Harvard Center Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Harvard Center Historic District
|
|
Harvard Town Hall
|
|
 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Ayer, Still River, Old Littleton, Bolton and Oak Hill Rds, Elm and Fairbanks Sts, Lovers Ln., Mass. Ave., Harvard, Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Area | 125 acres (51 ha) |
| Architect | multiple |
| Architectural style | Colonial, Greek Revival, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 97001091 |
| Added to NRHP | September 22, 1997 |
The Harvard Center Historic District is a special area in Harvard, Massachusetts, USA. It is a historic district that protects many old buildings. These buildings show how the town center has changed over time. The district is built around the town common. This common is a triangular grassy space. It is bordered by Elm Street, Still River Road, and Ayer Road.
Many homes, town buildings, and churches surround the common. There is also a small shopping area. The common was first created when Harvard was founded in 1732. Most of the buildings you see today were built after 1831. This historic district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. This means it is officially recognized as important.
Contents
Exploring the Harvard Center Historic District
The historic district has a shape like a cross. It spreads out from the town common. It follows Still River Road to the west. It also goes along Massachusetts Avenue (which is Massachusetts Route 111) to the north and south. To the east, it follows Oak Hill Road and Old Littleton Road.
Size and Historic Homes
This district covers about 125 acres (51 ha). That's like 95 football fields! It includes 59 houses that are important to history. These homes show many different building styles. They were built from the 1700s to the 1900s.
Important Town Buildings
The main town buildings are at the northern end of the common. You can find a stone animal pound there. This was a place to hold stray animals. There is also a small powder house. This building was used to store gunpowder safely.
The town hall is also here. It was built in 1872 in the Gothic Revival style. Next to it is an older building from 1828. This building used to be the town hall too. Now, it is a private home.
Churches and Schools in the District
The district has two church buildings. The First Congregational Church was built in 1867. It is in the Colonial Revival style. It stands where the town's first colonial meeting house once was. The other church is the Methodist meeting house from 1840. It is now a private home at 13 Massachusetts Avenue.
Two of the most beautiful buildings are schools. The Bromfield School was built in 1878. It was designed by famous architects Peabody and Stearns. It is in the Romanesque Revival style. The public library was built in 1886. It was designed by William Channing Whitney. It is also in the Romanesque style.
