29: Stafford House/Tavern

Stafford House (renamed so for its previous owners) was built in 1912-1913 as the Laconia Tavern Hotel. Benjamin Piscopo (New Piscopo Block, Colonial Theater) was an investor. 

Advertised as a modern upscale hotel with amenities, the 75 rooms came with or without private baths, telephones, and hardwood floors with rugs. Elevators, electric lights, and its own automobile garage made this hotel very modern. Among guests of the hotel were President Eisenhower in 1955, John F. Kennedy, Richard M. Nixon and Henry Ford).

The building was operated as The Tavern Hotel until late September 1969 when it was converted into apartments under the Stafford House name. Laconia Housing Authority then purchased it and converted the building to independent-living apartments for low-income clients and clients with disabilities.  There are 50 one-bedroom and studio apartments in the structure.

In addition to its hotel rooms, the Dining Room (later, a Bar and Coffee Shop) and function rooms were well patronized by local residents, organizations and social clubs for meetings.

For many years, “the” place for special occasion dinners was The Tavern Dining Room. The Ski Room was popular for meetings and other functions. And, for many years, the Chamber of Commerce offices were located in the building’s basement. From 1913 to the late-1930s, New Year’s Eve parties at The Tavern were popular. For a couple of decades, The Laconia Evening Citizen held an annual Authors Tea in the Main Dining Room.