Hanover Tavern
Encyclopedia
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 dinning options provided by the Hanover Tavern Restaurant, open daily for lunch and dinner.
Hanover Courthouse, Virginia
Hanover Courthouse is a census-designated place in and the county seat of Hanover County, Virginia, United States. Hanover Courthouse is located at the junction of U.S. Route 301 and State Route 54 south of the Pamunkey River. While historically and technically known as Hanover Courthouse, the...
and Hanover County, Virginia
Hanover County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 86,320 people, 31,121 households, and 24,461 families residing in the county. The population density was 183 people per square mile . There were 32,196 housing units at an average density of 68 per square mile...
, 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
Hanover County Courthouse
Hanover County Courthouse, built in 1735, is an historic courthouse located in Hanover Court House, Virginia. In 1763, Patrick Henry, who lived and practiced law in Hanover County, argued the case of the Parson's Cause, a case involving King George III's requirement that Virginians pay taxes to...
is an operating courthouse, the third oldest still in use in the United States. Located along what is now historic U.S. Route 301
U.S. Route 301
U.S. Route 301 is a spur of U.S. Route 1 running through the South Atlantic States. It currently runs 1,099 miles from Glasgow, Delaware at U.S. Route 40 to Sarasota, Florida. It passes through the states of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida...
, its site was adjacent to the original Shelton Tavern. Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry was an orator and politician who led the movement for independence in Virginia in the 1770s. A Founding Father, he served as the first and sixth post-colonial Governor of Virginia from 1776 to 1779 and subsequently, from 1784 to 1786...
lodged there during his arguing the Parson's Cause
Parson's Cause
The "Parson's Cause" was an important legal and political dispute in the Colony of Virginia often viewed as an important event leading up to the American Revolution...
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
Barksdale Theatre
Barksdale Theatre in Richmond, Virginia, United States is Central Virginia’s first nonprofit professional performing arts organization, founded in 1953 at the historic Hanover Tavern by Tom Carlin, Stewart Falconer, David 'Pete' Kilgore, Priscilla Kilgore, Muriel McAuley and Pat Sharp...
. It was the first performing arts organization in Virginia to seat integrated audiences. The Barksdale Theatre Group still performs regularly at the Tavern, with dinning options provided by the Hanover Tavern Restaurant, open daily for lunch and dinner.