Grafton Inn

The Grafton Inn (Hassaminisco House) is a rectangular three storey, free standing structure, which dominates the eastern side of the Gratton Common and 15 comprised of two parts. Ihe western section, facing on the common and erected 1805/6 is a Federal structure of considerable design distinction. An ell, equal in size to the original structure completely obliterates the eastern elevation. The major 5 bay facade faces west and, rising above a low granite foundation, is presently augmented by a two storey Italianate style porch, which was added some- time after the fire which in 1863 destroyed the Warren Block and Town Hall and the Baptist Church to the north.

At the first storey the proch extends across the full five bays of the facade, while at the second storey it occupies only the center three. At both levels it is supported by chamfered posts with elaborately carved brackets. The symmetrical and high style western facade is articulated by a projecting central bay, the pediment of which rises above the eaves. This pediment breaks forward from a typically Federal, low hipped roof (now surfaced in asphalt shingle), which rises from all fours sides to a central monitor. Orginally, a parapet, comprised of turned ballusters similar to those (now also missing) which once decorated the central, domed belvedere, originally ornamented the joint of the monitor.

The western facade is surfaced in clapboard, while the north and south elevations, incorporating four symmetrically located, chimneys, are executed in brick. eaves of the inn are decorated with mutules, a rope molding and dentiles and are thus identical to those found on many contemporaneous works by Charles Bulfinch, such as the Ihird Harrison Gray Otis House at 45 Beacon Street in Boston, of the same date.

(in one paragraph) Builder/Architect Samuel Wood (builder) The Grafton Inn possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials and work- manship and strong associations with the development of Grafton Common. Its primary significance derives from the high quality of its Federal period design. It's cubical for enclosed by a low hipped roof with monitor and octagonal belvedere typify the best of the period. The finest feature is the cornice which incorporates, dentiles, mutules and a rope molding.

The Hassanamisco House (now the Grafton Inn) was named after the Indian tribe which first occupied the area, and today still have a reservation in the Brigham Hill Road area of The Inn, on the Grafton Common, was strategically located at the intersection of Route 122 (Worcester to Providence) and an old Indian trail which had been used by white men as early as the 17th century when, Thomas Hooker led his migration following this trail 160 miles southwest from Cambridge to found Hartford, Connecticut in 1636. This central mail coach stop and cross roads was by-passed only a few years after the Inn was erected in 1805/6 due to the building of the Worcester Turnpike from Boston (Route #9).

Samue 1 Wood, who built the Inn, was from Hopkinton (Woodville) born in 1761 and moved early in life to Grafton, where he joined many other members of the Wood family, including his brother, Dr. Joseph Wood, who first employed him on his farm and store. Known for his energy, Samuel Wood built the Grafton Inn in 1805/6 and was its proprietor and the principle hotel keeper of Grafton until his death in 1813. The high style building, and its obvious relationship to the designs of Charles Bulfinch and Asher Benjamin 1s supported historically by known connections of Samuel Wood to Boston.