The oldest house in Manhattan spent one night this summer doing what it did more than two centuries ago: pouring drinks for a crowd. On Saturday, July 25, the Morris-Jumel Mansion in Washington Heights held Tavern Night, an after-hours fundraiser built around the years when the historic house operated as a tavern, inn, and stagecoach stop.
The event, first reported by Harlem World Magazine, ran from 6 to 9 p.m. at 65 Jumel Terrace and kicked off the mansion’s America 250 programming, the nationwide run-up to the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding. Proceeds go to the mansion’s exhibitions, educational programming, and preservation.
After the Revolutionary War, the Morris-Jumel Mansion operated as a tavern, inn, and stagecoach stop between roughly 1783 and 1810, feeding and watering travelers moving through the top of Manhattan. One of those diners was George Washington, who came back to eat at the property in 1789 and 1790. That’s the same house that had served as Washington’s headquarters during the war itself, which makes it one of the few buildings in the country to have been both a general’s command post and, a few years later, the spot where he stopped for dinner.
Built in 1765, the mansion is Manhattan’s oldest surviving residence and has sat through more than 260 years of city history. Tavern Night leaned into the tavern years specifically, with live tavern music, colonial games, food pop-ups, interactive experiences, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks meant to conjure late-eighteenth-century New York.
“The Morris-Jumel Mansion has always been a place where history happened, but one of the most fascinating chapters in its story is often unknown,” said Danielle Gaita, the mansion’s acting director of education, public programs, and visitor services. “After serving as George Washington’s headquarters during the Revolutionary War, the Mansion became a tavern where travelers gathered to eat, drink, exchange ideas, and celebrate.”
Gaita said the pitch works whether or not you care about the history. “Tavern Night brings that history back to life in a way that’s exciting – whether you’re a lifelong history enthusiast or simply looking for one of New York City’s most unique summer experiences,” she said. “Every ticket sold also helps preserve this extraordinary landmark and ensures its stories continue to inspire future generations.”
The drinks and food came from local names. The lineup included Aaron Burr Cidery, Other Half Brewing Co., The Wandering Shuckers Co., Charles Pan-Fried Chicken, and Buunni Coffee, along with additional community partners. Musicians Regan Hicks and Lou Barker played traditional tavern songs and fiddle music.
Tickets moved fast. VIP tickets sold out weeks ahead of the event, according to Harlem World Magazine, with general admission going for $50 and holding on while supplies lasted. The night was open to guests 21 and older, and advance registration was required because the mansion couldn’t guarantee anything at the door. The event’s Eventbrite page lists the details.
Featured image: Via Wikimedia Commons
