OUR STORY
When Nicholas and Penny Hamourgas were preparing to send their only child, Penelope off to college, they thought about how they would “combat” their impending empty nest syndrome. With their shared passions for music and history, and their experience in the bar and nightlife industry, the opportunity to purchase the historic Worthen House was the perfect answer. Imagine their surprise when, on the day of their grand opening in December 2002, Penny discovered she was pregnant - despite having been told she could not have any more children. It’s a story the family still laughs about to this day!
Nicholas passed away in April 2013, and Penelope has since joined the family business. The mother-daughter team loves working together to serve all guests of the Worthen House.
We hope, with the company of our patrons, to continue to shape the Worthen's future while preserving its long-lasting legacy.
Our goal is to provide a warm, comfortable and inviting atmosphere where people gather with friends to escape reality and their everyday stresses by stepping back in time. Whether this is your first visit or you are a longtime “Worthener,” our objective is to make your experience memorable each and every time you join us.
The Historic Worthen House is Lowell’s oldest tavern and restaurant. Visitors step into the past, dining under a pressed tin ceiling, in a space once occupied by the likes of Edgar Allen Poe, Jack Kerouac, Jimmy Breslin and Ed McMahon. A beautifully restored, pulley-driven fan system - one of only four in the United States and the only existing set in its original location in the country - can be turned on at a patron’s request. In its early days, the fan was propelled by steam and served to keep flies off the dry goods. The intricate series of belts and pulleys each help operate the next decorative paddle fan. In its early days, the fan was propelled by steam; today it is powered by electricity.
The work of masons and carpenters is reflected in the Worthen’s exterior. The ground floor, constructed of brick, is defined by a central entrance flanked by two large, multi-panel windows. The second story façade on Worthen Street has been restored to wood clapboards, replacing metal shingles and dilapidated wood, and features six windows and three gabled dormers on the front slope of the roof. A stuccoed brick wall hides the exterior southern wall on the ground floor. This is a fragment from Hadley’s stable, which formerly occupied the site that is now a parking lot. All of the windows have been restored.
A 1989 restoration revealed old bottles, dishes and coins now used in the interior décor. The bar and floor, which had been sinking, were raised almost two feet and the mahogany bar itself was restored to its former glory. The pressed tin ceiling on the first floor, late nineteenth century bar and the system of belt-linked ceiling fans are a nod to the building’s history. It is said that a clever hiding spot in the attic may have protected run-away slaves, perhaps a way station in the Underground Railroad.
O’Donnell remodeled the building, creating a tin ceiling and bar, and in 1898, opened the original “Worthen House.” It was used as a tavern and hotel until Prohibition. During Prohibition, the city directories listed many occupants, including “Mathew J Stowell Beverages,” “Arthur J. Sency Soft Drinks,” “John D. Shines Restaurant” and “Arthur J. Turcotte Real Estate.” One or more of these businesses could have maintained the tavern’s traditional use. This is evidenced by a piece of paneling that when removed, reveals a secret hiding spot for various bottles of spirits. This panel is located behind the bar on the right side, just above an old built-in icebox. This era lasted from 1924 through 1933. From 1933 until 1941, the building was known as Adelard N. Gerard’s Restaurant. The “Old Worthen” name was applied to the restaurant in 1942. The term "old" was commonly applied to many proper names after Prohibition.
Beginning as a neighborhood Irish bar with O’Donnell in 1888, people from all walks of life now frequent the Worthen. Our visitors are students, professionals, artists, writers, and politicians. Artists and creatives are major players in the recent history. In the past, patrons have included famous faces including Jack Kerouac, Allan Ginsberg, Gregory Corso, Jimmy Breslin and Ed McMahon. Inside the walls, memorabilia reflects some of Lowell’s famous and infamous.
Bonus fun facts:
A favorite bar of Edgar Allen Poe, who visited frequently and is rumored to have written some of “The Raven” within its walls
Houses the only pulley driven fan system in its original location in the United States
When removed, a piece of paneling behind the bar reveals the secret hiding spot of various bottles of spirits dating back to the prohibition era. Ask your bartender!
Rumored that the friendly ghost of Matthew can be heard and seen throughout the building
Historic Timeline:
1832: Site purchased by Henry C. Johnson and Hiram Nichols from Locks and Canal Company.
1834: “West India Goods Store” was erected, following the city’s stipulation that a building be no more than 12’ in height, constructed of brick or stone, with a slate or other incombustible roof.
1847: A pair of carpenters, Stephen Hodgkins and Edward Gannett purchase the building and add a second floor. Workrooms occupy the first floor and the pair reside on the upper floors.
1880s: The Gannett family continued to own the building throughout this time. Rear additions were completed and thus the unique triangular shape of the building was realized.
1889: John O’Donnell, a liquor dealer, purchased the building, transforming it from a dry goods store to a Hotel and Tavern.
1933-1941: Building known as Adelard N. Gerard’s Restaurant.
1942: Became known as “The Old Worthen.”
1989: Purchased by Manny Silva, who not only restored the building, but returned it to its name, “Worthen House.” The restoration revealed many interesting objects hidden within a panel behind the bar, including old liquor bottles, dishes and coins.
December 2001: The Hamourgas family purchased the historic Worthen House, welcoming guests with delicious food, fine spirits and a friendly atmosphere.