Union Tavern
.jpg){kind=link}
Why it's listed
Union Tavern, locally called the Yellow Tavern, is a two-story brick building on Main Street in Milton, North Carolina. Federal in design, it is six bays wide with a facade laid in Flemish bond and three round-arched entrances with fanlights, two still holding delicate metal sunbursts. Later additions include an east side porch and a rear wing, and pressed tin covers most interior ceilings. The interior follows a center-hall plan. The building is described as one of the finest of the few known surviving taverns in the state. It is best known for its link to Thomas Day, a free Black cabinetmaker born in Virginia in 1801, who moved to Milton in 1823 and later turned the old tavern into his studio. By the mid-nineteenth century his workshop had the state's largest production and most apprentices. The building was nominated to commemorate Day and his work.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it architecturally one of the finest of the few known surviving taverns in North Carolina. It is best known for its association with Thomas Day, the free Black cabinetmaker, who converted the old tavern into his workshop studio while living in Milton.
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 75001245, listed May 15, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Main St., Milton |
|---|---|
| County | Caswell County |
| Listed | May 15, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001245 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1848-1858 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Commerce, Black, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated May 15, 1975 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in fair condition and altered, on its original site; the form marks it as occupied and privately owned. |
| Within district | Milton Historic District |
| Coordinates | 36.53868, -79.20625 (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 75001245.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q2784444
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.