Tales of a Wayside Inn facts for kids
Tales of a Wayside Inn is a famous book of poems written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It was first published in 1863. The book takes place in a real tavern located in Sudbury, Massachusetts. This inn was a popular spot for people from nearby Cambridge, Massachusetts, where Longfellow lived.
The characters in the book are based on Longfellow's real-life friends. In the stories, these friends gather at the Wayside Inn and share different tales. The most famous poem from the collection is "Paul Revere's Ride". It starts with the well-known lines: "Listen my children and you shall hear / Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere."
Why Longfellow Wrote the Book
Longfellow wrote Tales of a Wayside Inn during a very sad time in his life. He was dealing with the loss of his wife, who had passed away at home in an accident. Writing these poems helped him to cope with his grief.
The Real Wayside Inn
In 1862, Longfellow visited the actual tavern that inspired his book. At that time, it was known as the Red Horse Tavern. It was closed because its owner had died the year before. Longfellow described the building as "a rambling, tumble-down building," meaning it was old and a bit worn out.
After the first book, two more collections of poems set at the Wayside Inn were published. These came out in 1870 and 1872, continuing the tradition of storytelling at the historic inn.
Images for kids
-
Sign for Longfellow's Wayside Inn, where the collection takes place
-
Longfellow's Wayside Inn, Sudbury, Massachusetts
