Burnham Tavern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Burnham Tavern
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Postcard view of tavern, 1911
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 14 Colonial Way, Machias, Maine |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1770 |
| Architect | Burnham, Job |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000152 |
| Added to NRHP | April 11, 1973 |
The Burnham Tavern is a super old building in Machias, Maine. It was built way back in 1770! This tavern is famous because it played a big part in the American Revolutionary War. Today, you can visit it as the Burnham Tavern Museum. It's run by a group called the Daughters of the American Revolution. Inside, you'll see furniture from the 1700s. The museum also has items from the 1775 Battle of Machias, which was the first naval battle of the Revolution. This special building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
What is the Burnham Tavern Like?
The Burnham Tavern is a two-story building made of wood. It faces east and has a unique roof shape called a gambrel roof. On the second floor, there are special windows called a clerestory. The front of the building has five sections, and there's a big chimney in the middle.
When you walk inside, you'll find a cool staircase. It splits into two directions, leading to the bedrooms upstairs. On either side of the chimney, there are parlor rooms. These were like living rooms where people would relax. The kitchen takes up most of the back of the building and has a very large fireplace.
History of the Tavern and the American Revolution
English settlers first came to the Machias area in 1763. Job Burnham built this tavern in 1770. It's the only building in Machias that we know for sure was used during the American Revolutionary War.
Local groups, like the militia, met here often. They planned actions that led to the 1775 Battle of Machias. This battle was one of the very first sea fights of the war. The tavern was also used as a hospital. Wounded soldiers from both sides of the battle were cared for here. You can still see items related to the capture of the ship Margaretta from this battle. The Burnham Tavern stayed an important meeting spot for the community for many years.
