Open House Scheduled: The Tidd House Celebrates 200th Anniversary

WOBURN, MA, May 10, 2009— On September 27, an open house featuring a Victorian-style tea will be held at the Federal-style Tidd house, the oldest part of which was built in 1809.

Located in a section of Woburn once known as New Bridge Village, the original structure was completed in 1809 by Lt. Jonathan Tidd, a wealthy leather manufacturer. Built as a hotel for stage-coach passengers making their way along Elm Street which was then the main route from Boston to Lowell and Nashua, New Hampshire, the hotel provided hearty meals and occasional overnight lodging to weary passengers.

Since 1889, the house has been a unique residence for seniors, providing safe and affordable housing for seniors that allows them to continue to lead independent, fulfilled lives.

In that year William Tidd donated the Tidd Homestead to the Home for Aged Women. The building was dedicated in October of 1889 and has been in use ever since. In 1953 the name Home for Aged Women was changed to the Tidd Home to recognize the generosity of the Tidd family. In 2008, the Tidd Home was opened to all seniors, men and women.

The Open House will be held at the 74 Elm St. Woburn, from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, September 27th. The tea will include finger sandwiches, scones, cakes, and cookies, all prepared by the Tidd Home’s culinary staff.

If you would like to learn more about the Tidd Home, we would be pleased to send you a short DVD featuring town historian John McElhiney discussing the home and its place in Woburn history. The second half of the film includes a tour of the house and an interview with Tidd Home Executive Director Nancy Barnes. Please call Nancy at 781.933.0248.

About The Tidd Home The Tidd Home is located at 74 Elm St., a lovely residential area, and combines the gracious charm of the original Federal-era architecture and Victorian décor with the comfort and convenience of modern amenities. The Tidd Home recently completed a $1.5 million renovation/expansion program and is now accepting new residents. The Tidd Home was selected by SCI Woburn as one of the homes showcased as part of SCI Woburn’s Woburn Holiday House Tour in both 2006 and 2008.

For more information about the Tidd Home open house please call 781.933.0248.

About 1809

Many notable events took place in the same year as the Tidd Home was built.
Here is just a short list:

  • Architecture: Federal-style is in vogue and the Tidd Home is built.
  • Art: Gilbert Stuart is America's leading portraitist. He lives in Boston from 1805 to his death in 1828.
  • Clothing: Regency-style with Greek motifs.
  • Coffee: A brilliant, eccentric expatriot named Benjamin Thompson- -who preferred to be known as Count Rumford--modified the French de Belloy coffee pot to create his own drip version.
  • Construction: The first Western suspension bridge capable of carrying vehicles, with a span of 244 ft, is built across the Merrimack River at Newburyport, Massachusetts.
  • Drink: The mint julep is created as protection against malaria. Carbonated water is first served.
  • Food: Canning and sterilizing food in glass jars is invented.
  • Politics: James Madison is President. Thomas Jefferson has retired to Monticello. Abraham Lincoln is born.
  • Literature: Edgar Allan Poe is born.
  • Military: The Napolenic Wars continue.
  • Music: Franz Joseph Haydn dies.
  • Pastimes: Silhouette and miniature portrait painting.
  • Science: Charles Darwin is born.
  • Technology: Mary Kies becomes the first woman to receive a patent. (For a new method of weaving.)
  • Transportation: The steamboat is patented by Fulton