Gooding House and Tavern - Architectural Development and Context

Architectural Development and Context

The original Gooding Tavern building had a Flemish bond facade and was 5 bays wide. If it was a two-story building, the upper floor was removed and rebuilt c. 1854. It is also possible that it was only one story or 1½ story high, and was greatly expanded at mid-century. The tax records indicate a change in the value of the Gooding House in the mid-1850s. The tax assessment had remained constant during the 1840s, but dropped off in 1854 to $450, followed by a significant jump to $1800 in 1855. The huge jump between 1854 and 1855 indicates that significant improvements were made to the house in 1854.

At the age of 58, George Gooding appeared to be prospering as a farmer. The addition of railroad transportation to Orange Station in 1850, the construction of the east-west connecting Gooding Road, now Orange Road, in the 1840s and early 1850s, and the continuing use of the building as a tavern (a "license to keep tavern" was issued to George Gooding in 1853) all contributed to the ability of George Gooding to make improvements to his property. The change from Flemish bond pattern brick on the first story to common bond pattern brick on the second story provides evidence that the second floor was built after the Federal period. Early Italianate characteristics include the wide eaves with carved brackets, the segmental arch windows with six-over-six sash; and the front entry enframement. On the interior, the front stair handrail and newel post appear to date from the mid-19th century, as does the heavily-molded woodwork on the second floor.

The Gooding House and Tavern was under the ownership of Harry Gooding, George Gooding's grandson, when the significant 1917 alterations took place. At that time, Harry Gooding was continuing to farm the property. Ninety years had passed since his grandfather had first built a tavern here, and as many as 60 years had elapsed since the house had been expanded and perhaps updated. Much had changed in those years, including electrification and indoor plumbing, not to mention architectural tastes and styles. The Colonial Revival style was gaining popularity, along with the Arts and Crafts movement of the teens and twenties. Harry Gooding made a major investment in the home in 1916–1917, completely transforming the first floor with the addition of casement replacement windows, elaborate window and door trim, new exterior and interior doors, wall and ceiling paneling, new fireplace mantles, and built-in cupboards, casework and seating. A large double casement window with window seat was added to the dining room. Bathrooms on first and second floors were added then, and the kitchen was updated as well.