The Old South Meeting House is one of the most iconic buildings in Boston and truly a historic American treasure. Although it is a museum today, it once echoed with exhortations from some of the most important orators of the revolutionary era and served as a crucial public meeting place for decades. So whether you…
Category: Historic Taverns, Homes & Buildings
Colonial Taverns and bars, historic houses, and famous buildings that are important to American history.
Old State House (Boston, MA)
One of the most iconic buildings along Boston’s Freedom Trail is the Old State House. This remarkable colonial-era structure has been at the center of Boston’s early history- from the tragic “Boston Massacre,” a historic reading of the Declaration of Independence, to simply serving as a symbol of colonial governance. Today, the Old State House…
John Paul Jones House (Portsmouth, NH)
Famed American naval officer John Paul Jones is most known for his raids along the coast of Whitehaven aboard USS Ranger and his exploits as captain of USS Bonhomme Richard (his defeat of HMS Serapis in the Battle of Flamborough Head is perhaps his biggest accomplishment). When he was not at sea fighting, he spent…
King George II Inn (Bristol, PA)
Nestled along the meandering Delaware River in Bristol, Pennsylvania is the charming King George II Inn. The long-standing tavern witnessed the birth of our nation, has welcomed numerous famous guests, and has persevered through 339 years of history to offer a unique dining experience to visitors. If you are looking for a fun and relaxing…
White Horse Tavern (Newport, RI)
White Horse Tavern is the oldest tavern in the United States of America and is a must visit if you ever find yourself in Newport, Rhode Island! As one of the most historic and iconic buildings in the City by the Sea, the tavern offers an authentic colonial experience and a wide variety of cocktails…
General Warren Inne (Malvern, PA)
The General Warren Inne in Malvern, Pennsylvania is a beautifully restored historic tavern that offers unique lodging, excellent cuisine, and a great history lesson. The tavern has served in a multitude of capacities over its 275 years of existence and even played a role in the American Revolution! If you are ever in Philadelphia or…
George Berkeley’s Whitehall (Middletown, RI)
Middletown, Rhode Island of the early 1700s painted quite the pastoral scene- it was almost entirely farmland, with small farm houses and barns sparsely dotting the landscape. This rural lifestyle was lived out of necessity by farmers, who used the nearby port town of Newport to ship their product. But some were drawn to Middletown…
Publick House Historic Inn (Sturbridge, MA)
Sturbridge, Massachusetts is a beautiful historic town that is a favorite of local New Englanders and travelers alike. From Old Sturbridge Village (New England’s largest living history museum), the quaint shops and antique stores, to the Publick House Historic Inn, Sturbridge is packed with American history and has plenty to explore! History In 1771, Colonel…
Ye Olde Tavern (West Brookfield, MA)
Proudly sitting on Main Street in historic West Brookfield, Massachusetts, Ye Olde Tavern has served food and drink to travelers for 260 years. Ye Olde Tavern is considered one of the oldest taverns in the United States and has maintained a colonial charm while offering a modern dinner menu and bar scene to locals and…
John Brown House (Providence, RI)
The Brown family was one of the most prominent families of early Providence, Rhode Island. They were merchants, statesmen and community advocates who worked to better their city and their nation (although their involvement in the slave trade has been a horrendous blight upon the family name). John Brown and his brothers were instrumental in…
Providence Athenaeum
Despite the prevalence and normalcy of books in our society today, they have not always been accessible to the average American. In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was usually only the well-educated and wealthy that owned books (a young Abraham Lincoln walked miles to borrow a book); therefore, communities often rallied together to create…
Trinity Church (Newport, RI)
Perhaps the most iconic image of a colonial townscape is the church spire that towers above the rest. As a symbol of the religion that early American communities often centered around, these churches served an important role in all aspects of the people’s lives. Trinity Church in Newport, Rhode Island is the quintessential New England…
Redwood Library & Athenaeum (Newport, RI)
The quaint coastal town of Newport, Rhode Island has a beautiful and unique history, marked by some of the oldest institutions in America. In fact, Newport’s Redwood Library and Athenaeum is the oldest purpose-built lending library in the United States! This unassuming building exudes a rich literary, art and educational history that is cherished by…
Old Powder House (Somerville, MA)
One of the more obscure, yet ancient buildings in Massachusetts is the Old Powder House in Somerville. With over 300 years of history, it pre-dates the United States and played a central role in the preceding months of the American Revolution. While it doesn’t take long to experience, the historic stone structure is worth the…
Jason Russell House (Arlington, MA)
April 19, 1775, is a date that will forever hold a place of supreme importance in American history and lore. The first shots on Lexington Green, the brave stand at Concord’s North Bridge and the redcoat’s bloody retreat towards Boston are all memories of that day; however, there is more to the story. In fact,…