Harnden Tavern

Harnden Tavern, also known as the Col. Joshua Harnden Tavern, is a historic eighteenth-century building at 430 Salem Street in Wilmington, Massachusetts. Constructed in 1770 during the final third of the eighteenth century, it stands on Lot No. One in the area historically known as the Land of Nod, part of the most northerly section of the Charlestown Grant. The building is recognized as an unusually well-preserved example of late-Georgian architecture. The property is closely associated with Joshua Harnden, a descendant of Richard Harnden, described as the first English settler in what is now North Wilmington. Joshua Harnden and his wife, Sarah Cornell Harnden, were the first family to live in the house, raising their six children there. During the American Revolutionary War, Joshua served in Captain Timothy Walker's militia company. He later reached the rank of colonel and served the town as one of Wilmington's three selectmen. Following the Revolutionary War, Harnden opened his residence to the public as an inn or tavern. The building therefore served both as a private family home and as a local public establishment during the early history of the United States. Colonel Harnden died in 1807, and Sarah Harnden died in 1816. The property was sold to Dr. Silas Brown in 1818 and subsequently remained within the Brown-Hathaway family for approximately 125 years. Local tradition holds that the tavern may have operated as a station on the Underground Railroad before the Civil War. This account is presented as a credible tradition rather than as a fully documented fact. The building later entered public ownership when the Town of Wilmington acquired it by eminent domain in 1973. It now houses the Wilmington Town Museum, preserving the structure as a civic and historical resource rather than operating as a commercial tavern. The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. In contemporary terms, Harnden Tavern is best understood as a heritage site and historic building whose significance derives from its architecture, connection with early Wilmington, association with Joshua Harnden, and continued use for local historical interpretation.

Harnden Tavern was built in 1770 in what is now Wilmington, Massachusetts, on Lot No. One in the area called the Land of Nod. The site formed part of the northern section of the Charlestown Grant. Its design is considered a strong surviving example of late-Georgian architecture from the eighteenth century. Joshua Harnden and his wife, Sarah Cornell Harnden, were the first occupants. They lived in the house with their six children. Harnden was a descendant of Richard Harnden, identified in local historical accounts as the first Englishman to settle in present-day North Wilmington. During the Revolutionary War, Joshua served in Captain Timothy Walker's militia company. He later attained the rank of colonel and became one of Wilmington's three selectmen. After the war, Harnden opened the home to the public as an inn or tavern. This change gave the building a public role in addition to its function as a family residence. Joshua Harnden died on September 9, 1807, followed by Sarah Harnden on August 9, 1816. In 1818, the property was sold to Dr. Silas Brown. It then remained in the Brown-Hathaway family for roughly 125 years. A longstanding local tradition maintains that the tavern was used as a station on the Underground Railroad before the Civil War. The tradition is regarded as credible in the available account, but the source does not provide enough documentation to establish the claim as definitive. The Town of Wilmington acquired the building through eminent domain in 1973. Rather than continuing as a tavern, the property became a municipal historical resource and now houses the Wilmington Town Museum. Its preservation was formally recognized when it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. The building's current identity is therefore centered on historic preservation, public education, and interpretation of Wilmington's colonial, Revolutionary-era, and nineteenth-century past.

• 1975

  National Register listing

  [1]Harnden Tavernen.wikipedia.org

  Harnden Tavern was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

• 1973

  Municipal acquisition

  [1]Harnden Tavernen.wikipedia.org

  The Town of Wilmington acquired the building by eminent domain, bringing it into public ownership.

• 1818

  Sale to Dr. Silas Brown

  [1]Harnden Tavernen.wikipedia.org

  The property was sold to Dr. Silas Brown and subsequently remained in the Brown-Hathaway family for about 125 years.

• 1816

  Death of Sarah Harnden

  [1]Harnden Tavernen.wikipedia.org

  Sarah Cornell Harnden died on August 9, 1816.

• 1807

  Death of Colonel Joshua Harnden

  [1]Harnden Tavernen.wikipedia.org

  Joshua Harnden, later known as a colonel and Wilmington selectman, died on September 9, 1807.

• 1775

  Joshua Harnden serves during the Revolutionary War

  [1]Harnden Tavernen.wikipedia.org

  Joshua Harnden served in Captain Timothy Walker's militia company during the American Revolutionary War; the supplied source does not specify an exact service year.

• 1770

  Construction of the tavern

  [1]Harnden Tavernen.wikipedia.org

  The building now known as Harnden Tavern was constructed at 430 Salem Street in Wilmington, Massachusetts, as a late-Georgian residence.

A preserved local heritage landmark and museum rather than a currently operating hospitality brand.

1. 1Harnden Tavernen.wikipedia.org