The History of the Blue Horse Inn

Built in 1831 by Joel Eaton, the house at 3 Church Street has seen many incarnations. It is rumored to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad and local lore has it that General Lafayette may have slept here. The east wing was added in the 1860’s and was later used as a recovery home for civil war veterans.

Ms. Eleanor Paine converted the house to a bed and breakfast in the early 1990′s. Known simply as “3 Church Street,” the house became a beloved local landmark, and Ms. Payne is still fondly remembered by former guests and Woodstock residents as kind and full of good-humor. In 2006, 3 Church was rechristened ‘The Lauren” under the proprietorship of Jack and Nicole Maiden. The Maidens carefully updated the old house, combining a classic aesthetic with a modern twist. The house became The Blue Horse Inn when it was purchased by the current owners in August 2009. The new owners are excited to see their own interests and enthusiasms contribute to the history of the house at 3 Church Street, and they look forward to continuing its tradition of conviviality and hospitality.