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- See also: Oldest buildings in America
The White Horse Tavern, constructed before 1673 in Newport, Rhode Island, is one of the oldest tavern buildings in the United States.[2] It is located on the corner of Farewell and Marlborough Streets in Newport.
[edit] History
Frances Brinley constructed the original building on the site in 1652.[2] In 1673 the lot was sold to William Mayesand the building was enlarged to become a tavern.[2] The building was also used for large meetings including use as a Rhode Island General Assembly meeting place, a court house, and a city hall.[2] William Mayes, Sr. obtained a tavern license in 1687 and William Mayes, Jr., a well-known pirate, operated the tavern through the early eighteenth century.[2] The operation was named "The White Horse Tavern" in 1730 by owner, Jonathan Nichols.[2] During the American Revolution Tories and British troops were quarted there around the time of the British occupation and the Battle of Rhode Island.[2] After years of neglect as a boarding house, Newport's Van Bueren family donated money to the private Preservation Society of Newport to restore the building in 1952.[2] After the restoration, the building was sold and once again operated as a private tavern and restaurant.[2] As of 2008, it still remains a popular drinking and dining location.[1]
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