Golden Ball Tavern facts for kids
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Golden Ball Tavern
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Golden Ball Tavern Museum
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 662 Boston Post Road, Weston, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 6.3 acres (2.5 ha) |
| Built | 1768 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Part of | Boston Post Road Historic District (ID83009783) |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000141 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 28, 1972 |
| Designated CP | February 11, 1983 |
The Golden Ball Tavern is a really old building in Weston, Massachusetts. It was built way back in 1768! This place is special because it's a great example of old-style Georgian architecture. It also played an important part in the American Revolution because its owner, Captain Isaac Jones, was a Loyalist (meaning he supported the British King). Today, the Golden Ball Tavern is a museum where you can learn about its history. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
What Does It Look Like?
The Golden Ball Tavern stands on the south side of Boston Post Road. It is close to the center of Weston. The building is a two-story structure made of wood. Its main part has a hip roof. The outside is covered with wooden clapboards.
There are also two extensions, called ells. One two-story ell might be an even older house. A single-story ell extends to the other side. The main door is in the middle of the front. It has simple columns on each side. A decorative molding is above the door. The property also has a barn. People think the barn was built at the same time as the main house.
The Tavern's Story
Captain Isaac Jones, a local shopkeeper, built the tavern in 1768. He was a Loyalist. This means he was loyal to the British King. In 1774, he gave shelter to British soldiers. These soldiers were checking on rebellious activities.
After the Boston Tea Party in December 1773, local Patriots raided the tavern. Patriots were people who wanted independence from Britain. They thought Jones was selling tea with unfair taxes. This event was known as the Weston Tea Party. It was mostly just a search of the place. There was no taxed tea found there.
Later in the Revolution, Jones seemed to join the cause of independence. He became an important person in the community again. His tavern did very well until the early 1800s. A new road, the Worcester Turnpike, opened. This new road took traffic away from the Post Road.
The tavern closed around 1805. After that, six generations of the Jones family lived there as a home. Later, the building was fixed up. Now, it is open as a museum for everyone to visit.
See also
