Taverns were an incredibly important part of colonial and early American life. In addition to being a convenient location for travelers to enjoy a refreshing beverage, a hot meal, and a warm bed, they were critical to their towns as community gathering spaces. At the end of a long day on the water or wharves of Lewes, hard-working men and women would be joined by the well-to-do in this common space, as neighbors mingled and heard the most recent news of the day, brought by ship from Philadelphia or by land along the King’s Highway. During the turbulent years of the American Revolution, taverns were where the hearts and minds of the people were won.
This is the experience that inspired Historic Lewes’ recreated Sussex Tavern, established within the aged walls of the Stockley-Street House (c 1740). The original Sussex Tavern stood on 2nd Street between St. Peter’s Church and the Ryves Holt House Museum & Mercantile, operated by Simon and Sarah Marriner from 1792 to 1817, whose business ledger survives today in the Historic Lewes archives. Just as it was in the Marriners’ day, our Sussex Tavern is a centerpiece: not only is it a hub of our Historic Campus, but you can visit it on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. to enjoy a historically-inspired cocktail and see it in all its glory during our monthly First Friday Community Nights.