Mixer Tavern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mixer Tavern
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 14 Westford Rd., Ashford, Connecticut |
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| Area | 13 acres (5.3 ha) |
| Built | c. 1710 |
| Architectural style | Colonial |
| NRHP reference No. | 94000253 |
| Added to NRHP | March 17, 1994 |
The Mixer Tavern is a historic building in Ashford, Connecticut. It used to be a busy place where travelers could stop and rest. Today, it is a private home.
This building is very old, with parts of it dating back to 1710. This makes it one of the oldest buildings in Ashford! It's special because it still has many features from its time as a tavern. It was a popular spot for travelers and local people for a very long time. In 1994, the Mixer Tavern was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site.
Contents
Discovering the Mixer Tavern
The Mixer Tavern is located near the center of Ashford. You can find it at the corner of Westford Road and Pompey Hollow Road. This road is also known as United States Route 44. The building faces south, hidden a bit behind some trees.
What Does It Look Like?
The Mixer Tavern is a two-and-a-half-story building. It's made of wood and has a roof that slopes down on two sides. A large chimney sits in the middle of the roof. The front of the building has five windows and doors, called "bays."
There are also parts added to the building. Some additions are on the west side, and others are at the back. These additions make the building larger.
Inside the Old Tavern
The inside of the Mixer Tavern follows a classic old house design. It has a central chimney, which was common in homes from the Georgian period. On the right side, there's a small room behind the front living area. A half-wall and a folding door separate these spaces.
The living area on the left side has beautiful wooden decorations around the fireplace. The kitchen is at the back of the house. From the kitchen, you can enter a special walk-in storage area. This area is built right into the chimney! This large storage space is a clear sign that the building was once a busy tavern. It was used to store supplies for guests.
A Long History of Hospitality
People believe the oldest parts of the Mixer Tavern were built around 1710. That's when a man named John Mixer bought the land. At that time, the property was much larger, about 100 acres. John Mixer asked for a special permit to open a tavern there.
A Community Hub
The Mixer Tavern is important for several reasons. It shows us what 18th-century buildings looked like. It also has rare features that were common in old taverns. For many years, it was the only known tavern operating in Ashford. It continued to welcome travelers and locals well into the early 1900s.
In the 1920s, the building was carefully repaired and restored. This work helped to preserve its historical look and feel. The Mixer Tavern stands as a reminder of early American travel and community life.
