A tavern, known as the Riverside Inn, was built on the future site of today’s Gelston House, in East Haddam, by Jabez Chapman in 1736. From 1776 to 1825, the property was operated by the Gelston family. It was next owned by Joseph Goodspeed. In 1853, the core of the current building was erected by the Gelston Hotel Company, a corporation formed by a number of East Haddam residents and headed by George Gelston. This was known as the Gelston House and later the Swan Hotel. In 1876, the Goodspeed Opera House was built next door and today the Gelston House is owned by the Goodspeed Opera House Foundation and has a Restaurant and guest rooms.
Gelston House (1853)
Hi,
Do you have any information or photos of when the Gelston house had a beer garden on their patio?
Thanks!
Elizabeth
I’m not aware of any. Have you contacted the Gelston House?
There was a beer garden on the river side. Visited it in 2001.