Tavern Farm, Old
Why it's listed
Old Tavern Farm is a connected farmstead at the fork of Colrain and Green River roads in Greenfield, Massachusetts. Its main block, probably built in 1827, joins an older wing from the late 1700s, a row of carriage bays, and a large red barn. The Hinsdale family kept a tavern here, and the nomination notes a ca. 1740 dwelling whose foundations survive beneath the house. The Thayers later ran the tavern. Inside, a second-floor ballroom was added around 1836-40 by raising the older roof. Other features include a kitchen set kettle, a cellar cistern, a smoke room, and doors painted to imitate walnut and maple. The tavern served travelers on the post road to Bennington, Vermont, and the Hinsdales also operated a cider mill and distillery nearby. The property is described as typical of rural New England farmsteads, with its many alterations still readable in the building fabric.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents the property as a surviving example of a connected New England farmstead that long served as a tavern and inn. It was run by the Hinsdale family and later the Thayers, within a network of local tavern-keeping families along the post road to Bennington, Vermont. Its tavern rooms, ballroom, set kettle, cistern, and grain-painted woodwork record changes in use over time.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 05000120, listed March 10, 2005. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 817 Colrain Rd., Greenfield |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | March 10, 2005 |
| Reference number | 05000120 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History, Commerce |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a single dwelling and inn, per the listed current functions. |
| Acreage | 1.6 |
| Coordinates | 42.62231, -72.63544 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 05000120.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7085195
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.