Fraunces Tavern
Hangout of Sons Of Liberty; Hosted
Washington, Several Cabinet Departments
Much of the Revolutionary history of New York revolved around
Fraunces Tavern. It was one of the meeting places of the Sons of Liberty in the pre-war
years.
It had something of an odd beginning for what would become a patriot shrine. It was built
as a mansion home by Stephen De Lancey, of the prominent merchant family who would
eventually lead the loyalist faction in provincial politics in the pre-revolution years.
During the tea crisis of 1765, a British captain who tried to bring tea into New York was
forced to give an apology to the public at Fraunces Tavern. The patriots, dressed as
Indians as had the participants in the earlier Tea Party in Boston, then dumped his tea
into the harbor.
In August of 1775, Americans took possession of cannons from the Battery at the tip of
Manhattan and exchanged fire with a boatload of British soldiers. They retaliated by
firing a 32-gun broadside on the city, sending a cannon ball through the roof of Fraunces
Tavern.
When the war was won and the Americans had re-occupied the city, it was at Fraunces Tavern
that hosted Washington and his officers in a victory banquet. On Dec. 4, 1783, Washington
was again at Fraunces Tavern to say farewell to his officers in the Long Room.
Saving America from the fate of many republics that turned quickly to military
dictatorship, Washington quickly resigned his post and returned to civilian life.
Because his actions were in keeping with the example of Cincinnati, the Roman general who
returned to his plow after achieving victory, his officers created the Society of the
Cincinnati, which has ties to the organization that still owns the building.
After the war, the tavern housed some offices of the Continental Congress as the country
struggled under the Articles of Confederation.
With the establishment of the Constitution and the inauguration of Washington as president
in 1789, Fraunces Tavern became the home of several government agencies, including the
departments of Foreign Affairs, Treasury and War.
The proprietor of the tavern, Samuel Franuces, was called "Black Sam." A number
of historians believe the nickname, and the fact that he was from the West Indies,
indicated that he was black. If so, he was one of the most prominent blacks involved in
the revolutionary cause.
Address: 54 Pearl Street.
Borough: Manhattan
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 12 noon - 5 p.m.
Closed Sunday and Monday
Phone: 212 425-1778.
Tours: Guilded tours for adult groups of 10 or more are available by
advance reservation only.
Admission: Adults, $3; students and seniors, $2; children six and
under, free.
Transportation: 4 or 5 Train to Bowling Green; 1 or 9 to South Ferry; 2
or 3 to Wall Street; N or R to Whitehall/South Ferry; J,M,Z, Broad Street. (From Golden
Hill, walk back to Federal Hall, then south on Broad Street to Pearl Street.)
Web site: www.FrauncesTavernMuseum.org
Area Map: