Historic Timeline
1639
Lynn Village
In 1639 some citizens of Lynn petitioned the government of the Massachusetts Bay Colony for “place for an inland plantation.” The General Court granted them six square miles, then an additional four. The first settlement was called Lynn Village.
1644
Town Incorporated
On June 10th, 1644 the settlement was incorporated by the House of Deputies as the Town of Reading, taking its name from Reading, England.
1694
House is built
This house, the oldest documented one still standing in Reading, was built by Abraham Bryant, a farmer and blacksmith. It is a style called “saltbox”, typical of seventeenth century houses, with a massive central chimney.
1724
New Owner
Abraham Bryant 3rd sold the house to his brother-in-law Nathaniel Stow, who was also a blacksmith.
1760
Licensed Inn
Ephraim Parker, from whom the house takes its name, operated a licensed inn during the Revolutionary War period. Some of the prisoners of war from the 71st Scottish Regiment, including their commander Colonel Archibald Campbell and his officers, were quartered here.
1806
Family Farm
The Sweetser Family owned and operated the property as a farm for most of the 19th century.
1886
Church Owned
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.
1923
Reading Antiquarian Society
The town sold the Tavern to the Reading Antiquarian Society for a nominal sum. Since 1923, the Society has maintained the Tavern for the benefit of all the townspeople, without any appropriation from the town’s budget.