It is bounded roughly by South, Exchange, Main, Pleasant, Broad, School and Grove Streets.

The Barre common was laid out in 1792, and has been a focus of the town's civic life ever since, and is flanked by a number of high-quality Greek Revival buildings, as well as those in other styles.

Facing the northernmost block, across Park Street, is the Barre Congregational Church, a fine example of Greek Revival architecture built in 1849.

Other prominent examples of Greek Revival design facing the common include the Lawrence-Holman-Graziani House, built in 1836 and attributed to Elias Carter, which features a six-column temple portico.

[2] The common was used as a militia training ground, and was also the site of the town pound (where stray animals could be corralled).