Mead's Tavern Workshop

Mead's Tavern. Photo: Friends of New London Museum. [1]

          As our class continues to study Mead’s Tavern, its historical characteristics can be used to display 18^th century architecture along with being used as a teaching tool for historic structure preservation. Recently, our class participated in a Mead’s Tavern workshop in which we were led on a tour by an architect familiar with Mead’s. During our tour, our host pointed out original materials and signs to look for when evaluating historical architecture. As the tour conclude, I realized there were a few things about Mead’s and its architecture I was unaware of. Learning how to properly analyze a historic structure proved significant during the workshop. Finally, learning about careers in public history, specifically related to historical architecture and preservation, provided insight into other career paths.

            As our host directed us to different areas of the building, I learned a few things about Mead’s Tavern that I was not aware of before the workshop. One feature was the removed staircase. Mead’s shows evidence in one of the second story floors of having had a staircase towards the back of the house. The evidence consists of a definitive line on the flooring thus proving possible patchwork occurred on the floor. Another feature was the original flooring in one of the second floor rooms. As you enter the room, the floor creaks and has visible slants and dips. The wood layout is also different when compared to the rest of the structure.

            Along with noticing new details about the tavern, the tour proved beneficial in that I learned how to properly conduct an architectural investigation of a historic structure. As our tour began, we started outside on the front porch. Starting outside allows the architect to examine the front porch and any external features that would provide clues as to when the structure was built. When we moved inside we began in the cellar and analyzed the original foundation that still remains. While moving from room to room, our host informed us she starts from the ceiling and works her way down. By applying these techniques, our class gained a basic understanding of how to conduct a historical structures investigation.

             Finally, the Mead’s Tavern workshop shed light on a different career path for history majors. While career opportunities for those interested in public history seems limited to purely museums, our workshop educated us on a field within public history that is not always promoted. Historical architecture and preservation is one way history majors can become involved in the public history sector. Before the workshop, I did not consider historic structure preservation as a possible career path for a history major, but after participating at Mead’s Tavern, historic structure preservation is something I will look into as a future career in public history.

            My experience during the Mead’s Tavern workshop allowed me to better understand historic structures and how to properly analyze a historic structure. As I continue working towards the field of public history, I will apply the skills and techniques I learned from the workshop to my future experiences with historic structures.


[1]  Mead's Tavern, 2015, New London Museum, accessed September 10, 2016, http://www.newlondonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Meads-Tavern-photo1.jpg.

Clover Hill Tavern of Appomattox Court House National Park

            Standing as the oldest building within the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Clover Hill Tavern grabbed my attention as a significant structure in Appomattox history. While the tavern was not used during the formal surrender of Confederate forces during the Civil War, the tavern was used for housing a printing machine in which the parole passes were printed for Confederate soldiers. Along with its significant history within Appomattox, the tavern represents the architecture of the day for 19^th century Piedmont structures. Numerous factors regarding the tavern stood out during the research process and further solidified my choice in using the Clover Hill Tavern for my Historic Structures Project.

Clover Hill Tavern. Photo: Elise Paisant

            When deciding which structure to research, the Clover Hill Tavern caught my attention because of its original construction date of 1819. Though the tavern has seen restoration in order to repair damage and stabilize the building, most of the brick work is the original brick. Along with original brick, other aspects of the tavern are original, further enhancing the authenticity of the structure. The structure also stands as a strong example of 19^th century architecture in the Virginia Piedmont. Many of the taverns’ surrounding structures were constructed in a similar fashion and studying a structure with significant architecture was key during my project.

            In order to begin researching the tavern, a basic understanding of the Appomattox region and architectural styles of the day was required. In order to define which architectural style the tavern resembled, I relied on a document from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources titled, “Classic Commonwealth: Virginia Architecture from the Colonial Era to 1940.” Upon reviewing the document and visiting the tavern, the structure appears to be influenced under the Federal style. [1] Along with collecting information, including a National Register, from Virginia historical websites, I also relied on books related specifically to Appomattox county and the national park in order to gather my research on the structure itself and its history.

            My visit to Clover Hill Tavern proved to be of value while conducting my research. Examining the structure for myself and seeing the original materials within the structure was paramount in allowing me to fully understand my structure and recognize its significance. In particular, seeing personal touches within the structure added to its authenticity. While observing the original materials that remain within the structure, I tried to focus in on how I can use these materials to help identify the era of construction. Utilizing what I had learned from a National Parks Service Brief written on architectural understanding, I found numerous original materials that could help date the tavern. [2] Some of these materials include, original bricks laid in the Flemish bond, originals fireplaces and hearths, and original paint and stenciling.

            Studying and understanding historic structures is crucial in the field of public history. When managing a historic structure such as Mt. Vernon, Monticello, or Clover Hill Tavern, it is important the staff knows beyond just the history associated with the structure. In order to properly date, restore, and present the structure, the materials must be studied and an understanding of the architecture is needed. Participating in this project granted me the opportunity to visit a significant structure and view it from a different angle. Along with understanding its link with a historical event, I am able to view the structure for its architecture and how architecture plays a crucial role in presenting the history.

[1] Virginia Department of Historic Resources. “Classic Commonwealth: Virginia Architecture from the Colonial Era to 1940.” Last modified 2015. Accessed December 5, 2016. http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/pdf_files/Classic_Commonwealth_Style_Guide.pdf.

[2] National Parks Service. “35. Understanding Old Buildings: The Process of Architectural Investigation.” Technical Preservation Series. September 1994. Accessed December 5, 2016. https://www.nps.gov/tps/how-to-preserve/briefs/35-architectural-investigation.htm#look.