Donald B. Reid

Donald was born on the first of January, 1928, in Manchester, NH, the first-born in the state that year. A graduate of Central High School in Manchester, Harvard University (BA) and Trinity College (MA), He settled in Glastonbury, CT, purchasing the 1720’s Jonathan Hale House on Main Street, which he styled as Butternut Farm. Donald was a knowledgeable and dedicated antiquarian, providing the house with perfectly suited period furnishings. He enjoyed brief positions as a banker with CB&T, and as an elementary teacher of French language at the Academy School, Colchester, but his enduring accomplishments grew from his passion for things historical, especially of Colonial New England. He fashioned Butternut Farm as an 18th century gentleman’s household, with proper gardens and other plantings; also a barnyard, notably complete over the years with laying hens, runner ducks, a pair of geese, fantail doves and Oberhasli dairy goats. And always a cat or two in the house, his favorite lap pet.

Donald became well known in Glastonbury, a contributing member of the Historical Society and the Town Beautification Committee, recognition by the JCC’s and any number of informal social connections. But he surely became best known as proprietor of “Butternut Farm B & B - Living in the Eighteenth Century”. He was a wonderful host, charming, witty, a gourmet chef, flipping eggs for breakfast: he did them three ways and if you stayed for more than three overnights you got the first all over again.

He always wanted to share his home and began in the 1960’s to offer it as a dining party venue to various groups of no more than eight, whose hosts would bring their own wine and guests, gathering in the keeping room before coming to table for a pre-selected menu of Donald’s own culinary expertise, the dining room awash in candlelight. In later years he outgrew his local reputation when one of the weekend guests set up an internet website for him and Butternut Farm became a choice destination for numbers of people from around the U.S. and internationally. There would often be the same introductory conversation: “Oh, Mister Reid, such a beautiful early house, and when was it built?” Donald would tell them “1720”. So, how long have you lived here, Mister Reid.” And Irving, Donald’s not so silent partner, would answer, “Since 1720 .” That much for formality.

His personal charisma, intellectual and aesthetic sensibilities and ambitious creativity were hugely inspiring influences for his immediate family. Butternut Farm became the iconic gathering place for close and extended family gatherings, such as Thanksgiving and Easter, for well over 60 years.

Toward the end of WWII he interrupted the last of his studies at Harvard by enlisting in the US Army, and was stationed in Rome as a company clerk. That eventually enabled the traveling he loved to do, living enthusiastically in Paris for a while after the war, taking classes at L’Ecole de Paris, bicycling all the way to Sweden, where he helped harvest cabbages … all with friends along the way. Traveling became important, and in later life there were grand visits to Ireland, England, France, Italy, Bermuda; and at home, over twenty annual vacation trips to a much favored rental cottage on Monhegan, off mid-coast Maine; a star visitor for many residents there.

Donald is survived by his life partner in marriage, Irving W. Hopkins; his niece, Kristen Mitchell and her husband, Bill; Charles (Chuck) Stuart, his close nephew; and eleven other nieces and nephews of the Reid and Hopkins families, who dearly love Donald with all their hearts.

Private funerary arrangements are in charge of the Glastonbury Funeral Home (D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel). There will be no calling hours but a celebration of Donald’s life will be held at a future time. In lieu of other consideration, memorial contributions in honor of Donald’s life may be made to the Glastonbury Historical Society, 1944 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033.