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In colonial America, taverns were commonplace throughout Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area. But these early American taprooms were much more than just watering holes. They served an important purpose in the community as a place for townsfolk to gather and discuss important topics. This proved especially important in the years leading up to the American Revolution. Taverns became Patriot refuges, where decisions were made about separation from the Crown and what a more democratic form of government would look like. As British-colonial relations deteriorated, taverns became meeting spots for Patriot militias to assemble and prepare for battle.

This itinerary, compiled using information from the Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS), explores the extant colonial taverns of the heritage area. You may notice that many of the “taverns” included in this list are actually labeled “inns.” Inns and taverns of the colonial period served many of the same purposes: offering food, drink, and lodging to travelers. For the purposes of this itinerary, we have focused on the overall experience and used “taverns” and “inns” interchangeably.

Despite the passage of time, some taverns remain open to the public. Many have been preserved as museums. Others have been repurposed as offices or reclaimed as private homes. In a few instances, the taverns remain taverns where visitors can still meet, converse, and enjoy a drink and food.

Whether you are just driving by or stopping off for a pint, we hope this list emphasizes the importance of these longstanding witness houses, and the crucial role they played in fostering the early American right to assembly.

Click here to view the itinerary on our interactive map!