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 |
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| Built | 1780 |
| NRHP reference No. | 11000664 |
| Added to NRHP | September 15, 2011 |
The Bullard House is a very old and historic home located at 4 Woodward Avenue in Berlin, Massachusetts. This house has a long and interesting past. It has been changed and added to many times since it was first built around 1780.
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A House That Grew
The oldest part of the Bullard House was likely built around 1780. It was probably a two-story building with three sections, or "bays." The front door was near the east side.
Big Changes in the 1790s
In the early 1790s, the house became much bigger. New parts were added to the west side and the back. These additions made the house look like a "saltbox" style home. This style has a long, sloping roof at the back.
More Updates Over Time
Later, in the 1850s, the back of the house was extended again. This created a new kitchen area. In the 1920s, a small shed was added to this kitchen space. It was made even larger in 1956. Also, a special window structure called a "shed dormer" was added to the east side of the back roof.
Many Lives of the House
The Bullard House has been used for many different things over the years. It has a rich history of serving the community.
From Shop to Tavern
When the house was first built, it was a shop. John Pollard, Jr. used it for his business. Sometime in the 1790s, it became a tavern. A tavern was a place where people could eat, drink, and stay the night. It was like a hotel and restaurant combined. The house stayed a tavern until 1813. Then, the tavern business moved to a new building across the street.
Two Homes in One
After the tavern moved, the Bullard House was split into two separate homes. These two parts were sold to different people. The east side of the house was rented out to many different families for about 150 years.
The west side of the house was mainly lived in by members of the Bullard family. They were a very important family in the area. For about 120 years, the Bullard family ran a "smithy" on the property. A smithy is a workshop where a blacksmith works with metal.
Back to One House and a Museum
In 1941, one person bought both sides of the house. But the two parts still stayed as separate living units. In 1996, the town bought the property. Today, the Bullard House is a local history museum. It helps people learn about the past of Berlin, Massachusetts.
Historic Recognition
The Bullard House is very important because of its long history. In 2011, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list of buildings, sites, and objects that are important to American history.
See also
