The Tyler Homestead (1785-1881)
The Moses Tyler Homestead, situated at the center of the Blackacre State Nature Preserve, dates to approximately 1785. As part of the National Register’s Tyler Settlement Rural Historic District, the Homestead shelters an 18th-century residence, springhouse, barn, and a pre-Civil War farmhouse, now open to the public as the Blackacre visitors’ center.
Surviving Historic Structures
The Presley Tyler Farmhouse was built in 1844 by a son of Moses Tyler. Constructed in a single-pile, the I-house design of the two-story brick farm house was characteristic of the region. It was painted yellow about 1900. Now housing the Blackacre Conservancy office, a caretaker’s apartment, and the Visitors’ Center featuring a photography and map exhibit detailing the farm’s history, the nine room structure is Blackacre’s largest residence.
The Stone Cottage, originally a one story, two-room residence with two stone fireplaces, was constructed between 1795 and 1800. The cottage has served many purposes through its two hundred years, but today is home to the preserve’s site biologist. A frame addition was added to the structure in 2000.
The Barn, in the Appalachian style typical of that era, would have been constructed about 1790, the year that Moses Tyler was issued a distillery license. It would have provided storage for corn and other grains for cattle and hog feeding. Housing two large cribs of poplar logs connected by a superstructure supporting the roof, it was originally covered by shakes that were replaced by tin after 1915.
The Springhouse, built of stone probably quarried at the site, is associated with the pre-1800 Stone Cottage. The structure covers a spring emerging from the surrounding limestone and provides a cool lower level for the storage of perishable foods plus an attic space for additional storage. The pond below the house was created in the 1940s. It will be allowed to revert to a natural spring.
The brick Smokehouse was built originally of logs several feet from its current location. The structure covers a dirt floor and contains a wooden trough.
The Carriage House complex, built in the early-19th century, is constructed of clapboards. It has served many purposes, including possibly a residence. Today it is home to the Jefferson County Public Schools’ Blackacre Environmental Education field office.
The Road that passes in front of the farmhouse was once a main road for the district. Some of the original quarried stones are still visible behind the Stone Cottage.