Ketcham Inn, built in 1693, was a historic inn and tavern. Originally built as a single-story frame cottage, it was expanded to a two-story structure with a rear wing and gable roof about 1710 and 1790. The location was originally called the Moriches Inn and has served as a tavern, inn, stagecoach stop, and public house.
It once hosted two future presidents, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. The inn at the time was owned by William Terry. William Terry’s descendants sold the property to Andrew Ketcham in 1852. It was used as a local courthouse and other purposes and stayed in the Ketcham family until the early 1900s. It remained in use until 1989, when a fire broke out to portions of the building.
The inn represents life in 18th Century Long Island. In 1989, a small group of local citizens was formed to clean the inn. The group incorporated to form the Ketcham Inn Foundation.
In 1993, the group purchased the land. The kitchen has been remodeled and is currently the office and keeper’s quarters. The foundation continues to raise funds for restoring the structure to its original condition. The inn observed the first phase of restoration on July 4, 2015 with a public reception. The inn provides educational programs and events are held during the year.
The Book Barn, adjacent to the inn is open. Ketcham Inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Sources:
Corry, Carl. “The Center Moriches Inn Where Future Presidents Stayed.” Greater Long Island, 18 Feb. 2019, greaterlongisland.com/the-center-moriches-inn-where-future-presidents-stayed/.
“Historic Site.” Ketcham Inn, Havens Homestead, www.visithistoriclongisland.com/Suffolk_Ketcham_Havens_Homestead.html. Accessed 30 Sept. 2024.
