Bullard House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bullard House
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Berlin, Massachusetts, United States |
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| Built | 1780 |
| NRHP reference No. | 11000664 |
| Added to NRHP | September 15, 2011 |
The Bullard House is a very old and important house located in Berlin, Massachusetts, in the United States. It has a long history, changing its shape and purpose many times over the centuries. Today, it serves as a local history museum, helping people learn about the past of Berlin.
Contents
The Bullard House Story
The Bullard House has a fascinating past. It was first built around 1780. Over the years, it grew and changed a lot.
How the House Grew
The oldest part of the house was likely a two-and-a-half-story wooden building. It probably had three sections on the front. The main door was near the eastern side.
In the early 1790s, the house became much bigger. New parts were added to the west and back. This made it look like a "saltbox" house, which has a long, sloping roof on one side.
Later, in the 1850s, the back part was extended again. This added a new kitchen area. A small shed was built next to the kitchen in the 1920s. This shed was made even larger in 1956. Also, a new window section, called a shed dormer, was added to the back of the house on the east side.
What the House Was Used For
The Bullard House has had many different jobs. When it was first built, it was a shop. John Pollard, Jr. used it for his business.
Around the 1790s, a tavern was added to the building. A tavern is like an inn or a pub. It was a place where people could eat, drink, and stay. The house was a tavern until 1813. Then, Solomon Howe moved the tavern business to a new building across the street.
After that, the Bullard House was split into two separate homes. These two parts were sold to different people. For about 150 years, the eastern side was mostly rented out. The western side was mainly lived in by members of the Bullard family. The Bullard family ran a smithy, a place where metal is worked, on the property for about 120 years.
In 1941, one person bought both sides of the house. But the two parts still stayed as separate homes. In 1996, the town bought the property. Now, the Bullard House is a museum. It helps people learn about the history of Berlin.
Becoming a Historic Landmark
The Bullard House is very important because of its long history. Because of this, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. This list includes buildings, sites, and objects that are important to American history.
See also
