The Hanover Tavern in Hanover Courthouse, Virginia and Hanover County, Virginia, is one of the oldest taverns in the United States. The first tavern was licensed at the site beginning in 1733.
The Hanover County Courthouse is an operating courthouse, the third oldest still in use in the United States. Located along what is now historic U.S. Route 301, its site was adjacent to the original Shelton Tavern. Patrick Henry lodged there during his arguing the Parson's Cause at the courthouse. After a damaging fire, the tavern was rebuilt in 1791 and named the Hanover Tavern.
The present tavern building, restored by the Hanover Tavern Foundation, dates from 1791. In 1953, the tavern was adapted as the first dinner theatre in America; the Barksdale Theatre. It was the first performing arts organization in Virginia to seat integrated audiences. The Barksdale Theatre Group still performs regularly at the Tavern, with dining options provided by the Hanover Tavern Restaurant, open daily for lunch and dinner.
Famous quotes containing the words hanover and/or tavern:
“Hamelin Town’s in Brunswick,
By famous Hanover city;”
—Robert Browning (1812–1889)
“At a tavern hereabouts the hostler greeted our horse as an old acquaintance, though he did not remember the driver.... Every man to his trade. I am not acquainted with a single horse in the world, not even the one that kicked me.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)