Martha Stewart hosts holiday tree lighting at Bedford Post Inn

On By Littum

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Before Sunday hospitality opening year operation of Bedford Post Inna Relais & Chateaux property, the group tapped local Martha Stewart from Bedford to creatively direct the inn’s festive decor.

With her ties to the community and the new Netflix documentary about her, the holidays at the iconic location are sure to be merry and bright, especially since the centerpiece of the installation—two towering Christmas trees, one in the Tavern restaurant and one outside—is sourced from Stewart’s evergreen tree farm, which is down the road.

Stewart was in attendance at the Tavern on December 6 and hosted an intimate tree lighting ceremony complete with mulled wine and hors d’oeuvres. Proceeds from the evening went to The Martha Stewart Center for Living at Mount Sinai hospital.

On December 7, the inn has invited the town of Bedford to another tree lighting event.

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The Bedford Post Inn dates back to the 18th century, when the main building served as an important stagecoach stop along the Old Post Road, a major thoroughfare connecting New York City with Boston. It was originally built in 1762. During the Revolutionary War, Bedford and its surrounding areas played a central role as a strategic outpost. The inn, with its vantage point and resources, is believed to have provided shelter and sustenance to soldiers and local militia. Stories passed down through the generations suggest that the inn’s wine cellar may have been used as a hiding place for valuable supplies and even people in times of conflict. In the 18th and 19th centuries it continued to be a haven for weary travelers and mail riders looking for respite. As transportation developed and the age of the stagecoach waned, the Bedford Post Inn transitioned to a private residence. In 2007, actor Richard Gere and his business partner Russell Hernandez purchased the property and embarked on an extensive renovation project to restore the property to its former glory, keeping its history in mind while incorporating modern luxuries. Today, the inn and its restaurants — The Tavern and The Barn — are managed by Sunday Hospitality. The restaurant’s reopening was covered by The Journal News/lohud in June.

Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her latest articles and follow her latest eating adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via lohudfood newsletter.