Sandwiched between Route 2 and the St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad tracks, the Peabody Tavern served as a stagecoach and later a railroad stop between Portland, Maine, and Lancaster, New Hampshire. It was built by Thomas Peabody, of Andover, Massachusetts, whose family was one of the first who settled the area. The tavern is a simple wood-frame, 2-story structure with an asymmetrically pitched side-gabled roof. A large ell extends off the rear on the east end of the main building. The facade is symmetrical with double-hung multi-paned windows. Federal-era sidelights frame the front door. The interior features original wall stencils, previously hidden under wallpaper. The tavern likely had a much larger center chimney that has since been rebuilt. A wrap-around porch, a recent addition, shelters most of the first floor. Taverns played a crucial role in early New England society, serving as a gathering place for the community and as a respite for travelers, offering food and overnight lodging. The tavern owner and his family typically lived on the premises, in an area separated from the guests. The Peabody Tavern currently serves as an antiques store.
Year Listed: 1976
For more information: https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/AssetDetail?assetID=90446f1f-87b4-43be-8e90-e2d976ba702a