The Red Lion Inn is getting ready to party like its 1773.
Main Street Hospitality, the owners and operators of the iconic Berkshires inn, will honor its 250th anniversary with a wealth of new programming and events. Under the leadership of multiple generations of women, the historic hotel has served as a beacon for the community and the spirit of preservation.
“I’ve had many titles throughout my career, but “third-generation female innkeeper” is the one of which I’m most proud,” says Sarah Eustis, chief executive officer at Main Street Hospitality. “I grew up at the Red Lion Inn and spent my summers working as a housekeeper. To steward this magical place into its 250th year is a career highlight and honor.”
In addition to live music, ongoing food and drink specials and the annual Joyful Holidays program, the Red Lion Inn’s 250th anniversary events include:
A Paranormal Weekend with Kalani Ghost Hunter: What better way to connect with the spirits of Stockbridge past than with a ghost seminar led by TikTok star Kalani and local ghostwriter Robert Oakes? The seminar will be followed by a VIP dining experience with ghostly chats and flavorful spirits. Come evening, guests will be treated to a four-hour ghost-hunting adventure throughout Red Lion Inn.
A Roaring Anniversary Bash: This September marks the anniversary celebration, commemorating the community and those who’ve helped the inn thrive for 250 years. Locals and visitors are invited to gather in the courtyard for a summer bash, including live music, canapés, anniversary-themed cocktails, an ice cream truck and more.
Red Lion Inn Coffee Table Book Launch: Now fans of the inn can take a piece of history home with the limited-edition Red Lion Inn: 250th Anniversary hardcover book. The book features an illustrated history along with original photography of the inn’s architecture, grounds, interiors, culinary highlights, activities and traditions. The book will be available later this month at the inn.
According to tradition, Silas Pepoon established the Red Lion Inn as a tavern in 1773 that became a stop for traveling stagecoaches. Following his death, the inn was taken over by Pepoon’s wife, Anna Bingham. By the end of the 1800’s, it was under the leadership of “Mert” Plumb, who curated the eclectic antiques collection that furnishes the inn today.
In 1968, the Red Lion Inn was purchased by Stockbridge residents, Jack and Jane Fitzpatrick, who renovated the property and made it a year-round destination. The inn began seeing the likes of famous actors and bold-faced New York names drawn to the town thanks to its charm. Jane operated the inn up until 1993, when her daughter Nancy followed in her footsteps, becoming the hotel’s president. She rebuilt and modernized 39 south wing rooms and added a 17-room guest village house, Maple Glen. In 2013 Nancy’s stepdaughter, Sarah Eustis, joined Nancy in the formation of Main Street Hospitality, a leader in the independent hospitality landscape focused on preserving properties with rich histories and strong ties to their local communities.
In recent years, Eustis has made thoughtful updates and reimagined the spaces, including adding two lifestyle shops, Nathan Hanford and Jed Thompson’s Township Four, which features locally sourced smaller grower florals and artisan wares, and with The Shop Around the Corner, a lively boutique offering a curated selection of lifestyle brands.
“Our beloved Inn has hosted generations of travelers over the years and was even immortalized in a famous 1967 Norman Rockwell painting,” says Eustis. “What a joy to reflect on that incredible legacy. We look forward to celebrating with the Stockbridge community and guests all year long. You only turn 250 once.”