Humphrey Pratt Tavern facts for kids
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Humphrey Pratt Tavern
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 287 Main St., Old Saybrook, Connecticut |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1785 |
| Part of | Old Saybrook South Green (ID76001984) |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001320 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 7, 1972 |
| Designated CP | September 3, 1976 |
The Humphrey Pratt Tavern is a really old and important house in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. It was built way back in 1785. For many years, it belonged to the famous Pratt family. This building was once a busy tavern and a stop for stagecoaches in the 1700s and 1800s. It's so special that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
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A Look at the Humphrey Pratt Tavern
The Humphrey Pratt Tavern is found in the middle of Old Saybrook's South Green area. It sits on the west side of Main Street. The house has a main part that is two-and-a-half stories tall. It has five windows across the front and chimneys on each end.
There's also a two-and-a-half-story addition at the back. This part has a special roof called a gambrel roof. The whole house is covered in wooden boards called clapboards.
What Does the Tavern Look Like?
The front of the house looks balanced, with everything matching on both sides. The second floor sticks out a little bit over the first floor. The main door is in the very center.
A small porch with a hip roof covers the main entrance. This porch is held up by square columns. Inside, the house has a "central hall plan." This means there's a hallway in the middle with rooms on either side.
Special Features of the Building
The house has a two-story addition at the back. There's also a one-story addition on the side. These additions helped the tavern serve its many visitors.
The History of Humphrey Pratt Tavern
Humphrey Pratt built this house in 1785. His family owned it for a very long time, until 1943. Humphrey Pratt was a very important person in Old Saybrook. He was the town's first postmaster!
A Busy Stop for Travelers
Pratt ran the town's post office right from this building. Because of its great location, the tavern became a popular meeting spot. It was on the main road for stagecoaches traveling between Boston and New York City. Imagine how many people passed through here!
Famous Visitors and Fun Times
The back addition of the tavern has a special room on the second floor. This room was a ballroom with a unique "sprung wooden floor." This type of floor was designed to be bouncy, making it perfect for dancing! It is said that the famous French general, Marquis de Lafayette, even danced here.
