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National Register of Historic Places listings in Uxbridge, Massachusetts facts for kids

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Uxbridge, Massachusetts, is a town with a rich history! It has 53 special places listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These places are important because they tell us about the past. They could be old houses, mills, or even whole neighborhoods.

You can see where many of these historic spots are on an online map. Just click on "Map of all coordinates" to explore them.

What is the National Register of Historic Places?

The National Register of Historic Places is like a special list of important buildings, places, and areas in the United States. When a place is on this list, it means it has a lot of history. It might be important for its architecture, its connection to famous people, or its role in big events.

Being on this list helps protect these places. It also helps people learn about the past. Uxbridge has so many places on this list because it played a big part in early American history, especially with its mills and factories.

Historic Homes in Uxbridge

Many of the historic places in Uxbridge are old homes. These houses show us how people lived long ago. They often have unique designs and stories.

For example, the Benjamin Adams House at 85 North Main Street was listed in 1983. It's a great example of an old home. The Moses Farnum House on Quaker Highway is another interesting old house. It was built a long time ago.

Some houses are named after families who were important in the town's history. The Aaron Taft House and the Bazaleel Taft Jr. House are examples. The Taft family was very important in Uxbridge.

Special Houses and Cottages

  • The Daniel Aldrich Cottage and Sawmill shows how people lived and worked. It reminds us of a time when sawmills were very important.
  • The Friends Meetinghouse is a special place of worship. It was built in 1770 and is still standing today. It shows the history of the Quaker community in Uxbridge.
  • The Sylvanus Holbrook House and the William Hayward House are also old homes. They help us imagine life in the past.

Sadly, some historic homes have been lost. The William and Mary Farnum House was destroyed by fire in 2013. Even when a building is gone, its history is still remembered.

Mills and Factories: Uxbridge's Industrial Past

Uxbridge was once a busy center for mills and factories. These places were very important for making things like textiles (cloth). Many of these old mill buildings are now historic sites.

The Rivulet Mill Complex is a great example. It's a group of buildings that were part of a mill. The Central Woolen Mills District and the Waucantuck Mill Complex also show Uxbridge's history as a mill town. These places remind us how important manufacturing was to the town.

Historic Districts: Whole Neighborhoods with History

Sometimes, a whole area or neighborhood is considered historic. These are called "historic districts." They include many buildings that together tell a story.

  • The Blackstone Canal Historic District is a very important one. The Blackstone Canal was like an old highway for boats. It helped transport goods between Providence, Rhode Island and Worcester, Massachusetts. A part of this canal runs through Uxbridge.
  • The Rogerson's Village Historic District and the Wheelockville District are also historic neighborhoods. They were often built around the mills. They show how mill workers and their families lived.
  • The Uxbridge Common District includes important public buildings and spaces around the town common. This area has been the heart of Uxbridge for a long time.

Important Public Buildings

Uxbridge also has historic public buildings. These are places where people gathered or where the town's business was done.

  • The Uxbridge Town Hall is where the town government works. It's an important building for the community.
  • The Uxbridge Passenger Depot was once a train station. It reminds us of a time when trains were a main way to travel.

Former Listing

Sometimes, a historic place might be removed from the National Register. This can happen if it is severely damaged or destroyed.

The Crown and Eagle Mills was once on the list. It was a very old mill building. But it was badly damaged by a fire in 1975. Because of the fire, it was removed from the list. Even though it was rebuilt, it lost its original historic condition.

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