Curtis Tavern, State Route 57, Granville

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS MASS,7-GRANV,1-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

One of five structures built in the Granville area by a skilled craftsman; though his name is unrecorded, this structure attests to his impact on the built landscape of New England. Description : The Curtis Tavern is a two story, frame structure, dominated visually by a central chimney. The exterior wall fabric is clapboard. The front elevation is five bays, though four giant order pilasters give it a tripartite appearance overall. In the center bay, paired pilasters flank the entrance door; between the pilasters are sidelights. The four pilasters support a full entablature. Above each first floor window is a cornice with dentils. Beneath the roof cornice hangs carved rope molding. The east and west fenestration is asymmetrical.

The present carved entablature, above the door, is not original to this house but is of the period. It was taken from a structure in Westfield. Behind the house, a shed was added, altering the south facade. History : Defined as a cluster of buildings at cross roads of Granville's main thoroughfares, Middle Parish flourished from the late eighteenth century to the mid-nineteenth century. Its arrival is generally perceived as when the Second Church of Christ Congregational was constructed. Need for its own ecclesiastical structure signified a thriving community. Commonly known as West Granville, building construction boomed between and Aaron Curtis built the "Curtis Tavern" in as his residence. Curtis served in the Revolutionary War.

Once in Granville, Curtis helped found the Second Church of Christ Congregational. Subsequent owners, Parsons and Joseph Welch map) continued to use the structure as a residence. It continues to serve the private sector today.