Community Corner
Worcester's Historic Stearns Tavern Opening This Week
The building was moved in 2016 to a spot along Mill Street. A grand reopening ceremony will be held on Oct. 15.
WORCESTER, MA — The Stearns Tavern, perhaps Worcester's most-moved building, will have a grand reopening this week after a long renovation. This historic building will host workforce training programs and a café.
The tavern was built in 1812 and originally located along Main Street. It was moved in 1974 to 651 Park Ave., where it was used as a bank and a carpet store.
The tavern was set to be demolished, but was saved after a multi-million dollar region-wide fundraising effort. The tavern, which has two separate buildings, was put on wheels and moved to Mill Street near Coes Park in 2016.
Since then, the tavern has been undergoing renovations. Over 100 local companies, nonprofits, and unions have contributed in-kind donations or money to the project. The city of Worcester pitched in $900,000, on top of a $400,000 MassWorks grant, and $150,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The Seven Hills Foundation workforce programs will serve adults with developmental disabilities. The foundation's café in the building will be open to the public year-round.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony happens on Oct. 15 at 8:30 a.m., 140 Mill St.
You can watch a video of the 2016 move here:
