The Griswold Inn Continues Gris250 with “Faith and Fortune” Author Talks, Nov. 8 & 15

As The Griswold Inn continues its 250th anniversary celebration, the Inn will welcome the inn’s co-owner and author Geoffrey Paul and award-winning maritime historian and author Steven Ujifusa for two special talks featuring their new book, Faith and Fortune: Henry and Amelia Champlin and America’s Maritime Ascendancy. The talks will be held Sundays, November 8 and November 15, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at The Griswold Inn. 

At its heart, Faith and Fortune is the story of an Essex couple, Henry and Amelia Champlin, and the life and family they built along the Connecticut River during a transformative period in American history. Their story is one of ambition and enterprise, but also of devotion, separation, sacrifice, and resilience. Their experiences offer an intimate look at an Essex family whose world extended far beyond Connecticut's shores.

The book spans a century from 1780 to 1880, following the Champlin family against the backdrop of the War of 1812, the opening of the Erie Canal, the rise of New York as America’s largest port, the advent of transatlantic steamships, and the Civil War. Through their lives, readers discover how seafaring families in Essex and throughout the Connecticut River Valley were connected to a vast maritime trade network stretching from New England and New York to Great Britain, France, and beyond.

“By weaving the Champlins’ personal story into larger historical events and economic changes, we hope Faith and Fortune brings to life a lesser-known chapter of American history,” says Geoffrey Paul. “It’s also a story about the family ties, beliefs, and community traditions that helped connect a young nation to an expanding world of commerce and opportunity.”

“This is such a fitting story to share during our 250th anniversary year because so much of it happened right here in Essex,” says Joan Paul, co-owner of The Griswold Inn. “The Champlins were part of a community shaped by the Connecticut River and the sea, and Geoffrey has spent years bringing their story and this remarkable period in our local history to life.”

Tickets are $65 and include light fare, a hardcover copy of the book, and the opportunity to engage with Geoffrey Paul and Steven Ujifusa. Advanced copies will be available at The Griswold Inn Store - Goods & Curiosities beginning October 21, 2026. 

Reservations are required, as space is limited. To register, visit The Griswold Inn’s website at https://store.griswoldinn.com/products/faith-and-fortune-book-talk, visit The Griswold Inn Store ~ Goods & Curiosities, or call 860.767.0210.

About Geoffrey Paul                                                                                             Geoffrey Paul is an Essex, Connecticut native, co-owner of The Griswold Inn, and lifelong student of local history. A former Wall Street executive, he has spent decades researching and preserving the stories, artifacts, and historic properties of Essex and the Connecticut River Valley. A frequent lecturer, Geoffrey has worked with museums and cultural institutions throughout the region. Six years of research with co-author Steven Ujifusa led to Faith and Fortune, exploring Connecticut’s role in America’s maritime rise. 

For more information about Faith and Fortune: Henry and Amelia Champlin and America’s Maritime Ascendancy, visit www.faithandfortunebook.com

About The Griswold Inn                                                                                          The Griswold Inn, located in the heart of the historic seaport village of Essex, Connecticut, first opened its doors for business in 1776, promising “First Class Accommodations, Fine Food and Spirits.” Two hundred and fifty years later, the Inn still lives up to that promise. The Paul family has owned and operated the iconic piece of our country’s history for over 30 years. The Griswold Inn is at the forefront of historic inns and is one of the most popular destinations in Connecticut. Easily accessible by land and sea, it caters to neighbors, yachtsmen, and overland travelers from around the world. 

To learn more about this historic property, please visit griswoldinn.com.

The Griswold Inn, 36 Main Street, Essex, Connecticut, 860.767.1776, griswoldinn.com