Hoar Tavern

Moved [X Original Site The Hoar Tavern property consists of approximately two acres with a house and outbuildings and is situated on the old Cambridge Turnpike, now a part of Route 2. The buildings are located near the south or Turnpike side of the property and include a house and ell connected to a large barn with a separate outbuilding to the east of the barn. The house and the barn are the earliest buildings, with much of the original fabric dating from the first quarter of the eighteenth cen- tury; subsequent additions date from the nineteenth century and from a 1913 remodelling. All buildings are sheathed in clapboard with the exception of the north and north-west sides of the barn, which are wooden shingled.

The two and one half story house is typical of New England vernacular architecture with its five bay, central en- trance facade, gable roof, and large central chimney. Though simple, the facade evidences a Greek Revival remodelling in its wide fascia board cornice and flush board window frames. In the mid-nineteenth century an open porch was applied to the front and east side of the house, paired front doors took the place of the original single door front entry, and 2x2 sashes were substituted for earlier ones. The appearance of the house changed again in 1913 when the porch was re- moved and replaced by a simple covered entry, which incorporated two of the pierced pilaster supports from the former porch.

Also at this time the ell was remodelled; its roof was raised and dormer windows were added, and a neo-colonial blind arcade was created across its east elevation.

The Hoar Tavern was a well known local tavern in Revolutionary times, and was for almost two hundred years the home of one of Lincoln's most distinguished families. Possibly built, in part, as early as the 1680's, the house and its adjoining property were originally included in the town of Concord. Between 1713 and 1754 it was part of Lexington, and at the latter date it became part of the newly incorporated town of Lincoln. John Hoar, the son of the original owner, Daniel Hoar, inherited the property in 1734. He fought in the French and Indian War and was a selectman of both Lexington and Lincoln. Sometime before the Revolution, John operated a tavern on the property, and it served men returning from the Concord Bridge skirmish of April 19, 1775.

John and his son, Samuel, were among the men of the Lincoln Militia Company when they made their historic stand at the bridge. John was also a signer of the deposition to England relating the events of the day, and which reached London before the official news came from the British commander. Lt. Samuel Hoar con- tinued the family's interest in town affairs, serving as town moderator His son, Samuel Jr., was a renowned lawyer and U. S. Congressman and grandfather of U. S. Senator, George "Frisbee" Hoar. Leonard Hoar, another son of John, was one of the orig- inal incorporators of the Cambridge and Concord Turnpike Association in 1803.

The turnpike, completed in 1807, passed in front of the tavern on its route from the West Boston Bridge to Old Lexington Road in Concord, and one of the two toll stations was located near the Hoar's public house. Today the old turnpike is incorporated into Route 2.