Elkins Tavern, Historic tavern in Peacham, Vermont

Elkins Tavern is a 2+1⁄2-story wood-frame house with a side-gable roof, central chimney, clapboarded exterior and stone foundation, standing on a rise east of Bayley-Hazen Road. Its five-bay west facade has a center entrance with pilasters, a transom window and a gabled pediment, and a similar doorway faces north. A 19th-century barn stands across the street.

Jonathan Elkins built this structure in 1787 after settling in the area, placing it along the Bayley-Hazen Road during Vermont's early development. It served the growing community as a gathering point during the region's early years of settlement.

The building shows how people arranged homes in the 1700s, with a central chimney and curved staircase that display craftsmanship of that time. Visitors can see how the tavern functioned as a gathering place and how rooms were used for both private and public purposes.

The building sits on the east side of Bayley-Hazen Road, south of Peacham's main village center and is easy to spot from the road. Visiting during daylight hours works best to see the wood details and window work on the exterior.

The interior spaces preserve original fireplace surrounds and detailed wall wainscoting from the 1700s. These hand-crafted elements show how homes were built and decorated using skills developed over generations.