Old Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Old Covered Bridge
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Old Covered Bridge, rebuilt in 1998
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Sheffield, Massachusetts |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1837; replicated 1996 |
| Architect | Ithiel Town |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000445 |
| Added to NRHP | November 24, 1978 |
The Old Covered Bridge, also known as the Upper Sheffield Covered Bridge, is a special covered bridge located on Covered Bridge Lane in Sheffield, Massachusetts. It is a copy of an original bridge built in 1837. That first bridge was sadly destroyed by fire in 1994.
Before it was lost, the 1837 bridge was the oldest covered bridge in Massachusetts. The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. This means it is recognized as an important historical site. Today, the bridge is open for people to walk across.
What Does the Bridge Look Like?
The Old Covered Bridge is just east of Sheffield Plain. It crosses the Housatonic River where Covered Bridge Lane ends. To reach the bridge, you walk along a raised path called a causeway. One causeway comes from the west, near United States Route 7. Another causeway, about 0.5 kilometers (0.3 miles) long, comes from the east. Both cross the flat land near the river.
The bridge is about 28 meters (93 feet) long. It sits on strong granite supports called abutments. One of these supports is from the 1800s. The other was added when the 1837 bridge was repaired.
The bridge has two special parts called lattice trusses. These were designed by Ithiel Town. His design used many crisscrossing wooden pieces, like a lattice, to make the bridge very strong. The outside of the bridge is covered with vertical wooden boards. It also has a pointed roof, like a house, which helps protect the wooden structure from weather.
History of the Old Covered Bridge
The first bridge, built in 1837, was a very old example of Ithiel Town's special lattice truss design. It was built using an updated version of his plans from 1835. Over the years, the bridge was regularly repaired to keep it in good shape.
In 1970, the original bridge was closed to cars and trucks. It was then restored in 1974 and again in 1981. Because of its historical importance, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
Sadly, the original bridge was destroyed by fire in 1994. However, people wanted to bring this important landmark back. So, a new bridge was built in 1996. The new bridge was made using the exact same plans that were used during the earlier restorations. This means the bridge you see today looks just like the historic one that stood there before.
