Sawyer Tavern facts for kids
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Sawyer Tavern
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | 63 Arch St., Keene, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 1.1 acres (0.45 ha) |
| Built | 1803 |
| Architect | Wheeler, Abraham, Jr.; Hobart, Peter |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000280 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 15, 1980 |
The Sawyer Tavern is a very old and special building in Keene, New Hampshire. It was built around 1803 to 1806. For many years, it was a popular place where travelers could eat, drink, and sleep. It was first a "tavern," then an "inn," and later a "restaurant." Today, people live in the building.
This historic building is so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. It was also listed on the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places in 2007.
What Does Sawyer Tavern Look Like?
The Sawyer Tavern is in the western part of Keene. It stands on the north side of Arch Street, not far from Keene High School. It's a two-and-a-half-story building made of wood. It has a pointed roof and two chimneys inside. The outside is covered with wooden boards called clapboards.
The front of the building has five windows. They are placed evenly around the main door. Above the door, there is a small window with four glass panes. On the left side of the main building, there is a long, one-story part. This part used to be the summer kitchen for the tavern. It also had sheds for horses. A smaller part of the building, which might be even older, extends to the back.
Inside, the building still has many original features. Some windows have special shutters that are built into the walls. However, a large room on the second floor, which was once a ballroom, has been divided into bedrooms.
A Look Back at Sawyer Tavern's History
This important building was constructed between 1803 and 1806. It has a long history as a tavern and inn in West Keene. A tavern was a place where people could buy drinks and food. An inn also offered rooms for travelers to stay overnight.
The Sawyer Tavern was built by Abraham Wheeler, Jr. He was a soldier who fought in the American Revolutionary War. At first, the building was known as Wheeler's Tavern. Later, Abraham Wheeler's son-in-law, Josiah Sawyer, took over the business. This is how it got the name Sawyer Tavern.
After Josiah, his two daughters, who never married, continued to run the tavern. The building was used as a tavern until 1883. In 1922, the family sold the building. It then became a restaurant and a tea room until 1950. Today, the Sawyer Tavern is a private home.
