Rider Tavern

DATE_ The Rider Tavern is on Stafford Street (Northside Turnpike) just opposite the intersection with Northside Road. It is located on 2½ acres of land which are surrounded by open fields and pastures of neighboring farms. The Rider Tavern (c.1797) measures 90 feet by 40 feet, and is three stories in height. It stands on a foundation of dry fieldstone construction, topped with granite slabs backed with brick on the ends. On the south (front) and west sides no foundation appears above grade, but the east end reveals a full basement with a brick exterior wall. The exterior walls of the building are clapboard with cornerboards, although as- phalt siding applied in the 1950's now covers the original material.

Only on the eastern third of the rear wall of the building are the clapboards exposed. Mater- ials used in the construction of the Tavern are of local origin. The nails are said to be from the forge of Fortus Hammond and the granite cut from a quarry in South Charlton. The main facade of the Rider Tavern has two entrances, each approximately 30 feet from either end of the building. The east door retains its original features with its large keystone, heavy quoins, and projecting moided cornice. The western entrance was identical to the eastern, but was remodeled in 1939. Its keystone and cornice remain, however. There are a total of 26 windows on the facade, 6 on the east elevation and 6 on the west.

The first and second story windows on the east end of the facade have heavily keystoned lintels. These have been removed on much of the rest of the building. Third-story windows are set close under the eaves.

/ARCHITECT The Rider Tavern is significant as one of the major inns on the Stafford and wor- cester Turnpike and as the scene of a visit by General Lafayette during his 1824-25 tour of the United States. It is also significant for the unique architectural features which have been preserved in what is one of the best examples of its period in Charlton and certainly the most outstanding Federal inn in the surrounding area. The Rider Tavern was begun 'in 1797 by Eli Wheelock, but before completion was sold to two wealthy brothers William and Captain Isiah (sic) Rider. The Tavern was located on the principal stage line, the Stafford and Worcester Turnpike, and was the only inn on this section of the turnpike between Sturbridge and Worcester.

The Rider Tavern was in North Charlton, or Northside Village, which contained among other important town buildings a post office, a church, and school. In its situation on an important stage line, the Tavern was the center of hospitality and activity in North Charlton. One of the most-remembered events which occurred at the Rider Tavern was a visit by the famous General Lafayette. Accompanied by an entourage of fifty horsemen, the Frenchman stopped at the inn where a gala celebration was held in his honor. He was greeted by an old friend and local resident, Mr. Dunbar.

The Rider Tavern is also significant for a number of its interesting architectural seatuxesey massacguset s The original roof was flat and supported the only roof garden in central and eastern Massachusetts outside of Boston. Although the roof garden is no longer in existence, its structure is clearly visible in the attic.