Patrick and I recently spent a week in New York City, and the number one place friends recommended to us was Fraunces Tavern, located at the southern tip of Manhattan. It is here that George Washington, among many others instrumental to the American Revolution not only dined, but made critical decisions to our young nation.

What is today Fraunces Tavern, started out as a home, built in 1719 by the De Lancey family. After a brief life as a dance school that also hosted many grand balls, it was sold to Samuel Fraunces in 1762, and referred to as Queen’s Head Tavern. Soon, the tavern would become a gathering place filled with good food and musicians, where local clubs and organizations could be found hosting meetings.

As tensions mounted between America and England, Fraunces Tavern got caught in the crosshairs, literally, with a cannonball crashing through the roof from the British HMS Asia. In the spring and early summer of 1776, the New York Provincial Congress met at the Tavern, only to be driven out when the British began occupying New York. Fraunces himself fled to New Jersey, leaving the tavern in the hands of his son-in-law, Charles Campbell. But Fraunces was later captured, taken back to New York, and forced to work as a cook to General James Robertson. However his role would allow him to learn secrets and pass the information to the patriots.

In October of 1781, the British surrendered at Yorktown, and New York became a bustling hub of a new nation. Amid the war, many enslaved Black people joined the British, and when the war was over, the Birch Trials were held within Fraunces Tavern to determine the fate of the Black Loyalists. The trail would result in the largest emancipation of Black people prior to the Civil War.

On November 25, 1783, the British finally troops left New York, and Americans celebrated what would become known as Evacuation Day. A parade was held and New York Governor George Clinton hosted a dinner at Fraunces Tavern to mark the occasion.

As the war formally drew to a close, George Washington bid farewell to his officers in the Long Room of Fraunces Tavern on December 4, 1783. The event was documented in Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge’s memoirs (and on display at Fraunces Tavern), and notes tearful soldiers embracing their leader. The event became a cornerstone to the tavern’s historic worth. Even with the war over, the tavern continued to be central to the birth of America, with Fraunces leasing the tavern to the Confederation Congress, including the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of War, and the Treasury from 1785 to 1788. Meanwhile, George Washington had become so fond of Frauces’ food, he asked Fraunces to join him as his Presidential Steward, where he used his culinary skills to provide food for the First Family.

I especially loved the wallpaper in the rooms that represented the government departments. Designed by French company Zuber & Cie in 1852, the wood block printed wallpaper was installed at Fraunces Tavern in 1972.

When the government bodies vacated, the building returned to serving food and drink. Throughout the 1800s the location would become a boarding house, later a grocery store, and at the turn of the 20th century, it was slated for demolition. But the City of New York, and various historical groups came together, and in 1904 the Sons of the Revolution purchased it. Restoration took several years, and on December 4, 1907, the anniversary of Washington’s farewell address, Fraunces Tavern reopened as a restaurant and museum.

In 1965 Fraunces Tavern became a New York City Landmark, and a little over ten years later, in 1977, the entire block became a Historic District as part of the National Register of Historic Places.

Today the museum, located on the second and third floors, safe guards the Long Room, along with many incredible artifacts, including a lock of George Washington’s hair, letters written by Nathan Hale, and Marquis de Lafayette, and much more. There is also a 30 minute video showcasing the history of the tavern, which I highly recommend.

Dine where George Washington did and gaze at incredible Revolutionary War artifacts at 54 Pearl Street in New York City. While the tavern has late night hours, the museum does not. So if you wish to visit the museum, please take note of their hours on their website. Patrick and I spent roughly an hour and a half in the museum, including watching the video.

Sources
“History” Fraunces Tavern Museum.
Plaques on site.