2015, produced the first wines in August 2016, and opened in 2017. Although a "new kid" to the wine industry, the winery has already won many awards for their wines.  

Jeff McHugh - Hawk Ridge Winery

True to its name, we had the pleasure of seeing several hawks soaring over the property as we drove up the long drive as if acting as the welcoming committee. We met Jeff McHugh and took an informative, interesting, and very tasty tour of the winery with two of the passionate owners Vin and Debbie Giannetto, who said that what makes their wine so good is the love they put in it, and from the steady stream of clientele to the winery, that must be true. 

The winery produces a diverse selection of white, red, and sparkling wines. To add a touch of whimsy and sparkle, they make a special glitter wine, and have a wine slushie machine. Their wine can be purchased at the winery or enjoyed at nearby bars and restaurants. 

The winery is architecturally interesting with a stunning wood post and beam ceiling held together by dowels and the large fieldstone fireplace was created from stones found on the property when they were planting the grapes. Guests can enjoy lunch at their restaurant or bring their own food to enjoy with their wine selections seated at one of the widely spaced tables in their two-level building, on their expansive deck, or seated out on the rolling lawn. 

Debra C. Argen sneaking a sample

Hawk Ridge Winery Hours: Wednesday through Friday from 12:00 pm until 8:00 pm, Saturday from 12:00 pm until 9:00 pm, and Sunday through Tuesday from 12:00 pm until 6:00 pm. 

For information on Hawk Ridge Winery, visiting, or purchasing their wines, please visit the website: www.hawkridgewinery.net

Hawk Ridge Winery
28 Plungis Road
Watertown, Connecticut 06795
United States
Telephone: +1-860-274-7440
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.hawkridgewinery.net 

Craft Breweries 

The craft beer movement has been rapidly growing in Connecticut (there are over 100 breweries in the state) and as we love learning, we decided to visit 2 of them to discover why they are becoming so successful. As our usual preferred beverages are wine or spirits, we thought it was high time to learn about the craft beer movement and educate our ourselves on their nuances. Our discoveries were not only educational they were palate pleasers as well. 

Woodbury Brewing Co. - Woodbury, Connecticut 

Woodbury Brewing Co.

Our first craft brewery stop was to Woodbury Brewing Co. located down the road from 1754 House in Woodbury, to learn about, and taste their house-brewed products brewed weekly in small batches by brewer Ben Gardner, many of which feature prominently on the 1754 House Restaurant and Tavern menu.

Debra C. Argen and General Manager Josh Metz

We met with General Manager Josh Metz who was our "professor and guide" into the interesting world of craft breweries. They opened on December 8, 2017 and produce a wide variety of styles including Ales, Lagers, IPAs, Porters, Pilsners, Sours, Stouts, and Hard Seltzers. One of the reasons is that craft breweries have become so popular is that they offer a creative and diverse product line to appeal to different palates and always have something new brewing to intrigue their clientele. 

We enjoyed learning about their differences that vary not only in taste and style but also in alcohol levels. A few of the delicious and different products we sampled included: Champils brewed with grapes from nearby Hawk Ridge Winery (6.0% ABV), Red 5 Sour, a Flanders Red with Cherries (6.6% ABV), Collusion IPA (7.2% ABV), Simplicity IPA (7.4% ABV), and Drunk As A Monk Barrel Aged Belgian Quad, which falls into the same level of alcohol as wine at 12% ABV.  

PROST!

Their products can be purchased onsite, online, as well as at 40 different liquor stores in Connecticut. Seeing or in this case, tasting, is believing, so a visit to Woodbury Brewing Co. is highly recommended.  

Woodbury Brewing Co. Taproom & Beer Garden Hours: Monday through Thursday from 4:00 pm until 9:00 pm, Friday from 4:00 pm until 9:30 pm, Saturday from 12:00 pm until 9:30 pm, and Sunday from 12:00 pm until 6:00 pm.  

For information on Woodbury Brewing Co., visiting, or product information, please visit the website: www.woodburybrewing.com  

Read more about Woodbury Brewing Co. in the Liquor Cabinet  to learn more about their interesting product line. 

Woodbury Brewing Company
738 Main Street South
Woodbury, Connecticut 06798
United States
Telephone: 203-405-3811
Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  
Website: www.WoodburyBrewing.com 

Our next craft brewery stop was to Black Hog Brewing located 9 miles from Woodbury in Oxford. Owned by brothers Jason and Tom Sobocinski and brew master Tyler Jones, Black Hog Brewing has been turning the craft beer movement on its head since they founded it in 2014 and launched their first products in July 2014.  

So much to sample

We took an interesting tour on Sunday, November 29, 2020 with Taproom Manager Olivia Pogodzienski to learn about their diverse and tasty products. One of the distinguishing factors of the artisanal craft brew movement versus the spirits industry, is that their craft brew clientele is always looking for something new to try, whereas spirits drinkers are looking for consistent product every time. The Black Hog team is always happy to put their creative hats on to keep coming up with interesting products in addition to their core products, and having sampled a few of their amazing products, we are happy that they keep moving forward.  

Shhh - beer in the making

Interesting to note about Black Hog Brewing is that they pick their own hops to keep their product very fresh and they use real fruit in the seltzers. The weather was beautiful the day we visited and clientele sat at widely spaced tables under a large tent or at well-spaced picnic tables in the sun.  

Black Hog Brewing is open Thursday and Friday from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm, Saturday from 1:00 pm until 8:00 pm, and Sunday from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm. 

For information on Black Hog Brewing, visiting, or product information, please visit the website: www.BlackHogBrewing.com 

Read more about Black Hog Brewing in the Liquor Cabinet to learn more about their interesting product line and get the recipe for Luxury Experience - Peanut Butter Stout Ice Cream, which we made with their Choosy Moms Imperial Stout with Peanut Butter. 

Black Hog Brewing
115 Hurley Road 9A
Oxford, CT 06478
United States
Telephone: +1-203-262-6075
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.BlackHogBrewing.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/BlackHogBrewing 

A Taste of the Area - Where to Dine 

1754 House Restaurant - Woodbury, CT 

Chef Michael Bates-Walsh

We had an amazing dinner on Saturday, November 28, 2020 at 1754 House Restaurant where Chef/Owner Michael Bates-Walsh is the major talent in the kitchen. He honed his culinary teeth at some of New England's top resorts and restaurants before purchasing the historic inn and restaurant. The ambience is elegant yet casual, beautifully renovated while keeping the charm. 

Sea Salt Roasted Beets

The menu focuses on American cuisine and is both approachable and creative and consists of Small and Share Plates, Soups and Salads, Sandwiches, and Substantial Plates. There is something on the menu to appeal to diverse palates with comfort menu items like Braised Beef Shepard's Pie and Cast-Iron Mac & Cheese, to more intriguing items for diners who prefer something different like their Exotic Mushroom Risotto or Cast-Iron Seared Tofu. 

Dining Room

The restaurant has a strong tie to the community and has a nice selection of craft beers from the local artisanal breweries, there is a creative cocktail menu, and wines are available by the glass or bottle making it easy to pair wines with courses.  

New York Strip Steak 

The night we dined at the restaurant there was a roaring fire in the large brick fireplace that created the perfect ambience for an evening of excellent dining. A few of the many highlights of our dinner included the Grilled Oysters with fennel and leek relish, Pan-Seared Sea Scallops accompanied by sweet corn succotash, roasted red pepper, and herb vinaigrette, and the evening's dessert special, Chocolate Pâté with Cranberry Gastrique. As an added treat, guests receive a small bag of freshly baked cookies at the end of the meal to take home. We cannot wait to return! 

1754 Dining Room is open Tuesday - Sunday from 11:30 am to 9:00 pm, Sunday Brunch served 11:30 am to 2:00 pm, and closed Monday. 

The Tavern is open Tuesday - Friday from 4:00 pm to close, Saturday - Sunday from 11:30 am to close, Sunday Brunch served from 11:30 am to close, and closed on Monday.  

Read about our experience at the 1754 House Inn in the Hotels & Resorts, Restaurants, and Chefs' Recipes section. 

For more information or to make a reservation, please visit the website: www.1754house.com 

1754 House
506 Main Street South
Woodbury, Connecticut 06798
United States
Telephone: +1-203-405-3735
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.1754house.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/1754-House-Restaurant-Tavern
Instagram: @1754House 

We sign our postcard from Woodbury, With Love from Luxury Experience! Come, sip, taste, and experience history in this beautiful part of Connecticut! 

Until next time, keep enjoying travel with Luxury Experience! 

Cheers!
See you in Woodbury, CT

Read more about the area in the Hotels and Resorts, Restaurants, Chefs' Recipes, Wine Cellar, and Liquor Cabinet sections. 

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