Virginia, Fairfax County, Centreville
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The Tavern
William Carr Lane established the Newgate Tavern ca. 1768 on what was then a main route to the west. In the early 1800s, the tavern (renamed the Eagle Tavern) had a hallway and four spacious rooms on the first floor and large chambers above. A cellar extended below the entire length of the tavern.
Activities
The tavern keepers offered lodging, dining, drinking, and entertainment. George Washington dined here several times while traveling. Accommodations were advertised in newspapers when local events attracted crowds of visitors, such as for religious revival meetings and horse races sponsored by the Centreville Jockey Club. Balls were held at the tavern “with the best music that can be had” to attract customers.
Auctions
Business transactions were conducted at the tavern, including the auctioning of land and slaves. In 1848, commissioners held an auction of “several valuable slaves of both sexes” before the front door of the tavern.
Tavern Rates
The county court regulated the allowable rates that could be charged at taverns. In 1816, a tavern keeper could charge 25 cents for one night’s lodging on clean sheets, 75 cents for a warm dinner with cider, and 75 cents for a quart of peach brandy.
(African Americans • Colonial Era) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
The TavernWilliam Carr Lane established the Newgate Tavern ca. 1768 on what was then a main route to the west. In the early 1800s, the tavern (renamed the Eagle Tavern) had a hallway and four spacious rooms on the first floor and large chambers above. A cellar extended below the entire length of the tavern.
Activities
The tavern keepers offered lodging, dining, drinking, and entertainment. George Washington dined here several times while traveling. Accommodations were advertised in newspapers when local events attracted crowds of visitors, such as for religious revival meetings and horse races sponsored by the Centreville Jockey Club. Balls were held at the tavern “with the best music that can be had” to attract customers.
Auctions
Business transactions were conducted at the tavern, including the auctioning of land and slaves. In 1848, commissioners held an auction of “several valuable slaves of both sexes” before the front door of the tavern.
Tavern Rates
The county court regulated the allowable rates that could be charged at taverns. In 1816, a tavern keeper could charge 25 cents for one night’s lodging on clean sheets, 75 cents for a warm dinner with cider, and 75 cents for a quart of peach brandy.
(African Americans • Colonial Era) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.