Nomination for Parker Tavern

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form No. 10-300 (Rev. 10-74) LUNTROSTATES DEPARTMENT OF THE IC HR1079205 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE DATA SHEET FOR NPS USE ONLY NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM RECEIVED JUL 8 1975 DATE ENTERED AUG 19 1975 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES - COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS 1 NAME HISTORIC Parker Tavern AND/OR COMMON Parker Tavern 2 LOCATION STREET & NUMBER 103 Washington Street CITY, TOWN 3 Reading STATE Massachusetts CLASSIFICATION - VICINITY OF CODE 025 CATEGORY DISTRICT *BUILDING(S) _STRUCTURE SITE _OBJECT OWNERSHIP PUBLIC XPRIVATE _BOTH PUBLIC ACQUISITION IN PROCESS _BEING CONSIDERED STATUS *_OCCUPIED _UNOCCUPIED -WORK IN PROGRESS ACCESSIBLE *_YES: RESTRICTED _YES: UNRESTRICTED -NO 4 OWNER OF PROPERTY NAME Reading Antiquarian Society STREET & NUMBER 103 Washington Street CITY.

TOWN Reading VICINITY OF LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE. REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC. Middlesex County Registry of Deeds STREET & NUMBER 208 Cambridge Street CITY. TOWN Cambridge 6 REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS _NOT FOR PUBLICATION CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 7th COUNTY Middlesex CODE 017 PRESENT USE AGRICULTURE X MUSEUM COMMERCIAL _PARK -EDUCATIONAL _PRIVATE RESIDENCE -ENTERTAINMENT _RELIGIOUS GOVERNMENT SCIENTIFIC _INDUSTRIAL _TRANSPORTATION MILITARY LOTHER: STATE Massachusetts 01867 STATE Massachusetts TITLE Inventory of the Historic Assets of the Commonwealth DATE 1974 DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS CITY.

TOWN _FEDERAL XSTATE COUNTY LOCAL Massachusetts Historical Commission Boston STATE Massachusetts 02108 7 DESCRIPTION CONDITION EXCELLENT X GOOD -FAIR DETERIORATED _RUINS _UNEXPOSED CHECK ONE _UNALTERED X ALTERED CHECK ONE *ORIGINAL SITE _MOVED DATE DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

The Parker Tavern is located on Washington Street in a residential area near the center of Reading. The house is of typical 17th-century saltbox design and has two stories and an attic. The main portion of the Parker Tavern is built on a fieldstone founda- tion, which stands eight inches above ground. There is a window in the west cellar foundation for ventilation. Direct entrance to the cellar is only from the inside. The main house displays the Parker Tavern's 17th century character with its integral lean-to sloping to the east. The structure is sheathed in wooden shingles with corner boards and water table. The gable roof is covered with asphalt shingles. There is a central chimney of brick on the main house and smaller brick chimney on the 1964-65 custodian's ell.

The front facade of thehouse is characterized by a four-bay arrange- ment, with two windows to the right of the entrance and one to the left. The north elevation has five windows irregularly spaced, with three on the first floor, two on the second, and one in the attic story. The east elevation has a central doorway with one window to the right (north) and two on the left (south). The south side of the main house has three windows, one on each floor. The double- hung windows have predominately 12/8 sash with plain surrounds. In 1923 the Parker Tavern was acquired by the Reading Antiquarian Society which restored the building between 1923 and 1930. During the restoration several appendages were removed, the chimney replaced, and the barn moved.

In 1964-65 a custodian's ell was added to the south side of the house.It measures twenty-five by nineteen feet and is made of materials which match those of the main house.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD _PREHISTORIC -1400-1499 -1500-1599 X-1600-1699 X-1700-1799 X 1800-1899 X1900- ARCHEOLUGY-PREHISTORIC ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC AGRICULTURE X ARCHITECTURE ART _COMMERCE -COMMUNICATIONS AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE -- CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW _COMMUNITY PLANNING -LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE _CONSERVATION LAW -ECONOMICS - LITERATURE _EDUCATION XMILITARY -ENGINEERING _MUSIC -EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT _PHILOSOPHY -INDUSTRY _POLITICS/GOVERNMENT LINVENTION _RELIGION _SCIENCE _SCULPTURE -SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN -THEATER _TRANSPORTATION -OTHER (SPECIFY) SPECIFIC DATES 1694 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE BUILDER

Statement of significance

/ARCHITECT The Parker Tavern is the oldest documented house in Reading and is an outstanding local example of 17th century architectural building methods. It has also served as the home of a number of significant figures in Reading history. The house was built in 1694 by Abraham Bryant, Jr., a blacksmith. Bryant had received the land in 1693 as a gift from his father who had acquired it in 1687 as part of his share in town lands purchased from the Indians. Since Abraham's taxes doubled the second year he owned the property, it is assumed that the house was built in that period. Bryant lived in the house until his death in 1714, and in 1724 his son- in-law Nathaniel Stow purchased the house from the son of Abraham Bryant III. Stow was also a blacksmith, and so the trade was continued at the homestead until he died in the 1730's.

The next occupants of the house (from 1738 to 1757) were Ebenezer Nichols, a tanner, and his son who was a farmer. that time comprised 30 acres of land with an additional 40 acres in the meadow lots. Colonel Nichols (the elder) was the most distinguished owner of the house and was an influential and highly honored citizen. He served as town moderator, selectman, and a representative during the critical difficulties with England over the Stamp Act. In 1768 he was listed as the fifth highest tax payer in South Reading. From 1757 to 1804 Ephraim Parker, a cordwainer, lived on the property. Parker fought during the French and Indian War and is credited with service during the alarm of April 19, 1775.

Records show that from 1770 until 1785 Ephraim Parker's house was a licensed inn, thus the derivation of the "Parker Tavern." During the American Revolution the Parker Tavern served as prison quarters for Colonel Archibald Campbell, seven officers and twenty-two servants. Campbell and the 71st Scotch Regiment had been captured in Boston Harbor on June 16, 1776, and had been placed on parole in a 0 76, 076,, number of the interior towns. In 1778 Campbell was freed when he was exchanged for Colonel Ethan Allen. (Continued) 9

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Howard, Loea Parker. The Parker Tavern. Reading: Reading Antiquarian Society, 1930. The New England Historical Genealogical Register, January 1959. The 71st Highlanders in Massachusetts, 1776-1780, Colin Campbell. Walcott, Charles. Sir Archibald Campbell. 1898. 10 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY 6 acre UTM REFERENCES (24,700 square feet) A 119| L3|2,619,2,0 ZONE EASTING L4,7/0,9146,01 NORTHING LILIL VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION ZONE UTM OK (9875) EASTING NORTHING - NORTHING LILLL LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES STATE CODE COUNTY CODE STATE CODE COUNTY CODE 11 FORM PREPARED BY NAME / TITLE ORGANIZATION Massachusetts Historical Commission STREET & NUMBER 40 Beacon Street CITY OR TOWN Boston Judy Dobbs, National Register Editor, and Miriam A.

Barclay, Reading Antiquarian Society July 2, 1975 TELEPHONE 617-727-8470 STATE Massachusetts 02108 12 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE IS: NATIONAL - STATE _ LOCAL As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service.

STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER SIGNATURE Eljabeck Qued Amalon Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical Commission FOR NPS USE ONLY DATE guly 2,1975 1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY IS INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF ARCH DATE 8/19/75 DATE AUG 18 1975 KEEPER OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER GPO 888-445 Form No. 10-300a (Rev. 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY JUL 8 1975 RECEIVED DATE ENTERED AUG 19 19/5 CONTINUATION SHEET Significance (Continued) ITEM NUMBER 8 PAGE 1 In 1806 the Parker Tavern passed into the hands of the Sweetser family who owned it for over a century. In 1923 the house and field ad joining it were purchased by the Town of Reading who then sold the house to the Reading Antiquarian Society.

The Society now preserves the house as a museum- Property State Mass. TECHNICAL paptos - 3 Maps Parker Lavern Working Numberg. 8.25.1227 Dood statement of significance. Middlesex CONTROL OK 1.11.15 HISTORIAN Acept E. Smitk 2-22-15 ARCHITECTURAL l HISTORIAN t/taule ARCHEOLOGIST OTHER HAER Heany Restoration! Inventory - Review REVIEW UNIT CHIEF 38/75 BRANCH CHIEF 8.13.75 KEEPER AUG 1 8 1975 AUG 1-9 1975* Entered IN T:2106 - 74 National Register Write-up Federal Register Entry 10-7-75 Send-back - Re-submit United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WASO No. 7 Feadiig Maso PROPEn 103 % cohingtan s. Parker Tarern An. l: .A t... aslas la Niot. Form No. 10-301a (Pev.

10-7+) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY JUL 8 RECEIVED AUG DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORA TYPE ALL ENTRIES ENCLOSE WITH PHOTOGRAPH NAME HISTORIC Parker Tavern AND/OR COMMON same LOCATION CITY. TOWN Reading VICINITY OF PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Frank Gazarian NEGATIVE FILED AT Raphael Studio, 244 Main Street, Reading, MA IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. IF DISTRICT, GIVE BUILDING NAME & STREET North facade COUNTY Middlesex DATE OF PHOTO March 4 PH Reading Mace. 103 Naskinatan sx. Parker Toren tpading Anteguanen Sreuly PROPERTY OF THE NATI Form No. 10-301a (Pev.

10-7+) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY JUL 8 RECEIVED AUG DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FOR TYPE ALL ENTRIES ENCLOSE WITH PHOTOGRAPH NAME HISTORIC Parker Tavern AND/OR COMMON same LOCATION CITY. TOWN Reading VICINITY OF COUNTY Middlesex PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Frank Gazarian NEGATIVE FILED AT Raphael Studio, 244 Main Street, Reading, MA DATE OF PHOTO March IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. IF DISTRICT, GIVE BUILDING NAME & STREET West facade (main facade) PROFL.. OT THE NATIONAL REGISTER Gea ding maas. 103 Waohington Sr. Form No. 10-301a (Pev.

10-7+) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED UL 8 1975 DATE ENTERED AUG 19 1975 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES ENCLOSE WITH PHOTOGRAPH NAME HISTORIC Parker Tavern AND/OR COMMON same LOCATION CITY, TOWN Reading VICINITY OF PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Frank Gazarian NEGATIVE FILED AT Raphael Studio, 244 Main Street, Reading, MA IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. IF DISTRICT, GIVE BUILDING NAME & STREET East facade COUNTY Middlesex STATE DATE OFPHOTO March 4, 1974 PHOTO NO 3 PROCERTY OF JHE MATIONAL RESElung Maeo 103 Nashingtas It. Parker Taren 2s. 1... Ortirnaiian Socier Form No. 10-301a (Pev.

10-7+) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED JUL 8 197 AUG 1 DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORM TYPE ALL ENTRIES ENCLOSE WITH PHOTOGRAPH NAME HISTORIC Parker Tavern AND/OR COMMON same LOCATION CITY. TOWN Reading _VICINITY OF COUNTY Middlesex PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Frank Gazarian NEGATIVE FILED AT DATE OF PHOTO Raphael Studio, 244 Main Street, Reading, MA IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. IF DISTRICT, GIVE BUILDING NAME & STREET South facade, showing 1964-65 custodian's ell S1 March L PHOT Form No. 10-301 (Rev.

10-74 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY MAP FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY JUL 8 1975 RECEIVED DATE ENTERED AUG 19 1975 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- ENCLOSE WITH MAP N NAME HISTORIC Parker Tavern AND/OR COMMON same LOCATION CITY. TOWN Reading -VICINITY OF COUNTY Middlesex STATE MA 3 MAP REFERENCE SOURCE USGS, Reading Quadrangle SCALE 1:24000 REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1. PROPERTY BOUNDARIES 2. NORTH ARROW 3. UTM REFERENCES DATE 1966 INT: 3464 - 75 Form No. 10-301 (Rev.

10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY MAP FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED JUL 8 1975 AUG 19 1975 DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- ENCLOSE WITH MAP 2 3 NAME HISTORIC Parker Tavern AND/OR COMMON same LOCATION CITY, TOWN Reading MAP REFERENCE SOURCE Assessors Map SCALE 1"' = 160' REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1. PROPERTY BOUNDARIES 2. NORTH ARROW 3. UTM REFERENCES _VICINITY OF COUNTY Middlesex STATE MA DATE 1967 INT: 3464 - 75 PLAT 53 CROSSY ROAD N MINOT 26 STREET Sog W78 34 8.995 S0 F+ 5550 35 5000 10%. 109 100 33 32 75 500 .328 SWEETSER 10830 0230 27 3,* 2307 32 S.o,, 26 29 S00 30 3 300 1023 1300 1to 36 37 38 WARREN 39 1650 40 8,703 12 040 Sar. 77O -856 54*- 3, 3922 *43 310 AVE. 220 17,315 90, F+ 25 S000 24 24,700 Sqr. 231,018 Sq.

F+ HIGH 2700 23 S00 STREET 22b PLAT 54 =POSTON - :0.".. - LINCOLN 10 2,000 MAINE ASSESSMENT HERE 155 85 - 57505.- 21 20 WASHINGTON 10% = 1400 19 s00 FULTON 12 /. 1150/30 la 13 26:3 67095 $0 20 26.035 9q F+ 911110 - RECÊNED 1975 JUL 8 NATIONAL REGISTER 5 6730 PRESCOTT PLAT 63 1,1967 JNUt N "EADING BOARD AND ASSESSORS PLAN INFORMATION COMPILEL FROM RECORD DATA. FOR ASSESSMENT PURPOSES ONLY 5716 41 ST7S AVE.t 42 43 110 40 87 15 PLAT 41 46: 22 13 40 STREET 3 3736 % '+ 11060 SeF* 122 4 632457 1030 STREET PLAT 51 Plat 5 SCALE ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATEMASSACHUSETTS Date Entered AUG 1 9 1975 Name Parker Tavern Location Reading Midalesex County hon. Edward 4. Kenned] Also Notified Fon. Fiward N. Brooke Hon. Zorbert H.

Maedonald Regional Director, North Atlantic Region PR MMott:cm 8/20/75 Stato Hatoete R Anadonion Ofeor Executive Director Massachusetts Historical Cormission 40 Beacon Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 INT: 2950-75 NR listed FORM B - BUILDING K-22 MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION 294 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108 may atjo iig peup I relation to nearest - Area/ C Form no. .1/7 Reading (#9) ess 103 Washington Street oric Name Parker Tavern Original House Present Museum rship:- Private individual Private organization Reading Antiquarian Society Public Original owner Abraham Bryant Jr. or Deacon Nathaniel Stow MEUCRIPTION: Date c. 1693 or 1724-25 Style Source_ Rooftrees, Dr. Abbott L.

Cum- mings First Period Architect none Exterior wall fabric wood shingles Outbuildings_20th-century tool shed ) 00 8 08 EET Recorded byArchif8stufatefreservation Organization Reaging +Historical Date November 30, 1980 Major alterations (with dates) Restoration, 1923: included windows and replacement Of cluster chimney. Tenants wina, 1964 Moved perhaps Date Approx. acreage under one acre Setting on small hill at end of drive from street. House faces west BLTM: 19/326910/4709450 (Staple additional sheets here) ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE (describe important architectural features and evaluate in terms of other buildings within community) On the National Register of Historic Places, the Parker Tavern is one of Reading's oldest surviving buildings. All of the documentary sources place its construction at about 1694, but comparative structural anal- ysis by Dr. Abbott L.

Cummings suggests a date of 1724-25. It is the town's best-preserved example of the early, central-chimney, saltbox form of architecture. The simple Federal door surround -- with pil- asters formed of recessed panels, capitals delineated by a narrow molding, and a shallow projecting cornice -- is found in a number of Reading's Revolutionary-War and post-war houses. Twelve-over-eight windows abut the cornice at the second story, signaling the approach- HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE (explain the role owners played in local or state history and how the building relates to the development of the community) Built either by Abraham Bryant Jr. or Deacon Nathaniel Stow, the house passed from Stow's estate to Colonel Ebenezer Nichols and his son, Ebenezer, Jr., in 1738. Colonel Nichols was the most distinguished resident of the house.

He served as an officer in 1722-24 against the French and Indians, and in the expedition against the French at Louis- burg, Cape Breton, in 1745. He was in service at Cape Point and was wounded in the battle of Lake George. He became a colonel of a regiment under General Abercrombie at Ticonderoga in 1757, and sold his house that same year. Colonel Nichols drew the earliest map of the town, was frequently town moderator and a selectman, and represented the town for nine years in the General Court. Ephraim Parker, who owned the house next, ran it as a tavernfrom about 1760 through the Revolutionary War. He boarded Colonel Archibald Campbell and some of his officers of the 71st Scots Highlanders, who had been taken prisoner in June 1776 at Boston Harbor.

Located on one of the original highways, delineated by Colonel Nichols in 1764, the house was near a crossroads leading to present-day Wakefield After. 1807, the house was occupied by Thomas Sweetser, whose 18-year-old wifle hired herself out for spinning by the week. In 1923, it was purchased by the Reading Antiquarian Society, which building restored by local architects Adden and Parker. The society now maintains the tavern as a museam interpreting Reading's history; it has an active educational department. BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES 1765 map Ephraim Parker 1795 map E. Parker 1830 map yes 1954 man T. Sweetser (Thomas) 1875 map Thos. Sweetser 1889 map no name (continuing Sweetser ownership) 1906 man J. J. Williams Bishop, Rooftrees, Chapter 3.

20M-2/80 INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Commmity : Form No: MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Office of the Secretary, Boston Reading C 117 Property Name: Parker Tavern Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued below. ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE The orientation of the house to the west -- in a town where 17th and 18th-century houses were nearly all built facing south -- indicates that the house might have been moved at some time. Staple to Inventory form at bottom WASO Form - 177 ("R" June 1984) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET Parker Tavern (Reading MRA) Middlesex County MASSACHUSETTS resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Substantive Review: Reviewer's comments: -sample - request LJappeal JUN 4 1984 Working No. Fed. Reg.

Date: Date Due:7-5--+4>-19 -sy Action: ACCEPT -RETURN _REJECT Federal Agency: - -NR decision Recom./Criteria Reviewer - Discipline Date _see continuation sheet Nomination returned for: - _technical corrections cited below -substantive reasons discussed below 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification Category Ownership Public Acquisition 4. Owner of Property 5. Location of Legal Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys Has this property been determined eligible? yes no 7. Description Condition excellent good fair deteriorated ruins unexposed Check one - unaltered altered Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance summary paragraph completeness clarity alterations/integrity dates boundary selection Status Accessible Present Use Check one -original site - moved date 8.

Significance Period Areas of Significance-Check and justify below Specific dates Builder/Architect Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) summary paragraph completeness clarity applicable criteria justification of areas checked relating significance to the resource context relationship of integrity to significance justification of exception other (AS 9. Major Bibliographical References 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property Quadrangle name_ UTM References Verbal boundary description and justification 11. Form Prepared By 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: national state local State Historic Preservation Officer signature date title 13.

Other Maps Photographs Other Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Signed - Date - Phone: Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet h:parker Tavon kendng M12t 111 C-// 7 103 Waskington The following structure -- the Parker Tavern, at 103 Washington Street (form no. C-117) -- has already been listed upon the National Register of Historic Places, and its form is included here solely for reference purposes. NR Data Sheet DATE: 32377 Reviewer ENITIALS: SDO NR DOE August 19, 1975 NAME AS IT APPEARS IN FEDERAL REGISTER: Parker Tavern OTHER NANES: LOCATIONY STREET & NUMBER 103 Washington Street CITY. TOWN Reading CONGRESSIUNAL DISTRICT 7th VICINITY OF STATE Massachusetts COUNTY Middlesex code 017.

OWNER OF PROPERTY: (Circle) PRIVATE STATE LOCAL GOV'T MUNICIPAL COUNTY OTHER ADMINISTRATOR (underline) NPS REGION: (CIRCLE) FEDERAL (AGENCY NAME) : N.ATLANTIC MID ATLANTIC SOUTHEAST MIDWEST SOUTHWEST ROCKY MOUNTAIN WEST PACIFIC NORTHWEST FEATURES: INTERIOR Substantially intact-1 - unknown - 4 - not applicable - 7 CONDITION - _EXGELLENT LGOOD -FAIR XTERIOR Vsubstantially intact-2 - unknown.-S - not applicable - 8 ENVIRONS Bubstantially intact-3 - unknown -6 -Not applicable-9 -Interioi, exterior, environs not intact-o _DETERIORATED - UNALTERED _RUINS LALTERED _UNEXPOSED -Reconstructed LORIGINAL SITE _MOVED _Unknown _Unexcavated _Excavated ACCESS - Yes-restricted Yes-unrestricted No access Unknown historic district? YES NO WITHIN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT? IF YES, NAME: YES NO WITHIN NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK? IF YES, NAME: YES NO ADAPTIVE USE: YES - NO Saved ?

- YES NO FUNCTION(S): (use vocabulary words) then- private kuidence.

now- museum SIGNIFICANCE: ARCHEULUGY-PREHISTORIC -ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC -AGRICULTURE SARCHITECTURE - 4 ART -COMMERCE _COMMUNICATIONS Claims "first" YES _CONSERVATION -ECONOMICS -EDUCATION _ENGINEERING _EXPLORATION -INDUSTRY -INVENTION NO -LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE -RELIGION _LAW/Gov't/politics _SCIENCE -LITERATURE LMILITARY - /8 -SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN -MUSIC -PHILOSOPHY -POLITICS/GOVERNMENT _TRANSPORTATION -OTHER (SPECIFY) documeyted I "oldest"2 YES NO Reading - -entertainment _health -recreation -settlement _socio/cultural _urban & commun planning "only" YES NO ARCHITECTURA SIVLI, COLORiAt architect/m.builder: landscape/garden designer: interior decorator: ETHNIC GROUP: NAMES: (label role & personal appropriate date) engineer: artist/artisan: builder/contractor: events institutional DATES: DATE OE CONSTRUCTZON (Spocieso date oz 2/4 of centurys, /6e94 DATE (S) OF "MAJOR" ALTERATIONS: HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT DATE (S) : 1923-30,1964-65 SOURCE.

(OF NOMINATION) PRIVATE STATE LOCAL GOV"T MUNICIPAL COUNTY OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY : ACREAGE:(to nearest tenth of an acre) 0.6 2%½ STORIES, COMMENTS: (include architectural information here) FRAME, SHINGLING ;ARECTANGVLAR WITH saltboxcabled SIDE WINE, EARLEN ROOFII CENTERTAND INTERIOR CHIMEYS, CENTER ENTRANCE Simple eutablatuva, WITH PANELED DOOR AND, ARCHIFRAVE, WINE ENTRANCES; LEAN-TO ADDEDi - 5DE WING ADDEO, 196t-1965 ; RESTORED, 4925--1930 COLONIAL. OLDEST DOCUMENTED HOUSE Ui READING. Museum. SIGNIFICANCE:(maximum two sentences)