Photograph of the Old Prescott Tavern (AKA Old Prescott House) around 2 W. Prescott St, as it looked in 1920. It was one of seven properties once owned by the Prescott family in Westford. The farm property was settled by the Prescotts in 1680, while the tavern was built in 1817. The building was run as a tavern until 1845. The original ell, which was torn down after 1920, was the site of commercial operations, including a general store and silk spinning. The last of the Prescott family to live there was Richard Daniels Prescott (1867-1935), 1st Lt. Fire Department, and he sold the property to the Abbot Worsted Co by 1929. As well as continuing as a residence, it functioned as a central location in Forge. The post office was then located there within Connell’s variety store until 1956. There was also a barber shop from as early as 1955 to the late 1960s. The tavern was demolished in 1976. A new, still present retail building opened in that year. W.2009.12
See Geoff Hall’s interview with Josephine Patricia (Connell) Hartley, Growing up in Forge Village
Order your companion book herehttps://museum.westford.org/product/ornament-welcome-to-forge-village/
