If these walls talk is both a common phrase and the partial name of the current exhibit at Fraunces Tavern/Museum. But should the building be able to utter words it could deliver a soliloquy on Manhattan’s role in the growth of a nation.
The 18th century was less than 20 years old when a member of the Delancey family, one of the colony’s most prestigious clans, built an elegant manor home at 54 Pearl St.
For the next 43 years it functioned as a family residence, dance assembly hall, offices and a warehouse. By 1763, Samuel (Black Sam) Fraunces bought the building, turned it into a tavern and honored King George III's wife, Charlotte, by naming it the Queen’s Head
Some modern historians claim the Jamaican born Fraunces was a black man, however, 18th century documents show him as a registered voter, a freemason and a member of Trinity Church all white enclaves at the time. But one fact without doubt was Fraunces' patriot stance when the stirrings of revolution came to New York. His tavern became a meeting place for men of the same mind. In 1774 the Sons of Liberty met at the tavern and plotted their own tea party, following the earlier example of Boston. In retaliation, a year later a British ship bombarded the city sending a cannonball sailing through the tavern’s roof.
Upon the occupation of British forces the tavern became the epicenter of espionage with spies both Loyalists and Americans listening and reporting.
Although the American victory occurred in 1781, the British remained in New York until 1783. Following their departure on December 4, 1783 an emotional George Washington, wearied after years at war, bid his loyal officers among them, Henry Knox and Alexander Hamilton, farewell.
When the new republic’s capital city was established in the city, the tavern housed federal offices.
With Fraunces’ permanent departure to Philadelphia the tavern changed owners and venue. For a time it was a boarding house and a saloon and suffered damaging fires. By the late 19th century a reconstruction was in progress during which souvenir seekers snatched up fragments of the original timbers.
Finally as the 20th century dawned concerned citizens, chiefly the Daughters of the American Revolution, started a committee, the City of New York exercised eminent domain and saved the building slated for demolition.
By 1904 the Sons of the Revolution bought the building and within three years had established a museum.
One hundred years later the museum thrives and the restaurant serves.
Chief among the museum’s objects is the John Ward Dunsmore Collection
Forty-five works by Dunsmore, a late 19th and early 20th century painter, illustrate important events of the Revolutionary War events like the Battle of Bunker Hill, Valley Forge and the Surrender at Yorktown.
Also in the replicated Long Room, site of the Farewell, exhibits include a panel from Washington’s inaugural coach as well as a lock of his hair and one of his famed false teeth.
To utilize your own teeth step into the restaurant where a luncheon pre-fixe three-course luncheon begins at $22.00. If time is an issue a take out service is also available.
Fraunces Tavern is also a site on the American Whiskey Trail.
A visit here allows you to take a bite out of history, and enjoy it!
For more information see: www.frauncestavernmuseum.org
The American Whiskey Trail South: seustravel.suite101.com/article.cfm/american_whiskey_trail
Whiskey Trail North:neustravel.suite101.com/article.cfm/american_whiskey_trail_awtnorth
Samuel Fraunces:historicalbiographies.suite101.com/article.cfm/samuel_fraunces
