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Fraunces Tavern

Fraunces Tavern (9)

If you are a tourist who notices the details, as well as having a drink at the Fraunces Tavern Restaurant at 54 Pearl Street, you must also see its museum. We recommend it. 

Initially, Fraunces Tavern was built in 1719 as an elegant residence for Stephan Delancey, one of the wealthy families who contended for leadership of colonial New York. In 1762, the Delancey family sold the house to Samuel Fraunces, who opened a tavern that was, strangely enough, a meeting point for the so-called Sons of Liberty in the years before the War of Independence.

A little later, George Washington gave a speech here to his officers to celebrate the departure of the British. After the war, a great feast was held in the Long Room with the future president and officers, and when New York was the capital of the United States, this space was rented to house different government departments such as Foreign Affairs or Treasury. This tavern is pure history.

In 1904, the Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York acquired the premises and hired the architect William Mersereau to restore the building to its colonial appearance and, just three years later, to open the Fraunces Tavern Museum. Nowadays, the museum includes four 19th century buildings as well as the original building, which dates back to the 18th century.

Inside you can relive all of the events witnessed here through paintings, objects, recreations and other pieces. If you are travelling with children, see their website for information on their events, as they often hold interesting family workshops, lectures and concerts.

Thanks to its privileged location, this tavern has managed to survive the frenetic pace of the city and its constructive fever and has witnessed unprecedented historical events first hand. Even the roof was affected by the odd British cannon shot. But Fraunces Tavern is a survivor.

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