The Black Tavern, also known as Healy's Inn, was built in 1803-1804 by Hezekiah Healy, son of Joseph Healy, the first male child born in Dudley. Located on the Boston-to-Hartford stagecoach road, it served as a halfway point and an important stop for travelers. Additions were built to the east and north of the main building in 1810 and 1830. During this period the building also served as the Healy family home, remaining so until the 1940's, when Nichols College purchased the property and used the tavern and converted barn as a guest house and resident student housing until the 1980's. The restored inn and barn are now owned and maintained by the Black Tavern Historical Society of Dudley and are listed on the Department of Interior's National Register of Historic Places.