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Legendary Tales. Timeless Mission.

Since 1944, The Wayside Inn Foundation has been responsible for the preservation of this historic landmark.

Our Mission

“The Wayside Inn is a nonprofit charitable Massachusetts corporation created in 1944 to own, operate, and maintain The Wayside Inn Historic Site, a campus of nine historic buildings on more than 100 acres. Its mission promotes early American humanities through hospitality, education, and programming, and continues an innkeeping tradition dating back to 1716. The site provides an opportunity for visitors from near and far to gather, engage, and find meaning, relevance, and inspiration through a place-based exploration of history.”

From its 18th century beginnings as an important stagecoach stop, to its 19th century immortalization by poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, to Henry Ford’s expansion and historic preservation of the property as a living museum of American history in the 20th century, The Wayside Inn offers the 21st century visitor a unique window into over 300 years of American history.

The nine historic structures on our property and under our care include:

  • Longfellow’s Wayside Inn, the original parts of which date back to 1707 as the How family home.
  • The Grist Mill, built in 1929 by Henry Ford as an operating mill.
  • The Martha-Mary Chapel, built in 1940 by Henry Ford and named after his mother and mother-in-law.
  • The Redstone Schoolhouse, built in 1798 and believed to be the schoolhouse of “Mary Had a Little Lamb” fame.
  • The Old Barn, built in the early 1800s by the How family.
  • The Ice House, dating from the 1930s and built by Henry Ford to store harvested ice.
  • The Cider Mill, built by Henry Ford in 1930 to hold a cider press for apple processing.
  • The Gate House (or Coach House), built in 1913 by owner Edward R. Lemon from reclaimed Colonial-era timbers for storing of stagecoaches.
  • The Cold Storage (Root) Cellar, an underground facility built by Henry Ford for produce processing and storage.

Our majestic 100+ acre property features lush meadows, grassy fields, pine forests, babbling brooks, and beautiful ponds making it a peaceful and idyllic New England landscape seemingly lost in time. Explore our beautiful grounds with our trail map or enjoy a picnic on the lawn in front of the stone Grist Mill, listening to the rush of its soothing waterfall.

While private property, The Wayside Inn Historic Site is free to access and enjoy and is maintained by The Wayside Inn Foundation through hospitality revenue and generous support from visitors like you.

Board of Trustees

Since transitioning to a charitable nonprofit in 1944, The Wayside Inn organization (doing business as The Wayside Inn Foundation) has been overseen by an all-volunteer board of trustees. Over the years, our board has been composed of members of the Ford family, notable historians, prominent business executives, and renowned academicians. Our current board is composed  local professionals and community volunteers with a passion for the historic property, a commitment to our mission through active committee work, and unique skills and experience that bring extraordinary value to all aspects of our operations. As trustees, it is our privilege to be stewards of this important historic place and valuable community resource. Day-to-day affairs of the organization are managed by both an Innkeeper/General Manager and Director of Community Engagement, both who report to the board.

Gary Christelis

President

Gary is a corporate transactional attorney, businessman and angel investor with extensive legal and commercial management and operational experience. He is an accomplished leader in building successful teams, scaling companies, and managing risks and complex transactions, with particular expertise working with high tech startups. In addition to serving on the board of The Wayside Inn Foundation, he is on the board of trustees of Danforth Art Alliance, Inc., which supports the Danforth Art Museum at Framingham State University. Gary and his wife, Doris, live in Sudbury in a home that was formerly part of The Wayside Inn School for Boys, which sparked his interest in getting involved with The Wayside Inn.

Charles "Ted" Jandl

Vice President , Chair of Executive and Governance Committee

Ted grew up in Wayland, was married in the Martha-Mary Chapel, and has long enjoyed The Wayside Inn and the beautiful grounds around it. Professionally, he has been an executive sales leader for several enterprise business software organizations, including Cognos, and IBM for 30 years. Ted’s interests as a Trustee center around Development, Fundraising and greater community connections through the Inn’s values around preservation, culture, and self-sustainment. He lives in Sudbury with his wife, Biene, and has 3 children.

Michele DiVito

Treasurer

Michele is a certified public accountant and a Senior Director at RSM US LLP in the assurance practice group. Her work focuses on nonprofit clients in the education, international non-governmental organizations, health and welfare, and foundation sectors in the area of auditing and financial consulting. In addition to serving on the board of The Wayside Inn Foundation, she is treasurer of the board of trustees of Danforth Art Alliance, Inc., which supports the Danforth Art Museum at Framingham State University. Michele lives in Ashland with her family.

Maura Carty

Clerk

Having spent her professional life in the accounting and finance industries, where she currently services multiple clients as an independent contractor, Maura Carty enjoys dedicating her spare time to various Sudbury-based non profit organizations. Maura currently sits on the boards for Sudbury Swim and Tennis, the Lincoln-Sudbury Parent Organization, and L-S’s Jamaica Jammin. Maura graduated from Regis College in Weston MA with a Bachelors Degree in Management. A native of Pittsfield, MA, Maura has lived in Sudbury with her husband Dan for over twenty years and they, along with their three children, are happy to call it home.

Jon Delli Priscolli

Trustee

Jon is committed to the preservation of historic buildings and landscapes. He is a patron of the arts and an avid collector of American antiques from the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. His latest projects have been restoring “Leyden Cottage” an 1852 Gothic revival estate in Carver, MA and “Deerfoot” an 1847 Estate, 2nd-Empire French mansion located in Southborough, MA. He serves as a Trustee on the Sippican Historical Society in Marion, MA where he resides with his wife and children.

John Drobinski

Trustee, Co-Chair of Facilities Committee

John is a professional geologist and a licensed site professional who holds degrees in chemistry and geology. He is a principal partner at Environmental Resources Management, a global environmental consultancy. John specializes in hazardous waste site remediation and the siting and permitting of critical facilities and renewable energy projects. He has more than 30 years of public service to the citizens of Sudbury including 27 years as a selectman and past member of the Planning Board. He is currently chairman of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail Design Committee. He is also a member of the Massachusetts Municipal Association Energy and Environment Committee that assists cities and towns working with the Commonwealth on these matters. John and his wife Patty have lived in town for more than forty years and currently live in a historic farmhouse constructed in 1820. Together they have celebrated many family events at the Inn, including the marriage of their daughter at The Martha-Mary Chapel and reception at the Inn. John especially enjoys driving around town in his 1952 MGTD antique roadster, spending time on the coast of southern Maine and relishes time with his three young grandchildren who also live in Sudbury.

Laurie Ensley

Trustee

A lifelong resident of the area, Laurie is passionate about preserving its history, protecting its landscape, and promoting its culture. Over her career she has worked with many nonprofits, including secondary and higher educational institutions, arts organizations, and youth sports programs, primarily in development and communications roles. She enjoys connecting with people and hopes to help the Wayside Inn Foundation grow its community relationships. Laurie lives with her family in Sudbury and is a librarian at the Goodnow Library.

Lily Gordon

Trustee, Co-Chair Development Committee

Following a successful career as an attorney, retail operator, and IT entrepreneur, Lily Gordon dedicates her time to community services, continuing a lifelong passion for supporting arts, education and safety on both local and state levels. She has been an active board member on, and fundraiser for, numerous organizations focusing on arts, education, human rights and safety, including the Goodnow Library in Sudbury, Young Audiences of Massachusetts, and The Wayside Inn Foundation, where she has served in many board positions, including as board president. Lily has received a number of awards and citations for her public service over the years, and resides in Sudbury.

Shervin B. Hawley

Trustee, Chair of Marketing and Branding Committee

Shervin is a long-time customer experience and branding professional. He started a successful design and advertising agency before moving to IBM where he was the Global Chief Creative Officer for IBM Interactive. Shervin has led creative, branding, and customer experience engagements for some of the world’s most familiar brands. Shervin has a passion for American History, and is a member and leader of many lineage societies. Shervin has traveled to more than 100 countries and lived in 23 locations across the world and is proud to call his favorite of all, Sudbury, home. He lives in the historic Bigelow Parsonage (1773) in Sudbury Town Center with his wife Carrie, whom he married at The Wayside Inn. He is a direct descendent of many of Sudbury’s first families including the Hows.

John Ho

Trustee, Co-Chair of Development Committee

John grew up in Chelmsford and now lives in Sudbury with his wife and four children in the historic Wayside Inn district. Professionally, John is an MIT-trained technologist and Partner with Anzu Partners, where he leads the Boston office and supports Anzu’s portfolio companies with their business development and strategic growth initiatives. When he’s not at work, John enjoys strolling through the trails of the Wayside Inn property with his young family, which always features a stop in front of the picturesque Grist Mill. In addition to being a newer member of the Board of Trustees, John serves as the Treasurer for the Sudbury Cooperative Preschool.

Tom Prince

Trustee, Chair of Hospitality and Operations Committee

Tom Prince is a 30 year resident of Sudbury and, more recently, North Framingham. As the founder of Tomasso Trattoria in Southborough, Tom brings extensive restaurant and hospitality experience to the Board. He is particularly excited to help translate the traditions and history of The Wayside Inn to meet the tastes and expectations of today’s guests.

Kevin ten Brinke

Trustee, Co-Chair of Facilities Committee

Kevin ten Brinke is a LEED certified registered architect, and the is owner and principal of KT2 Design Group, an established architectural firm in Sudbury, Massachusetts. After graduating from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Kevin carved his path as a professional architect working for both commercial and residential firms. His current firm has a focus on high-end residential projects and large compound development. As a lifelong resident of Sudbury, He has seen Sudbury and The Wayside Inn through different lenses over many years, and has a passion for not just preserving the history of such a special New England asset, but also to enhance it and make it stand the test of time for the next generations. Kevin resides in Sudbury with his family.

Jim Wiegel

Trustee, Chair of Programming Committee

Jim is an executive vice president of a convertible bond manager serving institutional and high net worth clients. He is a Certified Financial Planner with investment management experience working with several non-profit organizations. He is a director of the Military Historical Society of Massachusetts, the incipient Massachusetts Air & Space Museum, Sudbury American Legion Post 191, and president of the 76 Club of Boston. He is a graduate of West Point, George Washington University, Babson College, and Boston University. A retired Colonel in the US Army he is also a colonial reenactor with the Sudbury Militia and Minute Companies that meet, drill, and host living history events at The Wayside Inn. He and his family have lived in Sudbury for over 36 years.

Our Team. Key Staff.

The Wayside Inn Foundation employs a highly experienced staff that is dedicated to our hospitality operations and broader educational and cultural mission.

Steve Pickford

Innkeeper and General Manager

Sally Purrington Hild

Director of Community Engagement

Tyler Karpeichik

Executive Chef

Lauren Prescott

Archivist

John O'Brien

Assistant Innkeeper

Tara Murphy

Assistant Innkeeper

Katie Fairfield

Restaurant Manager

Mark MacKay

Catering Sales Manager

Address

72 Wayside Inn Road

Sudbury, MA 01776

Hours

Dining Hours

Monday-Saturday: 11:30AM-7:30 PM

Sunday: Noon-7:30 PM

Our Grounds are Open to the Public from

Dawn to Dusk

Contact

Dining, Lodging, Functions, & Events

tel 1.978.443.1776

email info@wayside.org

Foundation Office

tel 1.978.295.1716

email twif@wayside.org

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The Wayside Inn Foundation is a Massachusetts 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization responsible for preservation of over 100 acres and nine historic buildings including Longfellow’s Wayside Inn.

Contribute

As a nonprofit organization, The Wayside Inn Foundation welcomes your contribution to support our mission. We thank you for your generous support.

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