Bedford Center Historic District facts for kids
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Bedford Center Historic District
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_Bedford,_Massachusetts.JPG) |
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Great Rd. between Bacon and Concord Rds. and adjacent side streets, Bedford, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 56.15 acres (22.72 ha) (original size) 75 acres (30 ha) (after 2014 amendments) |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Mid 19th Century Revival, Colonial, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 77000165 (original) 14000327 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 17, 1977 |
| Boundary increase | June 13, 2014 |
Welcome to the Bedford Center Historic District! This special area is like the historic heart of Bedford, Massachusetts. It stretches along Great Road, between Bacon and Concord Roads. You'll also find many old homes on nearby streets.
Here, you'll discover important town buildings and the very first cemetery. There are also all sorts of cool houses built over more than 200 years! This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. Later, in 2014, its boundaries were updated. Its historical importance was recognized for an even longer time.
Exploring Bedford's Historic Heart
The area we now call Bedford was first settled in the 1600s. It was first part of Billerica in 1655. Then, in 1729, Bedford became its own town. This included a part of nearby Concord.
The town's main center was set up near its middle. This happened when Bedford became a separate town. A colonial meeting house was built in 1730. The land for it was given by an early settler named Israel Putnam.
How Bedford Grew
The main roads in Bedford grew from older paths. These paths connected Concord and Billerica. Great Road was laid out sometime between 1713 and 1731.
Bedford's first cemetery was started in 1729. It was located just north of the meeting house. This cemetery was the only one in town until 1849.
Important Buildings and Their Stories
The oldest building in the district is the Fitch Tavern. It was built way back in 1710! Most buildings in this historic area were built in the 1700s and 1800s. Some newer buildings are also there, but they fit in well.
The most important building is Bedford's First Parish Church. It's a beautiful Federal-style church built in 1816. It faces the town common, which is a big open grassy area.
Also facing the common is Bedford's town hall. It was built in 1857, but it wasn't always a town hall! It started as a school. Over the years, it was used for many different town activities. Now, it holds the town offices.
When the district was first listed as historic in 1977, its important history went up to 1927. In 2014, the district got bigger. It grew by about 20 acres. Also, its period of historical importance was extended all the way to 1967. This means buildings built up to 1967 are now considered part of its special history.
