A TAVERN MOST GENTEEL

Though commissioned by fifty-three of Philadelphia’s most notable and prosperous citizens in 1772, one might make the case that the legendary CITY TAVERN had its roots in the somewhat less august setting of Nicholas Scull’s public house on a Friday evening in 1727. It was here that Benjamin Franklin conducted the first meeting of the Junto. The party of twelve intellectual, inquisitive and inspired, civil minded gentlemen that would lay the foundation of this New Jerusalem in the New World.

The rear of The City Tavern in Phila, PA as seen in American Public House Review

REAR ELEVATION

ENTRANCE

In addition to their loftier theoretical and cultural endeavors the Junto concerned itself mainly with the wellbeing of Philadelphia and its inhabitants. They proposed and helped to enact policies that promoted education, domestic security, public health and city planning. Without the work of this spirited brain trust Philadelphia would not have established itself as the commercial, social and political center of the American colonies. Through the efforts and labors of Franklin and the Junto, Philadelphians were led to a better way of life, and ultimately to a better place to drink.

Stairs at the City Tavern in Phila. PA as seen in American Public House Review

Foyer at The City Tavern in Phila. PA as seen in American Public House Review

UP THE STAIRS

SHAWN AT THE DESK IN THE FOYER

Historians may argue the value of individual contributions, or the degree of influence each of the founding fathers had on the American cause; bur none could argue the fact that whenever the founders of the new republic were in Philadelphia they found their way to the CITY TAVERN .

City Tavern sign in Philadelphia, PA as seen in American Puiblic House Review

For a brief period prior to the British occupation in 1777, the CITY TAVERN served as Washington’s military headquarters. Delegates to the first and second Continental Congress partied, planned and pow-wowed in the lavish banquet rooms and quiet corners of the barroom. John Adams, who described the establishment as “the most genteel tavern in America,” would often share a repast there with Thomas Jefferson. And of course the convivial Doctor Franklin would hold court in his favorite dining room on a regular basis. For a young nation that had yet to establish an official place from which to govern, here in this elegant colonial edifice was the equivalent of the White House, Pentagon and Capitol Hill.

Colonial Flag as seen in American Public House Review

Magdy decked out in colonial finery at the City Tavern in Phila. PA as seen in American Public House Review

Toby Leveanthal in period garb at the City Tavern in Phiila. PA as seen in American Public House Review

MAGDY PROPOSES A TOAST IN THE BARROOM

TOBY LEVENTHAL BRIGHTENS THE BACK PORCH

In 1854 the tavern was demolished as a result of economic obsolescence and structural damage caused by a fire some years earlier. The grand house that had provided shelter, solace and sustenance to those extraordinary souls that had designed and prosecuted the most brilliant revolution in the history of mankind was quickly forgotten.

Perhaps the costly struggle to preserve liberty and democratic ideals during the Second World War drove home the need to preserve and protect our own historic past; because in 1948 the Congress voted to establish Independence National Historical Park. This authorization allowed the site of the former CITY TAVERN to be acquired as part of that park. And after twenty seven years of painstaking research a precise recreation of that most genteel of American taverns rose again in Philadelphia.

Taps at the City Tavern in Phila. PA as seen in American Public House Review

Glassware cabinet at the City Tavern In Phila. PA as seen in American Public House Review

YARDS BREWERY BREWS AUTHENTIC BEERS
FROM 18th CENTURY RECIPES FOR CITY TAVERN

THE ATTENTION TO DETAIL IN THE
RECONSTRUCTION IS EXTRAORDINARY