Hanover Tavern - Hanover

Hanover Tavern is located on Hanover Courthouse Road in Hanover, Virginia.  The tavern dates back to 1733 when the original license for a tavern on the property was issued.  The plantation grew to 550 acres by the time that William Parks, editor of the Virginia Gazette, purchased the land in 1743.  Its close proximity to the Hanover Courthouse made it a welcome stop for travellers in the area, and the tavern soon became a local hub.  In 1750 the tavern was purchased by John and Eleanor Parks Shelton.  They owned the tavern until 1764, and during that time their daughter, Sarah, married local lawyer Patrick Henry.  Patrick and Sarah lived at the tavern for several years, and Patrick argued the famous Parson's Cause case at the nearby courthouse in 1763.  The tavern also witnessed Gabriel's Great Slave Rebellion in 1800.  Several slaves from Hanover joined with Gabriel and hundreds of his followers in an attempt to revolt, but the militia was tipped off and intercepted the party before they could reach their target of Richmond.  In 1862 the tavern was caught between the Union and Confederacy during the Seven Days' Battles, and again in 1864 during Grant's march to Richmond.  By 1953 the building, having survived modifications on several of its sections, including the demolition of much of the original structure after completion of the 1822 addition, was in need of repair.  A group of actors from New York City bought the building and restored the structure.  They lived in the tavern and established America's first dinner theatre here, the Barksdale Theatre, which would continue operating at this location until 1990.  The Hanover Tavern Foundation purchased the property in 1990 and has since restored the structure, which still operates as a tavern.  As of today the oldest part of the tavern dates back to 1791, with much of the rest lost over time or taken down in order to facilitate further construction.  During its heyday Hanover Tavern witnessed visits from such figures as George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, Lord Cornwallis, Edgar Allan Poe, P.T. Barnum and Charles Dickens.  It is now part of the Hanover County Courthouse Historic District.           

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