Old House on the Green

Courtesy of
Longmeadow Historical Society

Mother's Day has been celebrated for many years in our country!  In our beautiful town of Longmeadow, MA there was a restaurant located on the Town Green where families could enjoy a special dinner on the special day set aside to honor mothers.  The Old House on the Green was located at 797 Longmeadow Street.  George E. and Margaret Adams had purchased the house at this address in 1921 and moved with their family from Springfield, MA.  The house had been built for Justin Colton, ca. 1833 (perhaps earlier).  Justin Colton's granddaughter, Miss Elsie Hatstat and other heirs sold this home to Mr. and Mrs. Adams.

797 Longmeadow Street in 1909
from the Emerson Collection
Longmeadow Historical Society

On October 11, 1940 Mr. and Mrs. Adams opened their home to visitors during specific hours and the next day guests with reservations could enjoy dinner at their establishment.  For many years organizations from surrounding areas enjoyed luncheons and dinners here.  The private home located at 797 Longmeadow Street became a guest house and a tea room.  The name was the Old House on the Green.

Bridal showers, wedding receptions, anniversary parties and annual banquets were celebrated at this charming destination.  Advertisements appeared in our local newspapers.

Source:  Springfield Republican
Sept. 16, 1945

In 1953 advertisements for Mother's Day reservations were found in the Springfield Union newspaper.
                

Source:  Springfield Union
May 3, 1953

The 1950 U.S. Federal Census lists this business that Mr. and Mrs. Adams owned as a "Tea Room".   An undated Luncheon and an undated Dinner menu can be viewed.

(Click to enlarge.)
Menu- undated
Courtesy of Longmeadow Historical Society

In October of 1958 Mr. and Mrs. Adams celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary.  During that month and that year they also closed their destination restaurant.  Over the years the Old House on the Green had become a treasured dining experience for so many guests.  That dining destination became a wonderful memory for so many people in our area.

Some additional background information- George Adams did have insight into running a restaurant.  In 1899 his father Leroy Adams and his uncle Edward C. Crosby had purchased the Brooks House in Brattleboro, Vermont.  The Brooks House was well known in the Brattleboro area.  Leroy Adams sold his share of this establishment in 1907 and then spent part of his time in Springfield, MA.  He became the president of The Springfield Flour and Grain Company located on Liberty Street in Springfield, MA.  His son George E. Adams was the secretary and the treasurer of the company.

Sources:  1909 Springfield, MA City Directory; 1920 U.S. Federal Census; 1950 U.S. Federal Census; Springfield Republican-  Feb. 5, 1910; Oct. 31, 1921; Oct. 11, 1940; Springfield Union- Nov. 9, 1958 and Massachusetts Historical Commission- 797 Longmeadow Street written by Peter Santos. 

~Judy Moran