Wayside Inn Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Wayside Inn Historic District
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The Wayside Inn in 2007
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Sudbury, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1686 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Colonial |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000307 |
| Added to NRHP | April 23, 1973 |
The Wayside Inn Historic District is a special area in Sudbury, Massachusetts. It is located on Old Boston Post Road. This district is famous for the Wayside Inn, which is one of the oldest inns in the entire country! It first opened its doors as Howe's Tavern way back in 1716.
The buildings in this area show off different styles. You can see Greek Revival and American colonial architecture. Because of its history, the district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. This means it's recognized as an important historical place.
Contents
The Wayside Inn's History
The Wayside Inn is a very old building. It started as a tavern in 1716. A tavern was a place where travelers could stop to eat, drink, and sleep. Over many years, it became a famous inn. It has welcomed many people through its doors.
The inn is known for its long history. It has seen many changes in America. It is a great example of how buildings looked and were used a long time ago.
Henry Ford's Contributions
The famous car maker Henry Ford loved the Wayside Inn. He bought it in 1923 and added several interesting buildings to the property. He wanted to preserve American history.
The Grist Mill and Chapel
Henry Ford built a working grist mill near the inn. A grist mill is a place where grain is ground into flour. He also built a white chapel. This chapel was named Mary and Martha, after his mother and mother-in-law.
The Redstone Schoolhouse
Ford also moved a one-room schoolhouse to the inn's grounds. This schoolhouse is called the Redstone School. It came from Sterling, Massachusetts. Ford believed this was the actual school mentioned in the famous poem "Mary Had a Little Lamb" by Sarah Josepha Hale.
Images for kids
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The main entrance of the inn
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A marker announcing George Washington's passing through in 1775
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The Wayside Inn, around 1935
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The inn's grist mill
