On this site in 1773, Seth Heywood, one of Gardner's original settlers, built his home. Later, he was one of the four men who circulated the petition for the incorporation of the town of Gardner. In 1826, Seth Heywood's grandson began the manufacturing of chairs on this site, initiating the construction of chairs on an industrial scale within Gardner. Gardner's town hall was built on this site in 1859, and the building was destroyed by fire in 1944.