Cooper-Davenport Tavern Wing facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Cooper–Davenport Tavern Wing
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 81 Eustis Street, Somerville, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1808 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| MPS | Somerville MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 89001257 |
| Added to NRHP | September 18, 1989 |
The Cooper–Davenport Tavern Wing is a really old and important building in Somerville, Massachusetts. It was built around 1806 by John Davenport. This building was originally an addition, or 'wing,' to an even older tavern from 1757! It's special because it's one of the few buildings from the early 1800s still standing in Somerville. The building was moved to where it is now in the 1880s. Today, people live there. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989, which means it's recognized as a significant historical place.
Contents
Discovering the Cooper–Davenport Tavern Wing
The Cooper–Davenport Tavern Wing is found at the corner of Harris and Eustis Streets. This area is a busy neighborhood with many homes. It sits right on the border between Somerville and Cambridge. You can find it southeast of Porter Square.
What the Building Looks Like
This historic building is made of wood and has two stories. It has a special kind of roof called a hip roof. The outside walls are covered with clapboard siding. The front of the building faces northeast. It has four sections, or "bays," across the front. The main door is in the second section from the right. Above the door, there's a small, curved window called an eyebrow transom. A pointed, gabled shape sits above that. You can also see two brick chimneys on the left side of the roof.
A Glimpse into its History
The story of this building begins with Jonathan Cooper. In 1757, he built a large house. It was located at the corner of what are now Beech Street and Massachusetts Avenue. This spot was just north of Porter Square. Soon, Cooper started running a tavern from his house. This area was just starting to become a busy place for businesses.
The Tavern's Growth and New Wing
In 1806, the Middlesex Turnpike opened. This new road followed the path of Massachusetts Avenue. It brought even more visitors and business to the tavern. At that time, John Davenport owned the tavern. He decided to build the structure we see today as a new wing for the original building.
Moving to a New Home
By the 1880s, the old tavern property was changing. It was bought to build a new church, St. James Episcopal Church. The original 1757 building was taken down. But the wing, built by John Davenport, was saved! Around 1888, it was carefully moved to its current spot. Today, this historic wing is no longer a tavern. Instead, it has been divided into several homes where people live.
