Granville Center Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Granville Center Historic District
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Old Meeting House
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Main Rd., Granville, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 30 acres (12 ha) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Queen Anne, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 91001587 |
| Added to NRHP | November 5, 1991 |
Imagine stepping back in time! The Granville Center Historic District is a special area in Granville, Massachusetts. It's like an outdoor museum, showing how a village looked long ago. This district protects many old buildings, including a church built in 1802. There are also homes designed in the Federal and Greek Revival styles. This important area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
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Discovering Granville's Past
The town of Granville began in 1738. It officially became a town in 1775. Granville Center was one of the very first places people settled here. The first meetinghouse, a building used for church and town meetings, was built around 1747. It was likely near the corner of Main Road and Blandford Road.
Early Buildings and Life
You can still find the old foundations of a sawmill and a gristmill. These were built around 1759. A sawmill cuts wood, and a gristmill grinds grain into flour. The oldest building still standing, the Hubbard House, might have belonged to the mill owner.
Granville Center was once the heart of the community. It was the main place for town business, religious life, and the local economy. People farmed the land around the center.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, Granville Center became less important. This happened for a few reasons. Different religious groups formed, and a new industrial area grew to the east. This new area was called Granville Village.
Because of these changes, most buildings in Granville Center are from the early 1800s. They show what life was like back then. The center stayed important for town government. A new town hall was built in 1927. It stands at the western end of the district.
Exploring the District's Architecture
The Granville Center Historic District stretches along Main Road. Trumble Lane also extends south from Main Road. The town hall is the only building from the 1900s. Most other buildings are older.
Homes from the Past
Most buildings in the district are wooden houses. Many were built during the Federal period. This style was popular in the late 1700s and early 1800s. There are also a few homes in the Greek Revival style. This style was popular a bit later. You can also see some Victorian-era houses. These different styles show how building trends changed over time.
