Ware–Hardwick Covered Bridge

Ware–Hardwick Covered Bridge
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Ware-Hardwick Covered Bridge
Location	Hardwick, Massachusetts
Coordinates
Built	1886
Architect	Unknown
Architectural style	Other
NRHP Reference #	86001006
Added to NRHP	May 8, 1986

Ware–Hardwick Covered Bridge is a historic bridge on Old Gilbertville Road and Bridge Street in Ware and Hardwick, Massachusetts. It was built in 1886 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. The bridge is managed by a joint committee of the two towns.

The wooden structure crosses the Ware River at Bridge Street in the Gilbertville district of Hardwick and Old Gilbertville Road in Ware. Nearly 150 feet (46 metres) across, it is one of a few 19th century covered bridges that remain in the state. The bridge incorporates a wooden single-web, double-chord lattice truss theme inspired by the 19th-century architect Ithiel Town, a Connecticut native. Unlike other bridges on the Ware River, this bridge survived a major flooding event in 1936.

The state ordered the structure closed in August 2002 after an inspection concluded the bridge could not bear any more weight, due in part to insect infestation. The limit at the time was 6 short tons (5.4 t). Now, there is no weight limit, according to the state Department of Transportation. In October 2010 the bridge reopened upon the completion of a $1.9 million reconstruction and restoration. Wood taken from the bridge was divided between the towns; the Ware Historical Commission planned to use Ware's share of the wood to recreate other historic buildings.