WALLACE TAVERN -
The eastern-most (complete) building on the Bee Hive property is Wallace Tavern. The tavern appears on local road maps of the 1780s and the 1794 Dennis Griffith Map of Maryland as "Wallace's" or "M Wallace's". The wide, one-piece mantel over the fireplace inside has Apotropaic markings including daisy wheels and witch marks, as well as the dates 1797 and 1800. The large open hearth gave heat to the whole building, as well as a place to prepare meals.
Wallace Tavern was frequently referred to as both a tavern and store. Situated between a grist mill and commercial cooper shop, it was well-known to farmers of the surrounding area. There they found refreshment, supplies, and a place to gather the news of the day before returning home from having their grain milled.
For the traveler, the tavern was a welcome sight after a long and often rugged day’s journey. They frequently found themselves leaning side to side to assist in keeping the stage coach upright. Because of deep ruts and primitive methods of repairing roads (placing small trees or bushes in the rut and covering them with dirt), passengers were often pushing the coach out of the mud in the wind and rain rather than riding within.
The significance of the tavern during the Revolutionary period cannot be underestimated. Even the sturdiest of men would have found it difficult to cope with all of the unknowns in the troubled and untamed nation. Taverns tied this young nation together by providing a means for people to dine and rest while traveling great distances.
Wallace Tavern was frequently referred to as both a tavern and store. Situated between a grist mill and commercial cooper shop, it was well-known to farmers of the surrounding area. There they found refreshment, supplies, and a place to gather the news of the day before returning home from having their grain milled.
For the traveler, the tavern was a welcome sight after a long and often rugged day’s journey. They frequently found themselves leaning side to side to assist in keeping the stage coach upright. Because of deep ruts and primitive methods of repairing roads (placing small trees or bushes in the rut and covering them with dirt), passengers were often pushing the coach out of the mud in the wind and rain rather than riding within.
The significance of the tavern during the Revolutionary period cannot be underestimated. Even the sturdiest of men would have found it difficult to cope with all of the unknowns in the troubled and untamed nation. Taverns tied this young nation together by providing a means for people to dine and rest while traveling great distances.