Briggs Tavern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Briggs Tavern
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Rehoboth, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1780 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| MPS | Rehoboth MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 83000636 |
| Added to NRHP | June 6, 1983 |
The Briggs Tavern is a very old building in Rehoboth, Massachusetts. It was built around 1780. A "tavern" was like an inn or a hotel where travelers could eat, drink, and stay overnight. Today, this historic building is a private home. It's special because it's the only commercial building from the 1700s that still stands in Rehoboth. The Briggs Tavern was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
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What is the Briggs Tavern?
The Briggs Tavern is a historic building that once served as a public house. In the 1700s and 1800s, taverns were important places. They were often meeting spots for people in the community. Travelers would stop there for a meal or a place to sleep. The Briggs Tavern was a busy center in its time.
Where is the Briggs Tavern Located?
You can find the old Briggs Tavern building in a quiet, rural part of northern Rehoboth. It sits at the corner of Anawan Street and Tremont Street. These roads have been important travel routes for a very long time. Part of Anawan and Tremont Streets are even part of Massachusetts Route 118 today.
What Does the Tavern Look Like?
The Briggs Tavern is a wooden building with two and a half stories. It has a roof that slopes down on two sides, called a side gable roof. There are two chimneys inside the building. The outside is covered with horizontal wooden boards called clapboards.
The front of the building has five sections, or "bays," with windows. The main door is in the middle. It has decorative columns on each side. Above the door, there's a special window with a half-round design. A small, decorative ledge sits above that. On the left side of the building, there's a two-story addition. A smaller, one-story part with a sloped roof is in front of that.
Inside the Tavern
Even though it's now a private home, the Briggs Tavern still has many original features inside. These include old fireplace surrounds with wooden panels. There are also chair rails and wainscoting, which are types of wood paneling on the lower part of the walls. A very special feature is the "splayed window lintels." These are angled wooden pieces above the windows. They are quite rare in old Rehoboth buildings.
History of the Tavern
The Briggs Tavern was built around 1780. At that time, the area was known as Stevens Corner. It quickly became an important spot for the community and for travelers. The two-story addition on the left side of the building was added later, in the 1800s.
The building has stood for over 240 years. It has seen many changes in Rehoboth and in America. Being listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 helps protect this important piece of history. It reminds us of what life was like in the 18th century.
