Hill's Tavern facts for kids
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Hill's Tavern
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | U.S. 40, Scenery Hill, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1794 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Italianate, Georgian |
| Part of | Scenery Hill Historic District (ID96001198) |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001811 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 19, 1974 |
| Designated CP | October 24, 1996 |
Hill's Tavern is a very old building in Scenery Hill, Pennsylvania. It is also known as the Century Inn today. For a long time, it was thought to be the oldest tavern that was always open on the National Road. This changed when a big fire happened on August 17, 2015. The fire stopped its 221 years of continuous use. After the fire, the inn was carefully rebuilt and reopened.
Contents
A Look Back at History
Hill's Tavern is located in a small community called Scenery Hill. This area is part of North Bethlehem Township. The town was once known as Springtown. It was surveyed in 1785.
Early Days of the Tavern
A public house, or tavern, was open here as early as 1794. Stephen Hill, the son of George Hill, was the first owner. He was followed by several other owners over the years. In 1819, Stephen Hill and Thomas McGiffin announced they would sell lots for a new town. They called this new town Hillsborough. It was located right next to Hill's Stone Tavern on the National Road. The National Road was an important early highway in the United States.
Building Style and Importance
The tavern is a two-and-a-half-story building made of stone. It was built in a style called Post Colonial vernacular. It also has features from the Georgian style. Later, parts of the building were changed to include Greek Revival and Italianate styles.
Special Features
The tavern has a large covered porch with rounded columns. At the back, there is a long stone section. This part holds the original kitchen. It even has a big fireplace with a crane for cooking. Before the fire, the building was very well preserved. It had been used as a tavern without stopping since it was built.
Recognized as Historic
In 1952, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission placed a historical marker at the tavern. This marker shows how important the building is to history. The Washington County History and Landmarks Foundation also calls it a historic public landmark. In 1974, Hill's Tavern was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It is also part of the Scenery Hill Historic District.
The Fire and Rebuilding
On August 17, 2015, an accidental fire started in a wooden part of the Inn. The inside of the building was badly damaged. Many old items and artworks were destroyed. Luckily, a special flag linked to the Whiskey Rebellion was saved. Some people believe it is the only one of its kind.
- After the August 2015 fire
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Front
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Rear
A New Beginning
After 30 months of hard work, the Century Inn reopened on February 15, 2018. The front of the building, including its original stone walls, looks just like it did before the fire. The inside is new, but it was rebuilt to look like the old design. This includes the furniture, old items, and artwork. The special Whiskey Rebellion flag is back on the wall where it used to be.
Template:Washington County History and Landmarks Foundation
