History may not sound like an appealing subject to some folks, but finding out the history of something fun and interesting can be an easy way to learn about life and events in the past.
Today's history lesson is about places that played parts in governmental affairs, community issues and public events. Our subject? Taverns and pubs.
While some may think that establishments such as these might be an uncommon location for such serious life topics, in history, local taverns and pubs were places where things got done and plans were made, and there's speculation that even some laws could have been written in the local hangouts.
The taverns of American colonial times seem to be comparable to the bars of the 20th century. They provided a relaxed, entertaining atmosphere favorable for socializing. A trip to the local tavern could nearly ensure relaxation, a hot meal and a cool drink, and for travelers, a place to sleep. Taverns were especially popular in colonial Williamsburg, where at one time there were a total of 20 taverns. It is said that politicians of Williamsburg frequented taverns to debate matters without the influence of a royal governor.
The Old Tavern located in historic Grafton, Vt., is one of the oldest operating taverns and inns in America, having opened its doors in 1801. As one of the oldest of these establishments in the United States, it enjoys a rich heritage that goes back as far as 12 years after America's independence.
While The Old Tavern was popular among the literary set (Rudyard Kipling was a visitor in 1892) and was the "in" place for local social events, it still was basically a commercial hotel. There were notable exceptions to the ordinary traveler who knew it was a good place to stop. Ulysses S. Grant came to The Old Tavern on Dec. 19, 1867, while campaigning for his first term as president. The Old Tavern has played host to other famous guests: Daniel Webster, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson and Ralph Waldo Emerson.
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After serving a customer a drink, Bartender Pam Boschetti, demonstrates the age old bartender tradition of being a good listner.
Paul Crate / News Chief |
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The Tavern in Abingdon, Va., is the oldest of Abingdon's historic buildings, having been built in 1779. It was used from its beginning as a tavern and overnight inn for stagecoach travelers. This tavern reports hosting such guests as Henry Clay; Louis Philippe, King of France; U.S. President Andrew Jackson; and Pierre Charles L'Enfant, designer of Washington D.C.
Even in the olden days, taverns were much more than a local drinking establishment. In addition to being used for political platforms, finding a bed for your head and searching out companionship, the first post office on the western slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains was located in the east wing of this Virginia tavern, and during the past two centuries, The Tavern also has served as a bank, bakery, general store, cabinet shop, barber shop, private residence, antique shop and restaurant. It even served as a hospital for wounded Confederate and Union soldiers during the Civil War.
Taverns were vital to communities, and inns, by contrast, generally were built to accommodate travellers, but where did pubs come from? Most research tells us that pubs came from the medieval period. Alehouses were perhaps their original name, and they likely were ordinary dwelling places where the householder served home-brewed ale and beer. It is said that taverns sold wine, and since wine was far more expensive than ale or beer, taverns catered to richer patrons who could afford it. They generally were restricted to towns and were hugely outnumbered by alehouses. All three - the tavern, inn and pub - were social centres, but the larger inns had more scope for events, most commonly built with galleries and courtyards.
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Katie Chambers, left, and friends Linda and Joe Gehrki unwind and enjoy conversation at the Shamrock Pub and Grille.
Paul Crate / News Chief |
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The pubs of today still function at their "community" level and are very much part of the social fabric. The pub is a place to meet friends and neighbors, a focal point for various community activities, and a source of local information and contacts.
John Tennick, owner of Tanners Pub at 325 W. Central Ave., Winter Haven says that although alcohol is served in pubs, a pub is not a bar, but rather a place of great importance. Originally from Chichester, England, Tennick says that there is a difference in the pubs of England and the American pubs.
"In England, we have independent breweries, and the pubs serve their own brew." Tennick says. "That's illegal here."
Although laws in the United States restrict making and selling your own concoction of liquid spirits, Tanners serves a host of beverages from around the globe.
"We have everything from the English Woodpecker Cider to the Irish Harp, which is a lager, and we also have the most popular beer in all of Europe, the Belgian Ale," he says.
Tennick says that when he was growing up in Chichester, the population of residents was 40,000, and the number of pubs was 700, all in a seven-mile radius.
Tennick's wife, Debbie, says that she visited her first "real" pub, 15 years ago when she and John traveled to England. Debbie Tennick also got schooled in a different pub culture on her first visit.
"They serve their beer at cellar temperature, and I took mine outside to chill it," Debbie Tennick says.
She says she got a lesson in how the English conduct their service to customers in their pubs, and found out that there are some gender issues.
"I ordered a pint, but they brought me a half pint. I told them, 'No. I want a full pint,' " she says.
John Tennick explained that it just wasn't looked on as "lady like" for a woman to order a full pint of beer for herself in a pub in England. Despite the English-American pub difference, the Tennicks return annually to England and make a journey out of their visits to the various British pubs.
"Everybody knows everyone. They go after work every day. They take their kids, they take their dogs. It's a way of life," Debbie Tennick says.
John Tennick says that growing up in England, going to the pub was a family event.
"The children would sit outside in the garden with their bottle of Coke and their bag of crisps, while the adults were socializing inside," he says.
He remembers pubs having big open fireplaces, benches all the way around the walls of the pubs and everyone bringing their unleashed dogs inside with them.
The Tennicks say that Tanners is "the new pub." They say they couldn't survive on just 15 regulars stopping by for one drink, but must serve what people want to eat to really pay the bills.
"That's part of the daily routine in England, but not here," John Tennick says. "We sell as many escargots as we do cheese fries. Years ago, I just never would have believed it."
Another English pub operator in East Polk County is Mark Pearson, owner of The Shamrock Pub at 43392 U.S. Highway 27 near Davenport.
His establishment is known for welcoming the vacationers from European countries. He serves food familiar to them, like bangers and mash, shepherd's pie and fish and chips, to enjoy while they watch their favorite soccer match, live from England. The pub also serves baked beans for breakfast, familiar to the British, as well as black and white pudding.
"It gives them a sense of home," Pearson says.
"The foreigners don't really have an outlet for international soccer, so they come here," says the manager of The Shamrock Pub, Michael Ruopoli. He says there is always a sense of camaraderie, especially when teams like Manchester United or Chelsea play.
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Also enjoying conversation and a round of beer are, from left, Bradley Akerman, Tim Gahagen, and Terri and Toni Tollakson.
Paul Crate / News Chief |
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"People high-five people at other tables, and clank beer mugs to people in the place that they don't even know," Ruopoli says. "They feel comfortable here. They even all sing and chant the same songs."
The American employees at The Shamrock Pub say they have all learned about different cultures.
"You learn different techniques of place settings and respect," says employee Rebecca Popson.
Although many people might think a pub is a place of porcelain mugs full of beer being served by busty wenches, today's pub is a place for good times, Karaoke singing, games of darts and beer pong - all helping to fill that human need for connection.
The spirit and history of taverns and pubs are kept alive by a genealogical society known as The Flagon and Trencher Society: Descendants of Colonial Tavern Keepers. Some of the objectives of the society include the collection of information concerning taverns, tavern keepers, tavern customs, recipes, menus and all other data that may pertain to colonial taverns and their keepers. Membership is open to people, either male or female, who can prove direct descent from a person who conducted a tavern, inn, "ordinary" or other type of hostelry prior to July 4, 1776, within the area that became the first 13 states. There is no age restriction for members and enrollment of children and grandchildren is strongly encouraged. Founded in 1963 by Kenn Stryker-Rodda, the membership total of this particular society of history buffs is close to 1,500 people today.
