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The Publick House in Sturbridge, Massachusetts is very well-known for weddings.   The charm and comfort of both the indoor and outdoor spaces at our historic venue lend themselves well to a wedding.  But did you know that the Publick House is also a great location for a meeting?  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Publick House is a unique and different venue to hold your corporate outing, annual conference or CEO lunch.

Conference Room Ready for a Meeting

The Publick House has knowledgeable and professional event planners who will help you select the appropriate room based on your expected number of guests and room set-up requests. The catering menus are specifically designed to cater to your meeting needs, from a continental breakfast featuring famous pecan sweet rolls and muffins to luncheons offering a variety of sandwiches, salads, desserts, and beverages tailored to your wishes.

Some of the amenities available to corporate guests:

• Eight private banquet and meeting rooms
• Two restaurants and full bar
• On-site Bakery and Yankee gift shop
• Outdoor party tent
• 115 overnight guest rooms
• A team of professional event planners and caterers
• Exclusive catering menus for all meetings and events
• Complimentary wireless Internet access
• Audio-Visual equipment rentals on-site
• Technology services include fax, photocopies, and messaging
• Convenient & complimentary parking for all of your guests

Don’t forget the lovely outside space available at the Publick House for meetings!

Click HERE for the list of rooms and their specifications.  Good information to have.  Most important, when you are ready to set up your company’s holiday party, brainstorming meeting or teambuilding event, think of the Publick House.  And one of the best parts of planning your meeting with us–the scrumptious desserts at the Bake Shoppe are only a few steps away!

Just call 508-347-7323 x288 for more information.

One of the loveliest rooms for a meeting–Crafts Hall

Getting Married at the Publick House

“We simply can’t say enough about the Publick House and the amazingly beautiful wedding experience there! We’ve received countless positive feedback from guests saying it was the most beautiful wedding they’ve ever seen! From start to finish, Cathy, Lisa and Laura went over and above to help us, and accommodate us with everything.”–Sharon & Steve

“The staff there is amazing!  I can’t say enough about every staff member at the Publick house.  Everyone went above and beyond to ensure Ross and I, as well as everyone attending our wedding was taken care of. “–Jennifer & Ross

“You made our day very special! We also can’t say enough about Laura. She was lovely, helpful and really genuinely wanted to please us and make it special. I am now crying!!!”–Annie & Bill

These are just a few of the many accolades received regularly by the Publick House to thank us for our help with one of the most special days in a lifetime–the wedding day.

One of the greatest and most rewarding things we do at the Publick House is create magical and memorable weddings.  We are professionals in every sense of the word and our experienced Wedding Consultants help you plan the wedding of your dreams from start to finish–from ceremony to reception, from rooms for your guests to the farewell breakfast.

Have your wedding day with the Publick House

Have your ceremony in the Hillside or Garden Gazebo. Have your reception inside in the Grand Ballroom that is Paige Hall or outside in the Garden Tent.  Or for a more intimate experience, enjoy one of the many other banquet rooms in the historic hotel.  You won’t be disappointed by any of them.

Delight in a wedding reception in the unique Paige Hall

So many different wedding packages are available to fit any budget, season and day of the week.  There is no reason why you can’t have your wedding at this iconic and historic landmark. All Publick House wedding packages include a custom-designed, and delicious wedding cake created by our talented pastry chefs from our renowned Bake Shoppe. Your wedding cake will take center stage in the traditional cake cutting ceremony, which symbolizes the couple’s unity and commitment to share their lives together.

Exquisite Wedding Cake created at The Publick House

For more information and to make an appointment with one of our wedding consultants, please call 508-347-3313 or email the catering office today.  Visit our website as well to get more great ideas!

And if you are one of the recently engaged–we say Congratulations and we can’t wait to see you at the Publick House!

genus Vaccinium

One of the few fruits that is native to North America happens to be the species above, or as we like to call them, Blueberries.  Indian tribes in the Northeast nearly worshipped this tiny blue food and knew how to preserve them.  The blossom, shaped like a star, gave rise to a Native American legend that “star berries” appeared right when a tribe was close to famine and would save them.  Tthe fruit also has medicinal benefits–making it into a tea was known to be good for severe coughs.

In 1620, after those intrepid settlers from England made a home along the Massachusetts shore, the Native Americans in the area introduced themselves, as we know from our history books.  The “first Thanksgiving” that was the result of the sharing of crop successes included one very native crop–blueberries.

Today, blueberries have over 400 varieties, grown down South and as far north as the Arctic.  They are sometimes called partridgeberries or cowberries, whortleberries or sparkleberries.

Blueberries abound at the Publick House Bake Shoppe!

Some of the things that can be made from blueberries include Blueberry Cheesecake Bites, Blueberry Coleslaw, Blueberry Mayonnaise, Blueberry Omelet, Lemon, Blueberry and Chicken Salad, and Blueberry Dumplings.

Why are we going on about blueberries?  Coming up on June 29 is our Blueberry Cream Pie day!  Believe me, it is overwhelming happiness for the sweet tooth–Blueberry Cream Pie. Yum…flakey pastry crust, overstuffed with fresh chilled blueberries and topped with a generous helping of freshly whipped cream.

On June 29, the Publick House is offering $21.95/pie, and $6/slice, both sold in the Bake Shoppe. But be sure to pre-order your pies as they go really fast. You will want to take one home for your summer picnics. Trust us, you will want to order more than one!

Check out this blog as well–it was from 2010 and mentions the Publick House and has a variation on the very New England Blueberry Pie!!

Call the Bake Shoppe today and order yours–508-347-3313.

Brimfield!

Anyone familiar with the Sturbridge area knows where and what “Brimfield” means.  Three weeks out of each year, over one mile of Route 20 in nearby Brimfield becomes the home for booth after booth, filled with antiques and amazing collectibles.

The show began in the 1950s and was originally called Gordon Reid’s Famous Antiques Show after auctioneer and founder Gordon Reid.  Over the years, neighbors began buying up acreage to put up their tents and sell antiques “open air” style and now it is known all over the world now as the biggest antique event in the country.  According to the Brimfield Antique Show website, “the Brimfield Show is a huge,  vast undertaking, filled with thousands of dealers over the course of the week, selling everything from the finest antiques to ‘yard junk’, requiring a day or two to see everything there is to see. Food courts and rest facilities abound, and the shows are filled with hidden treasures and the ‘right kind of people’, creating a safe and fun environment for everyone, children included.”

Over a mile of booths and tents greet visitors at Brimfield!

The show runs for one week in May, one week in July and one week in September.  The July dates are the 10th-15th and there is still time to make your reservation with us at The Publick House! We are only a VERY short drive away!  Call 508-347-3313 for rates and availability.

Hyland Orchard and Brewery

Near Publick House Historic Inn is a wonderful family-owned orchard and brewery–Hyland Orchard, located on 199 Arnold Road in Sturbridge. On 150-acres, Hyland’s is a mecca of outdoor events and activities every season.

A mecca of apple picking, music and fun in Sturbridge, MA

With a list that includes:

• Beer (Brewed Onsite)
• New England Wines
• Wagon Rides
• Farm Animals
• Live Music in the Pavilion

There is no end to what you and your family can do when you visit Hyland Orchard, founded in 1945 by F. James Hyland. Still cared for lovingly by members of the Hyland family, you know you’re in a place you can enjoy the great outdoors.

Where the magic happens–the brewery at Hyland Orchard

During the summer and fall, enjoy great musical groups like Doctor Gonzo and North Bound Train.  Beginning Labor Day weekend, bring the kids to Pick-Your-Own apples and peaches.  And getting your Halloween pumpkin at Hyland’s is a treat!  Try some of Hyland’s own brews and play Disc Golf!

Open weekends from 12noon to 6pm, call 774-200-1909 for more information about upcoming events.  Stay with the Publick House to make a getaway out of it!  Just call us at 508-347-3313.

See you soon!

Publick House’s New Website

The Publick House just unveiled a new website! This was certainly a labor of love because much like moving to a new house, you never really grasp how much stuff you have until you need to pack it up!  Designing a website is very much a work of art.  Staving off clutter, while still making sure all the important information remains and putting beautiful photos in the right spots: all these things are all so important!

Publick House’s new home page!

You can see the new home page above.  The Publick House’s signature blue is evident throughout and what great photos!  Technology has been changing so rapidly and with that, comes a change in how people use websites. Programs like online reservations systems and software like Open Table all have their place.

Planning your wedding? Check out the wedding page!

Those of you newly-engaged need to go right to the Wedding Page!  All the information is there for your wedding, including packages, beautiful photos to give you ideas and the way to reach the wedding specialists at the Publick House.

Lodging getaways, dining specials, corporate meeting packages, group tour information and even a new Bake Shoppe page are all included in this beautiful website.  Thanks to Exsel Advertising in Sturbridge who designed the website.  Make sure to visit!

www.publickhouse.com

Hard at Work

It is so lovely to feel the weather changing to Spring (even though we really didn’t have a winter this year).  Flowers are coming up all over the place and people are working diligently sprucing up their yards.  Well, we are sprucing up at the Publick House also!  Our outdoor spaces have been going through a transformation of sorts: an underground sprinkler system, new grass on the hillside next to the Bake Shoppe (due to grow in within thirty days), new trees around the wedding gazebo and more.

One of our landscapers working hard on the underground sprinkler system.

The parking lot has seen some changes over the past couple of years.  To make things easier and safer for our guests, we have added beautiful brick walkways on each island and new shrubs along the islands.

Lovely new shrubs along the islands in the parking lot.

Let us know what you think about our walkways!

We have more planned for our outside spaces, both by the Bake Shoppe and out front.  We will keep you posted.  Hope to see you here soon!

Wine, anyone?

On April 25, you can enjoy a five-course meal paired with some amazing wines at the Publick House Historic Inn, hosted by both the Publick House and Global Wine Imports, out of Worcester, Massachusetts.  A reception features imported and domestic cheeses, crackers and French breads provided by Micknuck’s Fresh Marketplace in Sturbridge.

The menu includes: pan-seared scallop wrapped in pancetta with a fried risotto cake and red pepper coulis; arugula, cucumbers, tomatoes, potato gaufrette and goat cheese with blood orange vinaigrette; filet mignon with braised greens, potato confit and pomegranate demi-glace and a dessert of chocolate panna cotta with seasonal fruit compote. Paired with each course will be wines from Italy and Argentina, such as a 2011 Laranzini “Monte Cepas” Torrontes and a 2010 Botter “Borgo del Col Alto” Prosecco.

Come to the Wine Dinner at the Publick House Historic Inn on April 25

Don’t miss out! The cost  for the Publick House Wine Dinner is $55 per person, inclusive. For tickets and information, call (508) 347-7323, ext. 400.  Hope to see you there!

What a great day!

Yesterday the Publick House was surrounded by Spring. It was a beautiful Easter Sunday even though the weather was a bit cool.  Inside the Publick House, guests, many of them repeat guests, enjoyed a wonderful holiday dinner with their loved ones.  From parties of two and three up to groups of 13 and more, the atmosphere was festive and bright–a sure sign of the seasons changing.

So many happy people enjoying each other at the Publick House!

A great buffet awaited hungry guests.  Massive cooked shrimp with tangy sauce, green salad with maple dressing, Caesar salad, clam chowder, mashed potatoes, tortellini in tomato coulis, turkey, stuffing, braised lamb, chicken fingers, macaroni and cheese, ham, roast beef…delicious!

Easter basket ice sculpture on the buffet

The hotel was humming throughout the day and it was wonderful to see people lingering in order to talk with each other, hugging family and friends, telling anyone who would listen how much they loved everything.  Most importantly, people made plans to return next year.  And we can’t wait to see you again!

So long....farewell! We look forward to seeing you at another event!

It’s not too early to think about Mother’s Day!  We can’t wait to see you and your family back at the Publick House!

Community Dinners

Come to the next Community Dinner!

Some of the most wonderful events we do at the Publick House are our monthly Community Dinners.  We wanted a way to give back to this community that has been so good to us over the years so we put word out that any charitable organizations looking for a vehicle to raise donations need only ask us and we would have a dinner specifically for that organization.  It started as a trickle at first but now we are approached by many different groups and are proud of how much both the guests and organizations value these events.

 

The cost is $13/Adult and $5/Children and each sponsored organization receives $4 from every dinner served.  The response has been overwhelming. Some people come back again and again if the organizations have special meaning to them.  Below is the schedule of Community Dinners for the rest of 2012:

• April 23 ~ Sturbridge Rotary/Sturbridge Co-op School ~ NEW ENGLAND COMFORT FEAST
• May 7 ~ Black Tavern Dudley/First Congregational Church Oxford ~ TURKEY FEAST
• May 16 ~ Multiple Sclerosis ~ ITALIAN FEAST
• June 4 ~ Charlton Masonic Angel Fund/Tri-Valley Meals on Wheels ~ NEW ENGLAND COMFORT FEAST
• June 13 ~ Multiple Sclerosis ~ TURKEY FEAST
• July 9 ~ Leicester Public Library/Literacy Volunteers ~ ITALIAN FEAST
• August 13 ~ First Baptist Church of North Oxford/Sturbridge Optimist Club ~ NEW ENGLAND COMFORT FEAST
• September 10 ~ Charlton Youth Soccer/Hitchcock Academy ~ TURKEY FEAST
• October 22 ~ Tantasqua Music Association/First Congregational Church Spencer ~ ITALIAN FEAST
• November 12 ~ Autism/Mitochondrial Disease ~ NEW ENGLAND COMFORT FEAST
• December 10 ~ United Church of Christ Federated Webster/Mary Queen of Rosary Parish Spencer ~ TURKEY FEAST

All feasts are All You Can Eat Buffets and include salad, dinner rolls, dessert, coffee, tea, soft drinks and water.  There are two seatings to choose from: either 4:30pm-6:15pm or 6:30-7:30pm. We would love to see you at one of them ~ each for a great cause and all a wonderful chance to visit with friends, family and your neighbors!

If you are interested in having your charitable organization considered for a Community Dinner in 2013 or would just like more information on any of the organizations listed, call us at 508-347-3313.