Fraunces Tavern

History and architecture

Fraunces Tavern is a three-story brick building with an attic with dormer windows. The west wall is notable for having been constructed of 18th century Holland Brick while the rest of the building utilized English Brick. This is the earliest of the 18th century buildings still standing in Manhattan. Originally built by Etienne (Stephen) DeLancey, as his residence, it later became the Queen's Head Tavern. This building contains the notable "Long Room" in George Washington said farewell to his officers in 1783.

The Tavern, as seen today, represents the restoration of 1907 made by architect William H. Mercereau, using that portion of the original structure which survived the fire of 1845. In evaluating the restoration, Montgomery Schuyler, the architectural critic, stated in an article he wrote in 1908: "Recent operations in the interior uncovered instructive structural facts, the slope of the roof of the original mansion, the size and shape of the old brick and what there was left of the construction of the 'Long Room'." Historically, this building achieved great local prominence in 1763 when it became the Queen's Head Tavern with Samuel Fraunces, who later became George Washington's steward, as proprietor. Notable events which occurred within its walls include the founding of the New York State Chamber of Commerce in 1768. Today it is distinguished as the home of the Sons of the Revolution.

At the public hearing, one of the representatives of the Sons of the Revolution cited the following evaluation of Fraunces Tavern: "The City of New York has many futile attempts to erect to the memory of Washington a suitable monument. It is already done. The preservation of Fraunces Tavern us the greatest monument that can be conceived or erected."