Brown Tavern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Brown Tavern
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | George Washington Tpke., Burlington, Connecticut |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Architect | Hoadley, David |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001339 |
| Added to NRHP | May 5, 1972 |
The Brown Tavern is a very old and special building in Burlington, Connecticut. It is located where George Washington Turnpike meets Connecticut Route 4. This building was likely built in the early 1800s.
It is a great example of a building style called Federal architecture. Many people believe that David Hoadley, an architect from New Haven, might have designed it. Today, the local historical society takes care of the Brown Tavern. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. This list includes important historical places across the United States.
What is the Brown Tavern?
The Brown Tavern is a historic house that also served as a public place. In the past, it was a tavern, which means it was a place where travelers could stop. They could get food, drinks, and a place to sleep. It was an important stop for people traveling through Burlington.
Its Unique Look
The Brown Tavern faces the town green in Burlington. It is a two-and-a-half-story building made of wood. The outside is covered with clapboard siding. The roof has a front-facing gable, which means the triangular part of the roof faces forward.
The front of the building is very fancy. It has five sections, with a special entrance in the middle. The front door has windows on the sides and tall, flat columns called pilasters. Above the door, there is a half-round window and a small roof.
Above the main entrance, you can see a special window called a Palladian window. It has a rounded center that goes up into the roofline. The front of the roof is shaped like a triangle, with decorative teeth-like carvings called dentil molding. In the center of this triangle, there is a semi-oval fan design, typical of the Federal style.
A Look Back in Time
Experts believe the Brown Tavern was built around 1809 or 1810. It was built for Giles Griswold, who was a merchant. A merchant is someone who buys and sells goods. As mentioned, many think David Hoadley designed this building.
Over the years, the building had many different owners. Some of these owners ran a tavern there during the 1800s. This is how the building got its name, the Brown Tavern. The town of Burlington bought the building in 1974. Today, it helps us remember the history of the area.
