Join Town Historian Joel Helander for a discussion on his latest publication, Splendor by the Seaside: The Story of the Sachem’s Head Hotel in Guilford, Connecticut.
The book of history traces the rise of this celebrated hostelry as a luxury resort (1835) with accommodations for 100 guests. Under proprietorship of Horatio L. Scranton, the hotel was expanded (1859) to a total length of nearly 500 feet, boasting accommodations for up to 400 guests!
Authorities concurred that the hotel became the largest summer resort between New York City and Newport, Rhode Island. It was patronized heavily by New Yorkers and people from the Hartford, Connecticut area, including celebrity guests such as Stephen Douglas, who gave a stump speech from the hotel balcony during the 1860 U.S. Presidential campaign.
The total destruction of the hotel (1865) by fire has remained a mystery for over 150 years. Helander presents new-found astonishing evidence, although done in a circumspect manner, about the cause of the disastrous fire. The development of the book and intriguing facts about the fashionable hotel will be discussed.
Copies of Splendor by the Seaside: The Story of the Sachem’s Head Hotel in Guilford will be available for purchase courtesy of Breakwater Books.
This program is free and open to all. Please register.