The Groton Inn: Building Community by Keeping It Local

by Barbara Scofidio

   The Groton Inn has made it its mission to support the local community through the events it holds and partnering with local businesses.

   The Inn employs about 160 people from throughout Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. Some are Groton residents, others grew up here. General Manager Michael Noseworthy, a Groton resident himself, leads a team that keeps coming up with creative ideas to engage the community, from yoga on the lawn overlooking Gibbet Hill, to candle- making workshops led by Kitchen Sink Candle Co., to a popular “Yappy Hour.”

   “Our vision when we started was clear: to make our property a true local destination, a place where the community can gather and create memories that last a lifetime,” said Noseworthy.

   Where do all the ideas come from? “Each month, our team comes together for an events calendar meeting, where we brainstorm and share ideas,” he said. “It’s a collaborative process—one idea often sparks another, and a simple concept can grow into one of our most successful events.”

Locally Sourced Ingredients

  The Forge & Vine culinary team partners with local farms and purveyors to source a variety of ingredients, among them Dowie micro green farm in Londonderry, N.H., which provides  London Buzz Bees honey, Blackwater mustard, and maple syrup and sugar from Journeys End Maple Farm, all made in N.H.; Clark Farm in Carlisle for vegetables, meats, and microgreens; the Herb Lyceum in Groton for fruits and vegetables, as well as the decorative gourds on display every fall; and Fat Moon Farm in Chelmsford  for organic gourmet mushrooms.

   All the beers on its draft beer list are from New England breweries, including Spyglass Brewing in Nashua and Rapscallion in Acton. The Inn just featured Harvard’s Carlson Orchards for their annual Orchard Night, and has its ciders on the menu.

   The Groton Inn food truck, which launched in spring 2024, has been a creative new addition. It’s a casual complement to Forge & Vine, with a rotating menu and special events that often include live music, such as “Fish Fry Fridays,” pub nights, and even brunches featuring sweet and savory breakfast and lunch selections and brunch drinks.

     Local Art and Music

   The Inn taps into local talent in a variety of ways. NOA Gallery showcases rotating displays of New England artists lining the Inn’s lobby and main hallway; the current show, “Sacred Places”, features the photography of Ron Rosenstock and Michael Goodman. In the entryway of Forge & Vine is an always-changing collection of art by members of the Nashoba Valley Artists Guild. 

   There’s also live music every Thursday—whether in the restaurant or outside by the food truck—as well as concerts in the courtyard. A list of upcoming musicians can be found on the web site. 

   The Inn has also recently expanded its collection of locally made gifts for guests to include Groton mugs handcrafted by Virginia Wood of Old School Clay and Ceramics (located in the Prescott Community Center); maple syrup from Echo Ridge Farm in Lee, N.H.; candles from Kitchen Sink Candle Co. (located inside Glorie Dayz); and brand-new postcards by Groton photographer From Farm to Coast.

Partnering with Local 

Businesses 

   For meeting groups, The Groton Inn recommends team-building activities led by local businesses, such as stained glass classes at Periwinkle Glassworks in the Prescott Community Center, cooking lessons at Third Space at Mill Run Plaza, and canoeing at Nashoba Paddler. 

   It also offers exclusive guest discounts at many businesses in town, including WellBeing Fitness, Coco Home Décor & Gifts, and Facets, etc. 

   The Groton Inn is firmly planted on the Metro Boston wedding map, averaging one wedding per week, with three in its busiest month (October). Every wedding contributes to the local economy through room taxes, and many couples hire local vendors, from limos to musicians to photographers. Two favorites are Lavender for floral and Dolce Amar wedding cakes.

   Some of the most rewarding partnerships are those with the local nonprofits. In August, the Inn partnered with Groton’s Seven Hills Pediatric Center to host a fundraising event that included an auction of residents’ paintings. Coming up, “Photos with Santa” will invite guests to contribute non-perishable food items for Loaves & Fishes in Ayer. The Inn’s monthly “Yappy Hour” (sponsored by Tito’s Vodka) raises both funds and awareness for local animal rescues.

   Looking ahead, Noseworthy says he wants to add more of these types of give-back events. “We want to continue growing with the community by offering a wide range of experiences, including hosting more events with local charities—and introducing fresh ideas that excite and engage people.”◆