McCrady's Tavern and Long Room
Encyclopedia
McCrady's Tavern and Long Room is a historic tavern complex located in downtown Charleston, South Carolina
, USA. Constructed in several phases in the second half of the 18th century, the tavern was a hub of social life in Charleston in the years following the American Revolution
. The tavern's Long Room, completed in 1788, was used for theatrical performances and banquets for the city's elite, and is the last of its kind in Charleston. McCrady's was added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 1982 for its architectural and political significance.
Edward McCrady (d. 1801), a Charleston barber and Revolutionary War veteran, purchased the tavern in 1778, and over the next decade expanded the tavern and constructed the Long Room. In 1791, the Society of the Cincinnati
hosted a banquet in the Long Room for President George Washington
, who was visiting the city. The building continued to function as a tavern and banquet hall throughout much of the first half of the 19th century, and later served as a warehouse and print shop. The building was restored to its late-18th century appearance in the 1980s, and currently houses McCrady's Restaurant.
McCrady's Long Room is a two-story brick structure measuring 75 feet (22.9 m) by 25 feet (7.6 m). The building's front facade faces Unity Alley, a narrow pedestrian alley connecting East Bay Street and State Street. The corridor on the southeast end of the Long Room adjacent to the front has been enclosed, and now serves as the complex's main entrance (the entrance to the main tavern building on East Bay is used as a private entrance for the current restaurant's "Chef's Room" guests). The Long Room building's first story consists of an arcade
open on the east side which originally housed stalls for horses. The Long Room building's main room, where banquets and performances were held, occupies most of the second story, and originally included a stage and a 16 feet (4.9 m) ceiling. The second story also included an anteroom and dressing room for performers.
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The lot now occupied by McCrady's Tavern was initially granted to a merchant named Jonathan Amory, who sold it in 1723. In subsequent decades, the lot was used for various commercial purposes. What is now the main tavern building had been constructed by 1767, when it was mentioned in a city survey. Edward McCrady, a Charleston barber, purchased the building in August 1778, and began using it as a tavern. Like many colonial taverns, McCrady's offered meals and lodging in addition to providing a venue for gathering and drinking.
During the American Revolution, McCrady served as a leader in Charleston's militia. When Charleston fell to the British in 1780, McCrady was arrested and taken to St. Augustine
, where he was held until 1781. McCrady eventually purchased lots adjacent to his tavern, allowing him to construct the Long Room, which served as a banquet hall and small-scale performance venue, in 1788. On May 4, 1791, the Charleston branch of the Society of the Cincinnati
hosted a banquet for President George Washington in McCrady's Long Room. The banquet was also attended by South Carolina governor Charles Pinckney
, several congressmen, and the mayor of Charleston.
After McCrady's death in 1801, the tavern changed hands several times. In 1884, it was converted into a warehouse, and in 1913, the Daggett Printing Company purchased the building for use as a print shop. In the 1970s, after the building had been abandoned for several years, it was added to the National Register and plans were made to restore it to its late-18th century appearance.
paneling and a Baccarat crystal
chandelier in what is now called the "Chef's Room." In 2010, the restaurant's chef, Sean Brock, was awarded the James Beard Foundation Award
for Best Chef Southeast. Sam Sifton
, a New York Times Food Editor, referenced McCrady's as one of the best restaurants outside of the "first tier" of American cities.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
, USA. Constructed in several phases in the second half of the 18th century, the tavern was a hub of social life in Charleston in the years following the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
. The tavern's Long Room, completed in 1788, was used for theatrical performances and banquets for the city's elite, and is the last of its kind in Charleston. McCrady's was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1982 for its architectural and political significance.
Edward McCrady (d. 1801), a Charleston barber and Revolutionary War veteran, purchased the tavern in 1778, and over the next decade expanded the tavern and constructed the Long Room. In 1791, the Society of the Cincinnati
Society of the Cincinnati
The Society of the Cincinnati is a historical organization with branches in the United States and France founded in 1783 to preserve the ideals and fellowship of the American Revolutionary War officers and to pressure the government to honor pledges it had made to officers who fought for American...
hosted a banquet in the Long Room for President George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
, who was visiting the city. The building continued to function as a tavern and banquet hall throughout much of the first half of the 19th century, and later served as a warehouse and print shop. The building was restored to its late-18th century appearance in the 1980s, and currently houses McCrady's Restaurant.
Design
The McCrady's Tavern complex consists of two main structures— the main tavern building, which faces East Bay Street, and the Long Room, which faces Unity Alley. The main tavern building is a rectagular three-story brick structure with a flat roof. The building is four bays wide, with its front (east) facade facing East Bay Street. The north facade is flush with an adjacent building, and the south facade faces a very narrow corridor. The rear facade faces a courtyard which connects it to the Long Room. The main tavern building is oriented east-to-west, while the Long Room is oriented north-to-south, giving the complex a "T" shape.McCrady's Long Room is a two-story brick structure measuring 75 feet (22.9 m) by 25 feet (7.6 m). The building's front facade faces Unity Alley, a narrow pedestrian alley connecting East Bay Street and State Street. The corridor on the southeast end of the Long Room adjacent to the front has been enclosed, and now serves as the complex's main entrance (the entrance to the main tavern building on East Bay is used as a private entrance for the current restaurant's "Chef's Room" guests). The Long Room building's first story consists of an arcade
Arcade (architecture)
An arcade is a succession of arches, each counterthrusting the next, supported by columns or piers or a covered walk enclosed by a line of such arches on one or both sides. In warmer or wet climates, exterior arcades provide shelter for pedestrians....
open on the east side which originally housed stalls for horses. The Long Room building's main room, where banquets and performances were held, occupies most of the second story, and originally included a stage and a 16 feet (4.9 m) ceiling. The second story also included an anteroom and dressing room for performers.
History
During the American Revolution, McCrady served as a leader in Charleston's militia. When Charleston fell to the British in 1780, McCrady was arrested and taken to St. Augustine
St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine is a city in the northeast section of Florida and the county seat of St. Johns County, Florida, United States. Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer and admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, it is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city and port in the continental United...
, where he was held until 1781. McCrady eventually purchased lots adjacent to his tavern, allowing him to construct the Long Room, which served as a banquet hall and small-scale performance venue, in 1788. On May 4, 1791, the Charleston branch of the Society of the Cincinnati
Society of the Cincinnati
The Society of the Cincinnati is a historical organization with branches in the United States and France founded in 1783 to preserve the ideals and fellowship of the American Revolutionary War officers and to pressure the government to honor pledges it had made to officers who fought for American...
hosted a banquet for President George Washington in McCrady's Long Room. The banquet was also attended by South Carolina governor Charles Pinckney
Charles Pinckney (governor)
Charles Pinckney was an American politician who was a signer of the United States Constitution, the 37th Governor of South Carolina, a Senator and a member of the House of Representatives...
, several congressmen, and the mayor of Charleston.
After McCrady's death in 1801, the tavern changed hands several times. In 1884, it was converted into a warehouse, and in 1913, the Daggett Printing Company purchased the building for use as a print shop. In the 1970s, after the building had been abandoned for several years, it was added to the National Register and plans were made to restore it to its late-18th century appearance.
McCrady's Restaurant
In the early 1980s, the McCrady building was remodeled by the architectural firm Bentel & Bentel for use as a restaurant. The arcade stalls beneath the Long Room were outfitted with tile and now serve as a dining area adjacent to the restaurant's bar. The Long Room now functions as a large dining room. Other modifications to the complex include the addition of mahoganyMahogany
The name mahogany is used when referring to numerous varieties of dark-colored hardwood. It is a native American word originally used for the wood of the species Swietenia mahagoni, known as West Indian or Cuban mahogany....
paneling and a Baccarat crystal
Baccarat (company)
Baccarat Crystal is a manufacturer of fine crystal glassware located in Baccarat, France. The company owns two museums: the Musée Baccarat in Baccarat, Meurthe-et-Moselle and the Galerie-Musée Baccarat, on the Place des États-Unis in Paris...
chandelier in what is now called the "Chef's Room." In 2010, the restaurant's chef, Sean Brock, was awarded the James Beard Foundation Award
James Beard Foundation Award
The James Beard Foundation Awards were established in 1990 and are often called "The Oscars of Food." Held on the first weekend in May, the Awards honor the finest chefs, restaurants, wine professionals, journalists, cookbook authors, restaurant designers, and other food professionals in the...
for Best Chef Southeast. Sam Sifton
Sam Sifton
Sam Sifton is an American journalist working for the New York Times. Sifton's posts at the Times have included deputy dining editor ; dining editor ; deputy culture editor and culture editor .....
, a New York Times Food Editor, referenced McCrady's as one of the best restaurants outside of the "first tier" of American cities.
External links
- McCrady's Restaurant — official site
- McCrady's Tavern and Long Room — South Carolina Department of Archives and History site
- McCrady's Tavern — Historic American Buildings SurveyHistoric American Buildings SurveyThe Historic American Buildings Survey , Historic American Engineering Record , and Historic American Landscapes Survey are programs of the National Park Service established for the purpose of documenting historic places. Records consists of measured drawings, archival photographs, and written...
entry at the Library of Congress