Brigham's Tavern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Brigham's Tavern
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Brigham's Tavern
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 12 Boston Tpke., Coventry, Connecticut |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | c. 1717; 1778 |
| Built by | Gershom Brigham |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 82004383 |
| Added to NRHP | March 25, 1982 |
Brigham's Tavern is a very old and historic house in Coventry, Connecticut. It was once a special place where travelers could stop for food and a place to stay. This building is famous because George Washington himself visited it in 1789! Today, it is a private home. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 because of its important history.
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What is Brigham's Tavern?
Brigham's Tavern is located in the northeastern part of Coventry. You can find it where Boston Turnpike (United States Route 44) meets Brigham Tavern Road. It's not far from the town of Mansfield.
The Building's Look
The house is made of wood and has two stories. It has a pointed roof and a chimney right in the middle. The outside is covered with wooden boards called clapboards. The front of the house has five window sections, with the main door in the middle. This door has simple wooden boards on the sides and a small window above it. Two larger parts of the house stick out from the back and left side. These parts, along with the main section, were all built in the 1700s. The back part is thought to be the oldest, built around 1717. There's also an old barn from the 1700s behind the house.
A Home with a Long History
Brigham's Tavern was a busy place for many years. It served people traveling on the main road between Hartford and Boston. Uriah Brigham was the first person known to live here. He likely lived in what is now the back part of the house. His son, Gershom Brigham, built the main part of the house in 1778. He also got permission from the town to run it as a tavern.
The building was clearly designed to be a tavern. It had a large room on the second floor for dancing and parties, called a ballroom. On the first floor, there was a "taproom" where drinks were served. Even though the original bar is gone, you can still imagine how busy it must have been!
George Washington's Visit
One of the most exciting parts of the tavern's history is when George Washington stopped by. In 1789, after staying the night in Mansfield, he came to Brigham's Tavern for breakfast. Imagine eating in the same place as a future president!
