Welcome to Hospitality as Sweet as Apple Pie! :-)
Play the lead in your very own seafaring fable when you stay at the 1784 Denison Home.
Our lovingly restored, dog-friendly New England vacation home is in the hamlet of Old Mystic, near the head of the Mystic River, around the corner from scenic River Rd. With 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, it comfortably accommodates 10 guests.
Think Colonial charm combined with modern amenities for 21st-century comfort and a splash of pure, homegrown hospitality to make your Mystic stay most relaxing!
Built by the relatives of the original family who settled on the east side of Mystic River, the 1784 Denison Home oozes with history and character! Located in the original colonial settlement of Mystic, it is a short ride—3 miles—to sightseeing and Mystic eateries.
We're delighted you found us and would love a moment to share what's unique about this home!
DENISON HOME HISTORY
The history buff in you will love the antiques and original features that pay homage to Mystic's maritime heritage~ nautical murals, wide-planked floors, a beehive oven, square headnails, period trim, and a large center chimney that powers five working fireplaces!
The 1784 Denison Home was built by John Denison, a prominent family name who settled in colonial Mystic, CT. Mr. Denison was a hat maker by trade (or did he ever become a "mad hatter"). The 1st floor was most likely a hat store while he lived there.
After various owners, Charles Vincent purchased this house in the 1960s and turned the first floor into the Old Mystic Bookstore, and when he turned 80, he sold it and moved to Maine~ he specialized in obscure 1st edition books and maritime maps, housing over 20,000-30,000 pieces. The locals remember the bookstore well and said you could hardly move through the rooms as books and maps rambled along on all surfaces from top to bottom, but Vincent always knew where his books and maps were when a customer put in a request. You can still see his maps preserved in the front hallway to this day!
This wonderful home was then renovated into a bed & breakfast and ran as the Old Mystic Inn for 33 years until 2019 when Michael, chef and last innkeeper, served his last guests his famous scrumptious breakfast.
This dear antique house has much history and many stories to tell over its 250 years and is meant to continue to open its doors to visitors who desire to experience a piece of that history, too! If only walls had ears, imagine the stories they could recount~ perhaps you can listen and hear the walls whisper words of the past!
HIGHLIGHTS
* Nautical touches, antiques, modern amenities, and an eye for detail fill each room
* Perfect set up for family and friend gatherings
* 5 ensuite bedrooms set over the first and second floors
* Fully equipped kitchen
* Central Mystic location is within a few minutes drive of attractions and the Mystic River
* Library room filled with books and Sonos music system
* New super comfy Casper memory foam mattresses and fresh pillows in every bedroom
* TVs in every bedroom
* High-speed internet
* Whimsical nautical murals by artist Susan Leach grace the walls of the Keeping Room and each Guest Room, depicting * Mystic history and the vessels the rooms are named after.
* Outdoor firepit
* Multiple outdoor seating areas
* Plenty of parking available~ up to 5 spaces
LOCATION
Located in the hamlet of Old Mystic at the head of the Mystic River, the 1784 Denison is just a 3-mile ride to the Mystic Seaport, shops, and restaurants. Enjoy seaport history and walk or bike ride on the scenic River Road just around the corner from this Mystic vacation home~ we also offer bikes based on season and subject availability.
Haley's Way Playground and Field, located behind the property, is a great place to bring the kids and your pup to run.
Please note that the property is on Main Street and across from the Old Mystic Post Office, which is busy during the day but a quiet and peaceful hamlet in the evenings.
LIVING & ENTERTAINING
Various common rooms and a library mean your family or friend group can spread out and relax completely during your stay. Whether you want to come together as a group or take some 'you' time in a relaxing, private nook,
The Keeping Room (1st floor)
An intimate room for connecting, it features a historic working beehive oven, a panoramic mural, a Sonos speaker, and board games.
Library & Sitting Room (2nd floor)
For the bookworms of your group, our library features a great book collection with nautical books aplenty. There is a work desk (for catching up with the office) and a Sonos speaker for streaming music.
The library leads into a warm, welcoming sitting room with a 43" Sony Smart Android TV. Enjoy movie night or cozy up for an intimate catch-up.
COOKING & DINING
Cook from the heart in our kitchen~ fully equipped with everything you need to whip up fabulous meals during your stay.
Open plan to the dining room with a country-style dining table to seat 10 guests, enjoy laughter, love, and conversation, and a Sonos music system for background music.
SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS - Five ensuite bedrooms
In honor of the Mystic Seaport Maritime Museum, we named our 5 bedrooms after the National Registered Historic Vessels that call Mystic their home.
All bedrooms feature historically themed Susan Leach murals, Casper memory foam mattresses, fresh pillows and beautiful linens, 32" Smart TVs with Roku Stick, alarm clocks with sleep sounds, USB charger ports on each bedside, plenty of soft fluffy towels, and complimentary toiletries so that you can pack lighter.
Bedroom 1: Charles Morgan, Last Wooden Whaleship (1st floor)
Sleeps 2; with queen bed, a closet, a work desk, and a working fireplace (October-April), cozy sitting area for two, and an ensuite private full bath.
Bedroom 2: Joseph Conrad Full-Rigged Ship (1st floor)
Sleeps 2; with queen bed, armoire, dresser, desk, working fireplace (October-April), cozy sitting area for 2, and an ensuite private full.
Bedroom 3: L.A. Dunton: Fishing Schooner (2nd floor)
Sleeps 2: king bed, armoire, dresser, table with two chairs, loveseat, private balcony, and an ensuite full bath.
Bedroom 4: Sabino: Steamboat (2nd floor)
Sleeps 2: king bed, armoire, dresser, desk/table, and a working fireplace (October-April), cozy sitting area for 2, and a detached private full bath.
Bedroom 5: Emma C. Berry: Noank Smack (2nd floor)
Sleeps 2; queen bed, armoire, dresser, desk/table, working fireplace (October-April), cozy sitting area for 2, and an ensuite full bath.
OUTDOOR SPACES
Chill out in the side yard with the gazebo, around the fire pit (bundle of wood provided), furnished with 6 Adirondack chairs, 2 hammocks, patio tables, an outside couch with a fire table, and a large propane grill (propane provided).
FAMILY & DOG
You'll find a high chair, pack-n-play, baby tub for little guests, and plenty of board games and books to keep younger guests occupied.
We welcome 2 well-behaved dogs. Please check out our house rules at the bottom and confirm dog guests when you book.
Our fee is $75/pet.
PROPERTY TRUTHS
The Denison Home is on Main Street across from the Old Mystic Post Office. It's busy during the day but a quiet and peaceful hamlet in the evenings.
Circa 1784, the floorboards are wide and move and creak a bit.
Sometimes doors stick and need a push or a pull, as wood naturally expands and contracts with the New England weather.
The driveway connects to the Carriage House, and occasionally a guest might not have read all the information about parking~ if a Carriage House guest parks in your area and you prefer they don't, please let us know, so we can take care of it for you.
Guests have access to the entire home~ inside and out. Please note: the side yard with the gazebo is a shared space with our Carriage House guests.
PET GUIDELINES:
Pet Fee $75.00 per pet ONLY DOGS allowed- no cats or other pets.
2 small/medium dog limit
Pets are allowed with the following understanding:
1. Dogs are 100% house-trained. Traveling dogs can get anxious and confused, causing accidents even for a house-trained dog.
***If your dog pees inside, this will cause a great deal of confusion for future dogs staying at the Williams Home & Smith Cottage as they may pee on top of your dog's pee, causing an upset for everyone. When arriving, please immediately introduce the yard to your dog to establish where the potty is located.***
2. Pets are well-behaved and good-natured.
3. Pets are not left alone for more than a few hours.
4. Pets are crated or quarantined, so they don't roam freely throughout the property when left alone. 5. Owners clean up outside after their pets
6. Owners keep their pets on a leash when appropriate, as Mystic is busy.
7. Kindly let us know your dog's breed~ we'd welcome an image of your pet
We are sure you would love to stay at the 1784 Denison Home, and we'd love to host you!
Warmly,
Debbie (& Paul, too)
Mystic Vacation Rentals LLC
