Black Tavern (Boundary Increase)
Why it's listed
Two outbuildings beside the Black Tavern in Dudley Center, Massachusetts, a barn and an annex, were added to the tavern's listing in 2010. The tavern itself was built in 1804 by cabinetmaker Hezekiah Healy on the Boston to Hartford stagecoach route. The side-gabled barn dates to about 1825 and has a hand-hewn braced timber frame. It is the only English Barn among the four or five 19th-century barns left in Dudley. The annex was moved to the site around 1830 and later served as Warren Goodell's shoe shop. Nichols College altered both buildings into dormitories in the 1950s. The Black Tavern Historical Society bought them in 2002 and has been restoring their historic appearance with volunteer and community support. They now host events and local history exhibits. Together with the tavern, they help keep the streetscape near the Town Common intact. The site may also hold archaeological remains from Native American and colonial occupation.
Significance in brief: The barn is one of only four or five 19th-century barns remaining in Dudley and its only English Barn. The barn and annex contribute to the character of Dudley Center and the Center and Tanyard roads intersection. They are tied to the Black Tavern from the second quarter of the 19th century, and the site has archaeological potential.
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 10000928, listed November 17, 2010. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 140, 142 Center Road, Dudley |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | November 17, 2010 |
| Reference number | 10000928 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1804-1960 |
| Architectural style | English Barn |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Education, Commerce, Industry |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Both buildings are owned by the Black Tavern Historical Society and are being restored. They are used for events, local history exhibits and interpretation of Dudley's agricultural and industrial history. The rear elevations still await restoration funding. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Dudley Hill Historic District |
| Coordinates | 42.04589, -71.92886 (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 10000928.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4921995
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.