Bigelow Tavern Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Bigelow Tavern Historic District
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 60, 64 and 65 Worcester Street, West Boylston, Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Area | 1.6 acres (0.65 ha) |
| Built | 1810 |
| Architectural style | Georgian, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 92000043 |
| Added to NRHP | September 24, 1992 |
The Bigelow Tavern Historic District is a special historical area in West Boylston, Massachusetts. It includes three important old buildings: the Bigelow Tavern, the White/Gibbs Store, and Temple's Distillery. These buildings were once owned by the same people. This area was a very important spot in West Boylston from the late 1700s to the late 1800s. Because of its history, the district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.
Contents
What is the Bigelow Tavern Historic District?
The Bigelow Tavern and its nearby buildings are found in the middle of West Boylston. They are located north of the town's main common, on both sides of Worcester Street. This street is also known as Massachusetts Routes 12 and 140.
Exploring the Historic Buildings
Let's take a closer look at each of the three buildings in this historic district.
The Bigelow Tavern
On the east side of Worcester Street, you'll find the Bigelow Tavern. This building is two and a half stories tall. It is made of wood and has a roof that slopes down on two sides. It has a chimney in the middle and is covered with flat wooden boards called clapboard. The tavern faces south, looking towards the cemetery. A smaller, one-story section extends from the tavern to the east, connecting it to a small shed.
The Distillery
Across the street from the tavern is a building that used to be a distillery. A distillery is a place where certain drinks were made. This building looks like a one-and-a-half-story Cape-style house, facing east. Even though it is now used as a home, it still has many features inside that show its original purpose as a distillery.
The Tavern Store
North of the old distillery stands the tavern store. This building is also two and a half stories tall and made of wood. The front of the store has five windows or doors. The main entrance is in the middle. Inside, there is a large room at the front. Smaller rooms are located at the back, on either side of a central staircase.
A Look Back in Time: West Boylston's Early Days
West Boylston was settled in the 1700s. It officially became a town in 1808, formed from parts of nearby towns.
How the Town Grew
The town's common, which is like a central park, was created in 1795. This was also when the town's first church was built. The village center of West Boylston grew up around these important spots. The Bigelow properties, including the tavern, distillery, and store, were built between about 1790 and 1810. They were like the town's very first shopping and business center.
Changes Over Time
Ezra Bigelow was the first person to run the tavern. His family members continued to operate it until 1833. The distillery was also an early business. However, it likely closed because of the growing temperance movement. This was a time when many people wanted to stop the sale of certain drinks. All of these businesses relied on selling drinks to some extent. They were also likely affected when the church moved further south in 1832 after it burned down.
