Elkins Tavern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Elkins Tavern
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | Bailey-Hazen Rd., Peacham, Vermont |
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| Area | 75 acres (30 ha) |
| Built | 1787 |
| Built by | Jonathan Elkins |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000228 |
| Added to NRHP | December 18, 1978 |
The Elkins Tavern is a very old house in Peacham, Vermont. It was built way back in 1787. One of Peacham's first settlers, Jonathan Elkins, built it. This house has one of the best-preserved interiors from the 1700s in all of Vermont. Because of its history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
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The Elkins Tavern: A Glimpse into History
The Elkins Tavern used to be a public inn, but now it's a private home. You can find it south of Peacham's main village. It sits on the east side of Bayley-Hazen Road. This road was once the main path through the area.
What Makes This House Special?
The house is a two-and-a-half-story building made of wood. It has a sloped roof on the sides and a chimney in the middle. The outside is covered with wooden boards, and it sits on a stone foundation. The front of the house faces the road. It has five sections with windows and a door in the middle. The main door has simple columns on each side. Above the door, there's a small window and a decorative top. Another similar doorway is on the north side.
Inside, the house still looks much like it did in the 1700s. It has a central chimney design. When you enter, there's a small hallway with a winding staircase. On each side of the hall are living rooms. These rooms, and the bedrooms upstairs, still have many original parts. This includes the old fireplaces and the wooden panels on the walls. Some parts of the back of the house have been updated. Across the street, there's a barn from the 1800s. People say it's where Jonathan Elkins' first log cabin stood.
The Story of Bayley-Hazen Road
The Bayley-Hazen Road was the very first road built through northern Vermont. It was part of a big plan during the American Revolutionary War. American soldiers wanted to take over the British Province of Quebec. These plans never fully happened, but the road was built. It went all the way to Hazen's Notch in Westfield. This road helped open up the area for people to settle there.
Who Was Jonathan Elkins?
Jonathan Elkins came from Haverhill, New Hampshire. He arrived in what is now Peacham in 1775. He built a log cabin first. The Bayley-Hazen Road was built a few years later, passing right by his cabin. In 1787, Jonathan Elkins built this larger house. It served as a tavern, offering a place for travelers to stop and rest. Over time, a newer road, South Main Street, became the main route. This meant the old Bayley-Hazen Road was used less often.
