Dozens of taverns dotted the Massachusetts landscape in the 18th-century to serve locals, travelers, and drovers alike. One such tavern that has lasted the test of time, particularly due to its historical significance, is Munroe Tavern. This iconic red public house was at the center of action on the afternoon of April 19, 1775, when British Lieutenant General Hugh Percy commandeered it as his headquarters and for use as a field hospital for wounded British soldiers. The tavern has been meticulously preserved and today, serves as a museum that offers the British perspective from that fateful day and much more!
History
The property that the Munroe Tavern occupies has been the site of a structure since at least the mid-1690s. This property has varied in size over the years, from 21 to even 50 acres at one time (primarily used for farming). While a tavern is believed to have been operated at the site as early as 1713, the earliest known portion of today’s tavern was built in 1735, which includes the two front rooms of the current structure. It’s name is derived from the owner during the 1770s: William Munroe. In 1770, William Munroe (1742 – 1827) purchased a “mansion house,” barn, other small structures, and 26 acres of land from John Buckman (of Buckman Tavern fame). In the fall of 1774, William acquired his own tavern license from the town of Lexington and began to operate a tavern in the building.
Of course, the most famous role that Munroe Tavern played in American history was on the afternoon of April 19, 1775. As exhausted British soldiers under Colonel Francis Smith and Major John Pitcairn desperately fought their way back towards Boston (after a generally unsuccessful raid on Concord), their hope of survival was almost spent; however, they were saved by the timely arrival of reinforcements from Boston. A fresh British brigade (to include artillery) under the command of the Lieutenant General Hugh (Earl) Percy arrived on the outskirts of Lexington, just as the retreating British soldiers stumbled into town. It was Percy’s artillery and fresh troops that stalled the British retreat and kept the swarming patriot militia at bay- for a few hours.
Upon arriving in Lexington around 2PM, General Percy commandeered Munroe Tavern to serve as his headquarters. Additionally, the tavern was used as a field hospital for wounded British soldiers- the first medical care any of them received that day. Furious British soldiers destroyed the liquor stores and much of the furniture inside the tavern and even started a fire, which was promptly extinguished. The most egregious act was the killing of John Raymond, the tavern caretaker (Colonel William Munroe was away serving in the militia on that historic day). While the horrors of war enveloped Munroe Tavern, a frightened Anna Munroe (William’s wife) and her kids hid in the nearby woods.
General Percy and the British soldiers occupied Munroe Tavern for approximately 1.5-2 hours. After wounded soldiers were bandaged and the exhausted troops had a chance to catch their breath, the combined force departed Lexington and pressed eastward towards the safety of Boston. In the wake of this sudden violence and destruction, Munroe Tavern and the Lexington community were left to pick up the pieces and bury their dead.
After the American Revolution, Munroe Tavern returned to serving the public. During the post-war period, the tavern was again thrust into the limelight when a very special guest visited. One of the most important events that took place here occurred on November 5, 1789, when President George Washington stopped by for dinner at Munroe Tavern during a visit to Lexington (one wonders what Washington thought and felt as he set eyes upon the sacred Lexington Green, where it all began).
President Washington’s visit to the tavern was, of course, a major source of pride for the Munroe family. In fact, it is said that following Washington’s visit, the daughters fought over who would keep the utensils and other items that the President had used or touched!
William Munroe continued to operate the tavern until 1820, when it was taken over by Jonas Munroe, who operated it until 1850 (beyond this time, it ceased to operate as a tavern). Jonas died in 1860 and the building was inherited by William Henry Munroe (his son). During the latter half of the 19th-century, William Henry rented out rooms of the former tavern, but maintained the tap room and lived in a bedroom upstairs. It was also during this time, specifically in 1875 during the centennial celebration of the events that took place in Lexington, that Munroe Tavern garnered a lot of interest due to its role on April 19, 1775, and due to President Washington’s dinner there in 1789 (it is recorded that hundreds visited the tavern on the 100th anniversary of Washington’s visit).
William Henry Munroe died in 1902 and nine years later, Munroe Tavern was acquired by the Lexington Historical Society and opened as a museum in 1911 (some furniture for the museum was donated by the Munroe family). In 1976, the tavern was added to the National Register of Historic Places and today, continues to operate as a museum that largely offers the British perspective of April 19, 1775 as well as some history of the Munroe family and the tavern itself.
Interesting Facts
- In 1798, a Masonic Hall was built onto the Munroe Tavern, which was used for Masonic meetings and for other general purposes (the addition was removed in 1860)
- A tea room operated at Munroe Tavern from 1911-1913, in order to serve those who traveled by the latest contraption: the automobile
- Lexington, Massachusetts remained an economic center and important travel stop until the mid-1840s, when nearby railroad connections made it nearly obsolete
Our Visit & Recommendations
Munroe Tavern (1332 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA 02420) is operated by the Lexington Historical Society and is available for tours on weekends during the spring and summer months, from 12PM – 4PM (for more information and updated schedules, please visit their website). Additionally, limited free parking is available behind the tavern.
The experience at Munroe Tavern begins with a short video about the events of April 19, 1775. Then, the guided-tour begins downstairs in what is now known as the “Percy Room,” due to General Percy’s use of the tavern as a headquarters and field hospital on April 19th. This room is furnished to look as it did when the British soldiers occupied the tavern, complete with bloody bandages, mannequins in British uniforms, and a medicine chest from the 1700s, which was owned by Edmund Munroe (who was killed at the Battle of Monmouth). This medicine chest is similar to what may have been used to treat British soldiers at Munroe Tavern. Additionally, there is an audio clip that the tour guide will play, which further describes the events from that fateful day.
The tour continues into the tap room, which is furnished to look as it would have in 1775. This room was likely used by British surgeons to treat wounded soldiers during the approximately two hour stay at Munroe Tavern- just imagine the carnage that this room may have witnessed in such a short time. The most remarkable artifact on display is the original 1775 tavern sign, which adorns the wall. This was the actual sign that hung from Munroe Tavern on April 19, 1775!
On the second floor, the tour offers a glimpse of what life was like for the family in the Munroe Bedroom. This bedroom was used by the Munroe family throughout the years and has a number of interesting pieces on display. One such item is a late 1840s painting of Anna Munroe, when she was in her 70s. Anna married a member of the Muzzey family from Lexington and eventually moved north into New Hampshire. In her later years, she returned to her hometown of Lexington. Thankfully, it was Anna and her granddaughter (Laura Muzzey Brigham) who gathered and maintained many Munroe family records and items. Underneath the painting of Anna is a small trunk from the late 1700s, which was owned by Lucinda Munroe. Lucinda was the third (and youngest) daughter of William Munroe, born in 1776. During President Washington’s visit, Lucinda was but 13 years old; however, she recalled helping out in the kitchen and she passed on many amusing stories from that famous dinner.
The last stop on the tour is known as the Washington Room, because it was the 2nd floor room that President Washington dined in during his visit on November 5, 1789. Just prior to entering this room, there is a cabinet that displays some incredible artifacts from that visit. Some items include the pewter plate that Washington used and even a large metal staple, which is believed to have been used by Washington to hitch his horse to a tree outside Munroe Tavern during his visit. Additionally, there is a lock of George Washington’s hair, which is said to have come from a mourning bracelet.
The Washington Room is adorned with a few family paintings, a beautiful tall (grandfather) clock, and furnished with a table and set of chairs to look as it may have when President Washington dined there. Incredibly, the actual chair that President Washington sat in while he ate dinner and was entertained at Munroe Tavern still exists and is on display in this room (note the considerable wear that the chair has- one wonders if the Munroe children and visitors proudly sat it in over the years).
Munroe Tavern is a remarkably well-preserved example of an 18th-century tavern; however, it is much more than that. The historic events that played out within its walls make a visit to Munroe Tavern an absolute must! While the tour does focus on the British perspective to a degree, it also offers a unique glance into the life of the Munroe family, the operation of a colonial tavern, and how the historic town of Lexington has embraced its historic significance and pastoral charm.
Source: Historic Structure Report, Munroe Tavern, Lexington, MA