Bobbi Mathues

The Pettibone Tavern in Simsbury has been around since the 1700's. It's a very beautiful old building. For as long as I have lived in town, I have heard the stories of the place being haunted. For many years it has been a restaurant. I have known people who have worked in the restaurant and they also claim that there are ghosts that prowl the old house. One friend was a waitress and said she just set the tables in one room and had all the glasses turned down, she walked out of the room for 30 seconds and when she returned, all the glasses were turned up.

Up on the second floor there is a storage room. I once went into that storage room and in one section of the room, I got very cold but didn't feel cold in other parts of the room. Anyway, I just finished watching TAPS on the Sci-Fi channel and it was about the Pettibone Tavern. The story goes that Captain Pettibone had a daughter Abigail who was married, but not happily and she was having an affair. The husband found out about it and cut off their heads. The crew from TAPS was not able to detect any ghosts. I find that pretty hard to believe since so many people have had experiences there including myself.

In the 70's the Chart House chain purchased the Pettibone Tavern and it seems they liked to spread the word that the place was haunted. It must have been good for business. Several years ago, the Chart House sold the restaurant and it was turned back into the Pettibone Tavern. Last year there was a fire in the building which set off the sprinkler system. Unfortunately, there wasn't an alarm tied into the police or fire, so no one knew about the fire until all the damage was done & it was discovered the next morning. There was extensive water damage to the old house.

The good news is that it has been purchased and rumor has it that it will once again be a restaurant. I guess we will see if the ghosts are still there or if they moved on.

Last night I spent a wonderful evening with friends, sitting in a meadow in Simsbury, and listening to the Hartford Symphony play Motown! It was very special and the crowd loved it. People were dancing in the grass and just having fun. I sometimes marvel at how lucky I am to live in Simsbury and the Farmington Valley area. Simsbury is such a beautiful town and there is so much to do. I have lived in Simsbury since 1980 and have watched the town grow into a wonderful place to live. The town takes a very conservative approach to what businesses come to town as well as residential home building. So, the quaintness of the town has stayed intact.

We have some first rate restaurants and people come from all over to dine in our restaurants. Of course the centerpiece of Simsbury is Simsbury Farms. It is the town recreation area and has several swimming pools, an 18 hole golf course, tennis, paddle tennis, playscapes and fitness trails. The best part is that it is open to the public and it is very well taken care of. So, if you are looking for something to do this weekend, drop by Simsbury Farms for a dip in the pool or a round of golf, etc.

And, plan to be in town next Wednesday evening for the Beatles Concert accompanied by the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. It should be a very good time. Bring your lawn chair, pack some wine, cheese and fruit and relax under the stars while listening to some memorable tunes.

Every summer, Simsbury is the summer home to the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. The programs have just been announced and they are as follows:

June 27 - Mozart

7/4 & 7/5 Celebrate America (July 4th celebration complete with fireworks & the 1710 Overture)

7/11 A Tribute to Motown and R & B

7/16 Classical Mystery Tour - A Beatles Tribute

7/18 Movie Classics

This is something my husband and I look forward to every year. We pack dinner, call some friends to join us and have dinner on the lawn in Simsbury's Meadows and listen to the concert. It's a glorious way to spend an evening. Many of Simsbury's restaurants sell boxed dinners if you don't want to make & pack your own. There are 2 seating options. They have a reserved section of tables which you can reserve in advance or day of the concert you can purchase lawn tickets. You can also purchase a series of 10 tickets in advance. We have tried both and find the lawn much more comfortable. We found the chairs at the tables uncomfortable. So, we prefer to bring our own chairs and coolers and party on the lawn. We usually consider it the start of summer. However, I think summer has come a little early this year. Yesterday the temps were in the mid 90's and today they are projecting the temp to get to 97. Many of our schools have either closed or are having early dismissal. It's a little too hot too early. I had planned to do a broker's open house tomorrow in a house without AC, but I think I will postpone it because tomorrow is supposed to be 97 too.