The Windham Inn is a notable landmark in Windham Center, at the intersection of Scotland Road and Windham Center Road, near Windham Green. Known as the Windham House prior to 1890, the building was constructed in 1783 and was originally three stories. It began to buckle around 1850 and was then reduced to two stories. The three dormer windows were added around the same time. Also added at some point was a front porch, later removed. The Inn, which is believed to be haunted, was converted into apartments in the mid-twentieth century. The inn sign from the 1890s is in the collection of the Connecticut Historical Society.
Windham Inn (1783)
Wasn’t there a large extension branching off of the rearheading easterly towards the post office?I have an old bill for room and board dated 1892,at which time it was called the Windham Hotel.
When I was a child, I used to have a recurring dream about this place. In the dream, it was a gray, drizzly day in late Fall. I am supposedly looking around with my parents, as they consider renting it. I see a very small bathroom with rust and blue printed wallpaper and an old white, claw and ball footed bathtub.
Then, the view is from the outside but I am looking at myself (as a little child, about five) in the window, from someone else’s perspective. I don’t know who that someone is but I’m at the edge of woods and wetlands, looking at the side of the house, with its rows of windows.
I actually lived in the Windham Inn for seven years. My apartment was on the third floor. I had five rooms, however one was suited only for storage,
The other residents of the Inn were professional people, Doctoral students from UConn, or professors from there as I was. People came and went during my tenure there. We lived in harmony, in a family atmosphere regardless of who was there when. Some were single, some had children, but all were compatible. They were all my friends.
During one of our many communal meals together someone made a comment about how a portrait on one of their walls frequently found on another wall over night. Then the flood gates opened and we all started to share our own strange happenings; books falling off shelves…but only those with blue covers, the screech of a closed door being forced open, kitchen cabinets open and closing, and one of my own, when my friend brought her German Shepherd into the apartment, the dog cried, whimpered, and would not enter her room. Otherwise the dog wouldn’t typically leave her side. There were many more, but two numerous to tell. I loved the years we shared, the stories we shared, and we all knew we had a benevolent spirit shared our lives.
I would love to see old pictures of the Windham Inn when it was three stories!
I became close friends of a Single Mom and her boys living in the apartment of to the right side of the Inn around the late 1970’s. I had an apartment on Plains Rd. Also was Babtized and Confirmation in the St. Pauls Church next door. ….So sad. Still friendds to one of the young boys that lived there.
i owned the inn during the 1980’s and as ‘proud owners ‘( unlike todays ) we renovated many of the apartments and cleaned up the outside of the building. My philosophy was if I couldn’t live in it how could I expect someone else to. We had 7 propane tanks removed that were located on the corner and purchased all brand new electric stoves. We kept the lawn neat and removed huge overgrown bushes from the front of the building. We had the cable company cleanup all the cables they recklessly draped on the facade of the building. We repaired the front lights and refinished the sign over the front door and put a new roof. The building looked great and we had some wonderful respectful tenants. I’m sure some of the local residents remember this time frame when the building was owned by reputable owners. We made it our mission not to be slumlords. We sold because we were transferred overseas. Its so sad that the owners since only collected rent and put nothing back into keeping the building up. I have a postcard showing the carriage house which had been attached to the building, it went across the width of the back parking lot. I’ve seen recent photos of some of the interior and it breaks my heart to see all our upgrades and efforts have been ignored and abused. When we owned it we were proud to show those apartments. All the hours we spent working inside the apartments, we never had any ghostly experiences. Maybe ‘Betty’ was happy with what we were doing so let us be?
Lorraine Young: I lived at the Inn while you owned it, and was always so grateful for the care you took of the buildings and the way you treated tenants. I was very sorry when you had to sell the building. If you’re on Facebook, you can send me a friend request at FB page patmillerart. All best wishes!
All we have are slumlords in Connecticut
I find these stories intriguing and am in touch with Pat and Lorraine. Windham Preservation Inc. now owns the Inn and we are working toward a restoration and re-purpose that will return the building to community use. You can learn more about us at http://www.windhampreservationinc.org and https://www.facebook.com/SavingOurInn
I am curious about claims indicating the Inn was once three stories. In our research, nothing, so far, supports this assumption. If anyone can direct me to documentation, I would appreciate it.
Windham Preservation Inc. commissioned a structural assessment on the Inn. Preliminary findings, received today, indicate there was never a 3rd story. However, the building had 2 bays removed from the East end – the site of the buckling wall. More to follow…
I know exactly where this building is. I used to know a family that lived to the right side of the Inn, attached to the Inn. So inspiring to hear the history behind the story of the Inn. I always loved that building.
Sally, thank you! That’s apt #7, it has it’s own entrance. This year, we hung wreaths on the doors in the addition and added solar spots. It really makes the inn look more hospitable. One of our members always decorates the front door with a wreath and we have battery candles in the windows.
Thank you for letting me know about the wreaths. The name of the single mother that lived in the right side of the Inn was Haynes. Two of her sons names was Danny and Joey. Joey was my very first boyfriend. He and I went to Confirmation classes together at the church there. I don’t remember the other siblings names. They were older.