In 1886, the Catholic church purchased the Sweetser property and built a new church building in the northwest corner on Washington Street. The Tavern was rented as a residence until 1916.
Historic Timeline
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In 1886, the Catholic church purchased the Sweetser property and built a new church building in the northwest corner on Washington Street. The Tavern was rented as a residence until 1916.
The Parker Tavern gets its present name from Ephraim Parker, great-grandson of Reading co-founder Thomas Parker. Ephraim acquired the property and ran a licensed inn during the Revolutionary War. Notably, some prisoners of war from the 71st Scottish Regiment, including commander Colonel Archibald Campbell and his officers, were quartered here.
Thomas Sweetser acquired the property, which remained in the ownership and operation of the Sweetser Family throughout most of the 19th century, spanning nearly a century as a productive working farm.