Griswold Inn Cat's Meow Model

The oldest continuously operating inn in the U.S., and one of the best known structures of Essex and the lower CT River Valley. Begun as a tavern in 1776, it was built into a 3 story, 3 porch frame structure by Richard Hayden in 1801. Filled with Currier & Ives Prints, exquisite maritime paintings by Jacobsen, nautical ephemera, and a firearm collection, the ‘Gris’ is a living history of art and architecture. A portion of proceeds from this archi-block benefits the Child and Family Agency of Southeastern CT.