The Rider Tavern is the centerpiece of the Town of Charlton's Northside Historic District. Completed in 1799, the tavern is a well-documented Federal period inn that has been restored over the last 30 years by volunteers. Nearby are the town of Charlton's Number 2 Schoolhouse (also open for tours by appointment through the Charlton Historical Society, militia lot where General Lafayette reviewed the troops in 1824, and the boyhood home of Dr. William T. G. Morton, the first to publicly demonstrate the use of ether as an anesthetic.

The society is solely funded through private and corporate contributions as well as local grants. We do not receive any funding through local taxes. All contributions are tax deductible. We keep our membership dues low in order to include all that are interested. We rely on the generosity of those that can afford more to help us by including a tax-deductible contribution with their membership application. We would like to thank all of you who have contributed in the past and those of you who are considering it now! If you have ever thought about becoming a member of the Charlton Historical Society, this would be a great year to start. We look forward to meeting you at our next event.

Charlton Historical Society began in 1963. Our mission, To further the interest and appreciation of the history of the Town of Charlton, is completed through the preservation of historic documents and the restoration of the Rider Tavern and the Number 2 Schoolhouse.