Union Tavern facts for kids
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Union Tavern
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Union Tavern
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 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | Broad St., Milton, North Carolina |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | early 19th century |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Part of | Milton Historic District (ID73001306) |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001245 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 15, 1975 |
| Designated NHL | May 15, 1975 |
| Designated CP | October 25, 1973 |
Union Tavern is a very old building in Milton, North Carolina. It was once a busy place where people could stay and eat. It's also famous for being the workshop of Thomas Day. He was a very talented furniture maker in the 1800s.
The building is a great example of an early 19th-century "Federal period" tavern. This means it was built in a popular style from that time. In 1975, Union Tavern was named a National Historic Landmark. This shows how important it is to American history. It is part of the Milton Historic District.
About Union Tavern
Union Tavern is in the middle of Milton, a small town. It sits on the south side of Broad Street. The building is made of brick and has two and a half stories. It has a pointed roof.
The front of the building has six sections with windows and doors. There are three main entrances. Each door has a round arch above it with a special fan-shaped window. The other windows are rectangular. They have stone sills and brick tops.
There's a covered porch on the left side of the building. A single-story section extends from the back. Inside, some of the original parts of the building are still there. This is true even though the rooms have been changed over time.
Thomas Day's Workshop
Thomas Day was born in Virginia around 1801. He was a free person of color. This meant he was not enslaved. By 1818, he started working as a cabinetmaker. He moved to Milton in 1823.
Thomas Day bought the Union Tavern building. He changed it to be his studio and workshop. He became known for his amazing skill. He made furniture for the richest people in North Carolina. By the mid-1800s, his workshop was the biggest in the state.
Day was also special because he trained many people. He taught white apprentices and other free Black people. He also trained enslaved people from nearby farms. When he married a free woman from Virginia, there was a rule that made it hard for her to move to North Carolina. Thomas Day was so important that the state government made an exception for his wife.
It is also said that Thomas Day did the woodwork in the local church. He agreed to do it only if he could sit in the area usually for white people. This shows how respected he was in the community.
