Abbot Tavern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Abbot Tavern
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 70 Elm St., Andover, Massachusetts |
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| Architectural style | Georgian |
| MPS | Town of Andover MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 82004810 |
| Added to NRHP | June 10, 1982 |
The Abbot Tavern is a very old building in Andover, Massachusetts. It used to be a busy tavern, which is like an old-fashioned inn or pub. Today, it is a private home.
This historic building was likely built in the late 1700s. It is a great example of Georgian architecture, a popular style from that time. The tavern is also important because of its connection to the well-known Abbot family. In 1982, the Abbot Tavern was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a special place worth protecting.
What Does It Look Like?
The former Abbot Tavern is located in Andover, on Elm Street. It is a two-story building made of wood. It has a low, sloped roof and a chimney in the middle. The outside is covered with clapboards, which are long, thin wooden boards.
The front of the building has five windows across. The main door is in the center. It has a small, gabled porch over it. This porch has decorative pillars and a fancy top. The windows on the first floor have 8 panes of glass over 6 panes. The windows on the second floor have 6 panes over 6 panes. These upper windows are placed close to the roof, which is a style called Federal. A two-story section extends from the back of the building.
A Peek into Its Past
The exact year the Abbot Tavern was built is not fully known. Some people used to think it was built around 1680. However, its style clearly shows it was built later, in the Georgian period. The building first appears in town records in 1776. This is when Isaac Abbot asked for permission to run a tavern there.
The Abbot Tavern is famous for hosting an important visitor. George Washington himself stayed there in 1789 when he visited the area. The tavern also served as Andover's very first post office. Isaac Abbot was the town's first postmaster. He was a very important person in the town. He served as a selectman, which is like a town council member. He was also the town clerk.
