Boswell's Tavern
Encyclopedia
Boswell's Tavern is an excellent example of a complete 18th century tavern in Virginia. Located near Gordonsville, Virginia
, the tavern is located at the intersection of present-day U.S. Route 15
and Virginia State Route 22
, the centerpiece of a village named after the tavern. The tavern was built in the mid-18th century, probably by Colonel John Boswell. The tavern was the site of a 1781 encampment by French forces during the American Revolutionary War
under the Marquis de Lafayette. The tavern was a frequent meeting place for notable Virginia figures, including Thomas Jefferson
, James Madison
and Patrick Henry
. A few colonial troops were captured at the tavern in March 1781 by British colonel Banastre Tarleton
in an attempt to capture Jefferson and to disrupt meetings of the Virginia legislature.
The tavern is a two-story three-bay frame building with prominent chimneys at the west end. The innkeeper's wing, originally 1-1/2 stories, has been increased in height to two stories. A small gabled porch is a modern addition, as is a one-story addition to the innkeeper's quarters. The public section consists of two main rooms, a warming room, a bar and a stair hall. Portions of the original bar remain. The innkeeper's wing consists of a single large room on the main level with a sleeping area above.
Boswell's Tavern was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
on November 25, 1969. It is included in the Green Springs National Historic Landmark District
, encompassing the surrounding countryside and a number of important houses from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Gordonsville, Virginia
Gordonsville is a town in Louisa and Orange counties in the U.S. state of Virginia. The population was 1,496 at the 2010 census.-History:Nathaniel Gordon purchased in 1787 and in 1794, or possibly earlier, applied for and was granted a license to operate a tavern...
, the tavern is located at the intersection of present-day U.S. Route 15
U.S. Route 15
U.S. Route 15 is a -long United States highway, designated along South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York. The route is signed north–south, from U.S. Route 17 Alternate in Walterboro, South Carolina to Interstate 86 and NY 17 in Painted Post, New York.US...
and Virginia State Route 22
Virginia State Route 22
Virginia State Route 22 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. The state highway runs from U.S. Route 250 in Shadwell east to US 522 and SR 208 in Mineral. SR 22 is one of two primary east–west highways in Louisa County, connecting the county seat of Louisa with...
, the centerpiece of a village named after the tavern. The tavern was built in the mid-18th century, probably by Colonel John Boswell. The tavern was the site of a 1781 encampment by French forces during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
under the Marquis de Lafayette. The tavern was a frequent meeting place for notable Virginia figures, including Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
, James Madison
James Madison
James Madison, Jr. was an American statesman and political theorist. He was the fourth President of the United States and is hailed as the “Father of the Constitution” for being the primary author of the United States Constitution and at first an opponent of, and then a key author of the United...
and Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry was an orator and politician who led the movement for independence in Virginia in the 1770s. A Founding Father, he served as the first and sixth post-colonial Governor of Virginia from 1776 to 1779 and subsequently, from 1784 to 1786...
. A few colonial troops were captured at the tavern in March 1781 by British colonel Banastre Tarleton
Banastre Tarleton
General Sir Banastre Tarleton, 1st Baronet, GCB was a British soldier and politician.He is today probably best remembered for his military service during the American War of Independence. He became the focal point of a propaganda campaign claiming that he had fired upon surrendering Continental...
in an attempt to capture Jefferson and to disrupt meetings of the Virginia legislature.
The tavern is a two-story three-bay frame building with prominent chimneys at the west end. The innkeeper's wing, originally 1-1/2 stories, has been increased in height to two stories. A small gabled porch is a modern addition, as is a one-story addition to the innkeeper's quarters. The public section consists of two main rooms, a warming room, a bar and a stair hall. Portions of the original bar remain. The innkeeper's wing consists of a single large room on the main level with a sleeping area above.
Boswell's Tavern was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on November 25, 1969. It is included in the Green Springs National Historic Landmark District
Green Springs National Historic Landmark District
Green Springs National Historic Landmark District is a national historic district in Louisa County, Virginia noted for its concentration of fine rural manor houses and related buildings in an intact agricultural landscape...
, encompassing the surrounding countryside and a number of important houses from the 18th and 19th centuries.
External links
- Boswell's Tavern at Journey Trough Hallowed Ground (National Park Service)
- Boswell's Tavern, Route 22 vicinity, Gordonsville vicinity, Louisa, VA at the Historic American Buildings SurveyHistoric American Buildings SurveyThe Historic American Buildings Survey , Historic American Engineering Record , and Historic American Landscapes Survey are programs of the National Park Service established for the purpose of documenting historic places. Records consists of measured drawings, archival photographs, and written...
(HABS) - Boswells Tavern, Smokehouse, Route 22 vicinity, Gordonsville vicinity, Louisa, VA at HABS