Dudley in Worcester County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

The Black Tavern

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 30, 2024

1. The Black Tavern Marker

Inscription. The Black Tavern, or Healy's Inn, was built in 1803-1804 by Hezekiah Healy, the son of Joseph Healy, the first male child born in Dudley. The Inn was a halfway point on the Boston to Hartford stagecoach road and was an important stop for travelers in those days. Additions were added to the east and north of the main building in 1810 and 1830. Over this time the building also served as the Healy family home and remained so until the 1940's, after which Nichols College purchased the property and utilized the Tavern and converted barn for a guest house and resident student housing until the 1980's. The once active inn and barn, in restored condition, are now owned and maintained by the Black Tavern Historical Society of Dudley and have been placed on the Department of Interior's National Register of Historic Places.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1803.

Location. 42° 2.743′ N, 71° 55.791′ W. Marker is in Dudley, Massachusetts, in Worcester County. It is at the intersection of Center Road and Tanyard Road, on the right when traveling north on Center Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 138 Center Rd, Dudley MA 01571, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Quiet Corner

and in Greater Worcester.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Dudley, MA Civil War POW Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Dudley Town Common / Center Road (a few steps from this marker); Dudley Soldiers War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Dudley, MA World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Dudley Meeting House (within shouting distance of this marker); Eben S. Stevens (approx. 1.8 miles away in Connecticut); St. Stephen’s Church 9/11 Memorial (approx. 1.9 miles away in Connecticut); Quinebaug Honor Roll (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dudley.

Also see . . .
1. The Black Tavern. Homepage for the Black Tavern Historical Society, which has been preserving and maintaining the site since 1980. (Submitted on November 4, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Black Tavern (PDF). Original National Register nomination for the tavern, which was listed in 1985. (Prepared by Betsy Friedberg and Charles Moseley; via National Archives) (Submitted on November 4, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

3. Black Tavern (Boundary Increase) [PDF]. National Register nomination that expanded the original listing to include the adjacent barn and annex in 2010.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 30, 2024

2. The Black Tavern Marker

(Prepared by Karen Davis and Betsy Friedberg; via National Archives) (Submitted on November 4, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Front view of the Black Tavern image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 30, 2024

3. Front view of the Black Tavern

The name supposedly came from Healy's painting the entire building in black, in the belief that it was an easier color to maintain.

National Register of Historic Places Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 30, 2024

4. National Register of Historic Places Plaque

The Black Tavern annex and barn image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 30, 2024

5. The Black Tavern annex and barn

They were added to the tavern's National Register listing in 2010. The barn was constructed ca. 1825, and the annex dates to before ca. 1830, when it was moved to its present location.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 307 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 4, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.