Old Tavern Farm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Old Tavern Farm
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Greenfield, Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Area | 1.6 acres (0.65 ha) |
| Built | 1740 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 05000120 |
| Added to NRHP | March 10, 2005 |
The Old Tavern Farm is a historic farm located at 817 Colrain Road in Greenfield, Massachusetts. It's a special place because it shows how a farm grew and changed from the early days of America into the 1800s. The main part of the house was built around 1820. It has a classic look with a chimney in the middle.
A long section, about 42 feet (13 meters) long, was added to the side of the main house. This part of the building sits on a very old foundation from 1740! The section itself was built in 1794, replacing an even older building from 1740. This long section is connected to a barn that was built in the 1800s.
Contents
A Farm with a Story
The history of Old Tavern Farm began with a man named Samuel Hinsdale (1708–1786). His father, Mehuman, owned a tavern and was captured by Native Americans in the 1704 Raid on Deerfield. When Mehuman passed away in 1736, he left this land to his son Samuel.
The First Buildings
Samuel Hinsdale likely built the first structure here around 1740, just before his son was born. Not long after, Samuel started running a tavern. He officially received a license for it in 1747. It's not completely clear if this license was for the exact spot where the farm is now.
A Community Hub
Samuel Hinsdale was an important person in the community. When Greenfield became its own town, separate from Deerfield, in 1753, Samuel was chosen to be on the first board of selectmen. This group helped run the town.
By 1787, when Samuel's belongings were listed after his death, it was clear he was running a tavern and a cooper's shop here. A cooper makes wooden barrels and buckets. Samuel's sons continued to run the tavern after him.
The Tavern Closes
After 1836, other people took over running the tavern. It finally closed in 1860. This was likely because of the Temperance movement, a time when many people wanted to stop or reduce the use of alcohol.
From Farm to Inn
Later in the 1800s, the property was much larger, about 160 acres (65 hectares). It was mainly used for farming by the Smith family. Their family lived on the property until 1997.
Today, the farm is smaller, but it has gone back to its roots! It now operates as a bed and breakfast inn. This means it offers a place for travelers to stay and eat, just like a tavern did long ago.
National Recognition
Because of its rich history and importance, the Old Tavern Farm was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. This list includes buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history.
