Ware Center Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Ware Center Historic District
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Congregational Meeting House
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | MA 9 at Greenwich Plains Rd., Ware, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 80 acres (32 ha) |
| Architect | Baxter, Ezekiel; et al. |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Georgian, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 86001013 |
| Added to NRHP | May 8, 1986 |
The Ware Center Historic District is a special area in Ware, Massachusetts. It's like a trip back in time! This historic district is found around where Massachusetts Route 9 meets Greenwich Plains Road. It stretches for about half a mile along Route 9.
Most of the buildings you see here were built a long time ago, between 1760 and 1860. This area used to be the main hub for town activities and businesses. That was until the 1820s, when new villages with factories became more important. The Ware Center Historic District was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
Discovering Ware's Early Days
Ware was first settled in 1717. It officially became a town in 1775. The town center, which is this historic district, was planned out in 1760. This was on land owned by one of the town's first big landowners.
The very first meeting house was built here in 1760. It was placed near the middle of the town. Roads were then built to connect different parts of Ware to this central spot. This area had important services for the town. These included a tavern and a blacksmith shop.
Why Ware Center Stayed Old-Fashioned
Other factory businesses in Ware grew bigger in the 1800s. The main focus of the town moved to "Factory Village." This is where the modern town center is today. Because of this shift, Ware Center kept its old-fashioned look. Many buildings still show the styles from the Georgian and Federal periods.
Important Buildings in the District
The Ware Center Historic District is mostly a long line of buildings. The First Congregational Church is near its center. This church was built in 1799. It stands close to where the original 1760 meeting house once was.
- Old Schoolhouse: The only other non-home building here is a former school. It was built in 1872.
- Oldest Farmhouse: The oldest building in the district is a farmhouse. It's located at 42 Doane Road, at the corner of Walker and Doane Road. This large family home was built way back in 1732!
- Ezra Thayer House: Another very old house was built in 1759. It's called the Ezra Thayer House. This well-preserved Georgian-style house was built for the town's first minister. It's one of four houses in the village built for ministers.
- The Old Tavern: There's also a house built around 1780. It was made bigger later on. This building served as a tavern for many years. A tavern was like a restaurant and inn where people could eat, drink, and stay overnight.
