It Happened Here

Much happened at Fraunces Tavern during the Revolutionary War.  Taverns in the late 1700's functioned as meeting places.  The ground floor had public rooms and the second floor had a series of private dining rooms that could be rented. The largest was usually called the Long Room.  Fraunces was very popular during the Revolutionary period because its proprietor, Samuel Fraunces was a staunch patriot and the food was considered among the best in the city.  The Long Room saw quite a cast of prominent revolutionaries.  The Sons of Liberty met there.  The Provincial Congress was founded there in 1765.  And even Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton both attended a Society of the Cincinnati dinner on July 4, 1804 about a week before their ill fated duel.  Attendees reported that there was little conversation between them.  It turned out to be the last meal that they shared.  

The event is designed to capture the spirit of Fraunces, describe the new Birch Trial exhibition, introduce many of the greater and lesser known patriots, and highlight the copy of the Declaration of Independence which was on display for the week of the event.