Landlord Fowler Tavern

Landlord Fowler Tavern is a historic former tavern in Westfield, Massachusetts. The building is generally believed to have been constructed during the 1750s, and it had certainly become associated with tavern operations by 1761, when Daniel Fowler received a license to operate a tavern in Westfield center. Its location on the east side of the developing town placed it along the principal east-west post road, making it an important stopping point for stagecoach travelers and a local venue for commerce, civic activity, and social gatherings. The structure is a substantial three-story wood-frame building with two full stories beneath a broad gambrel roof. Its principal facade is five bays wide and retains the overall character of Georgian architecture, although later alterations have reduced its historic integrity. Three gabled dormers interrupt the steep roof slope, and a large central brick chimney is a prominent feature. The original entrance surround, an elaborate Connecticut River Valley Georgian design with pilasters and a scrolled pediment, was removed in the early twentieth century; that doorway is now held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Other changes included replacement of historic twelve-over-twelve window sash with six-over-six windows and removal of likely original window hoods. For approximately a century, the tavern functioned as more than a place for food, drink, and lodging. It served as a meeting point for local business and civic affairs and as a rest stop for travelers using the post road through western Massachusetts. During the American Revolutionary War, the property was used as a muster location for Westfield's militia and hosted meetings of the local committee of safety. After the British army under General John Burgoyne was defeated in the Saratoga campaign, Baron Friedrich Adolf Riedesel, a Hessian commander, was quartered at the tavern along with other prisoners or officers associated with the captured army. Transportation and commercial changes eventually weakened the tavern's role. The opening of the Hampshire and Hampden Canal in 1830 reduced traffic on the post road, while Westfield's commercial center later shifted farther west. By the 1860s, the former tavern was being used as a residence rather than an active public house. It briefly housed a cigar factory between 1885 and 1916, illustrating the building's adaptation to changing local economic conditions. The property is no longer operated as a tavern and has been divided into multiple dwelling units. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 because of its architectural character and local historical significance.

Landlord Fowler Tavern was probably built in the 1750s in what is now Westfield, Massachusetts, although the precise construction date is not documented. The earliest firm chronological indication is 1761, when Daniel Fowler received a license to operate a tavern in Westfield center. The building occupied a strategically useful position on the east side of the settlement, near the confluence of the Little River and the Westfield River and along the east-west post road leading toward the Berkshires. That road connected communities and supported stagecoach travel, so the tavern could serve travelers while also providing a gathering place for residents. Architecturally, the building is a large wood-frame Georgian structure. It rises three stories, with two full stories capped by a broad gambrel roof. Three dormers project from the steep roof plane, while a large brick chimney occupies the center. The five-bay front elevation originally had a formal Georgian entrance surround characteristic of the Connecticut River Valley. That surround included pilasters and a scrolled pediment. Although the original doorway was removed from the building during the early twentieth century, it survives in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The current entrance is a simplified later replacement. The tavern became an important local institution during the late colonial and early national periods. It hosted travelers and functioned as a center for business and civic affairs. During the American Revolutionary War, Westfield militia members assembled there, and the local committee of safety held meetings on the premises. The building also gained a connection to the Saratoga campaign of 1777. After Burgoyne's army was captured, Baron Friedrich Adolf Riedesel, a Hessian commander serving with that army, was quartered at the tavern. Its commercial importance depended heavily on the post road. The construction of the Hampshire and Hampden Canal in 1830 altered regional transportation patterns and contributed to a decline in traffic along the old route. Westfield's commercial district also developed farther west over time. These changes reduced the tavern's role, and by the 1860s the building had been converted to residential use. The property continued to be adapted for other purposes. Between 1885 and 1916, it was used briefly as a cigar factory. During the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, additional alterations changed its appearance, including the replacement of historic Georgian twelve-over-twelve window sash with non-historic six-over-six windows and the removal of window hoods believed to have been original. Despite these modifications, the building remained an important surviving example of Westfield's colonial-era architecture. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Today, it is divided into multiple apartments and no longer operates as a tavern.

• 1982

  National Register listing

  [1]Landlord Fowler Tavernen.wikipedia.org

  Landlord Fowler Tavern was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

• 1885

  Short-lived cigar factory use

  [1]Landlord Fowler Tavernen.wikipedia.org

  The former tavern was used as a cigar factory for a period extending from 1885 to 1916.

• 1860

  Conversion to residential use

  [1]Landlord Fowler Tavernen.wikipedia.org

  By the 1860s, the building was being used as a residence rather than as an operating tavern.

• 1830

  Opening of the Hampshire and Hampden Canal

  [1]Landlord Fowler Tavernen.wikipedia.org

  The canal changed regional transportation patterns and contributed to declining business on the post road served by the tavern.

• 1777

  Use during the Revolutionary War and Saratoga campaign

  [1]Landlord Fowler Tavernen.wikipedia.org

  The tavern served as a militia muster site and meeting place for Westfield's committee of safety. Baron Friedrich Adolf Riedesel was later quartered there after the British army's defeat at Saratoga.

• 1761

  Daniel Fowler receives a tavern license

  [1]Landlord Fowler Tavernen.wikipedia.org

  Daniel Fowler was granted a license to operate a tavern in Westfield center, providing a documented connection between the building and its tavern use.

• 1750

  Probable construction of the tavern building

  [1]Landlord Fowler Tavernen.wikipedia.org

  The building is generally estimated to have been constructed during the 1750s, though the exact year is unknown.

A colonial-era roadside tavern that served as a Westfield social, civic, and transportation landmark; it is now a residential historic property rather than an operating hospitality business.

• Hospitality

  Tavern hospitality

  During its active period, the property provided the customary services of an eighteenth- and nineteenth-century roadside tavern, including food, drink, accommodation, and a stopping place for stagecoach travelers. It also functioned as a social and civic venue for local residents. No detailed surviving menu or service catalog is identified in the reference material.

• Transportation hospitality

  Stagecoach stop

  The tavern's position on the east-west post road made it a significant stop for travelers moving through Westfield toward the Berkshires. Its importance derived from the road network and the need for rest, refreshment, and lodging before later transportation changes reduced traffic.

• 1830

  Adaptation after transportation patterns changedStrategy

  Background

  The Hampshire and Hampden Canal reduced the commercial importance of the post road, while Westfield's business district shifted westward.

  Action taken

  The property ultimately ceased functioning as a tavern and was converted to residential use; it was also used briefly as a cigar factory between 1885 and 1916.

  Aftermath

  The building survived as a historic structure but no longer operated as a hospitality business and is now divided into apartments.

  Source

• 1982

  Landlord Fowler Tavern added to the National Register of Historic Places[1]Landlord Fowler Tavernen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The former tavern was recognized for its local historical importance and as a representative example of Georgian architecture in Westfield.

1. 1Landlord Fowler Tavernen.wikipedia.org