America’s Oldest Restaurant Is a 350-Year-Old Tavern Just 40 Minutes From NYC — Once Known As “America’s Spy Prison”

Secret NY ^

[Impala64ssa]

In a tiny town called Tappan, NY sits the country's most revolutionary (and oldest) restaurant.

Step back in time without leaving the metro area: tucked away in Tappan, New York, just 40 minutes from Manhattan, sits The ’76 House — America’s oldest restaurant.

Though today it’s known for its Sunday brunches, candlelit dinners, and live music by the fire, this Revolutionary-era tavern was once the stage for one of the nation’s most dramatic spy stories.

During the height of the war, The ’76 House served as the makeshift prison of Major John André, the British officer who conspired with Benedict Arnold to surrender West Point to the enemy.

His capture — and eventual execution — shifted the course of the Revolution.

The episode earned The ’76 House its lasting nickname: “America’s Spy Prison.”

The tavern’s walls also hold memories of George Washington himself, who dined here alongside Continental generals and his provisioner Samuel Fraunces.

Far from just a pitstop for soldiers, the inn became a hub of revolutionary planning, a gathering place for patriots, and a witness to history that could have easily unfolded differently.

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TOPICS: History
KEYWORDS: georgewashington; majorandr; majorandre; ny; revolutionarywar

[Impala64ssa]

According to one historical account George Washington stopped at the tavern while on his way to Philadelphia. When he left to continue his journey, literally minutes later British forces showed up at the tavern intending to capture Washington and summarily execute him on the spot. Gen. Washington literally dodged a bullet.

Sickening that some 250 later here we are, too many of our, I hate saying this, fellow citizens in NYC and elsewhere are trying to do what the British couldn't accomplish.

[blackdog]

https://goreadingberks.com/widow-finneys-town-reading-pa/

[blackdog]

They beat my aunts place. Not by much though.

[SunkenCiv]

https://www.wayside.org/

Step back in time and experience more than 300 years of history and hospitality at The Wayside Inn® in Sudbury, Massachusetts. Come enjoy our grounds, dine or stay in our historic inn, participate in our programs and activities to learn about the early inhabitants of the landscape; about the How(e) family who settled and farmed the land, operated the Inn, and who fought in the wars for independence; about poets and artists; and about Henry Ford and his vision to create a living history museum here. The Wayside Inn continues to inspire new tales.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayside_Inn_Historic_District#/media/File:Marker_at_the_Wayside_Inn.jpg

[NeverTyranny]

Agree. Despicable. But they will not win.

Thanks for posting. A very interesting piece of American History. I would love to visit the ‘76 House. Maybe one day.

[V_TWIN]

In 6 months it’ll be a mosque if mamdani has anything say about it.

[SunkenCiv]

76 House History
10:36
PowerPage Admin
28 subscribers
1,336 views
June 22, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qei_CbS_9DY

[SunkenCiv]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_’76_House#History

[C19fan]

I grew up close to that tavern and ate there a few times. They have kept the colonial era ambiance.

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

Tappan, NY

Kitchen appliances.

[Jamestown1630]

I always wanted to go to City Tavern in Philadelphia; I liked watching Walter Staib’s cooking/history show.

But I think City Tavern was one of the restaurants destroyed by Covid.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

If I could travel back in time, I’d love to drop into the taverns where the American Revolution was hatched, especially in Boston and the surrounding area.

[ChinaGotTheGoodsOnClinton]

I wonder if it was featured in Turn: Washington’s Spy’s on Netflix.

[jonatron]

The "'76 House," also known as "The Old '76 House," is a Colonial-era structure built as a home and tavern in Tappan, New York, in 1754 by Casparus Mabie, a merchant and tavern-keeper.

[tcox4575]

https://www.frauncestavern.com/

A related tavern in NYC.

[Red6]

Saved on my maps.

When I head to NY, it’ll get a visit.

[Red6]

Don’t let our prohibitionist friends see this.

They’ll try to petition and protest to have this place sell milk-shakes instead of beer.

Times change, they don’t need to sell the “Devil’s brew” today.

[Miami Rebel]

I’ve been there once, but the historic restaurant I’ve dined at dozens of times is Fraunces Tavern, which dates back to 1719.

It was around the corner from my office downtown on Water Street and it was a favorite of mine for lunch or drinks.

[woodbutcher1963]

There are a few of these old taverns in MA, RI, PA that all claim George Washington slept/ate here.

The Warren Tavern in Charlestown, MA was a favorite of Ben Franklin. It it right on the Freedom Trail from the USS Constitution to the Old North Church and Paul Revere’s house.

The Bull Run in Shirley, MA has not changed much since the 1800s when it was a stop on the stagecoach route from Boston to Albany.

The White Horse Tavern in Newport, RI was a stopping place for GW. It dates to 1780.

The Union Oyster House in downtown Boston claims to be the oldest restaurant in Boston.
JFK has a booth upstairs.
Ted Kennedy had a bar stool.

[Dr. Franklin]

According to one historical account George Washington stopped at the tavern while on his way to Philadelphia. When he left to continue his journey, literally minutes later British forces showed up at the tavern intending to capture Washington and summarily execute him on the spot. Gen. Washington literally dodged a bullet.

That's an unlikely story since it is far out of the way for someone travelling between NYC and Philadelphia.