User:Mhbrandt/Ye Olde Tavern of Manchester Center, Vermont

This genteel circa 1790 Colonial tavern catered to the Vermont Green Mountain Boys and the politically influential—before, during and after Vermont became a state. The Tavern was where the elite met to eat and drink. The atmosphere at Ye Olde Tavern is one of simple elegance as befitting statesmen and the gentry who often dined and socialized there.

Built in 1790 by Dorset, Vermont. master builder Aaron Sheldon, it is distinguished by the spring floor in its third floor ballroom and by the high square columns of its porch. Called the Stagecoach Inn, it was built while [Vermont was still an independent republic http://www.vtonly.com/hstymar8.htm], its statehood opposed by the hated "Yorkers" until 1791.

About 1850, while it was known as Lockwood's Hotel, the marble porch was added. In 1860 Steven Thayer purchased the inn and renamed it Thayer's Hotel, a name that would last for 50 years. The first telephone line in Manchester was installed at the inn. It connected the railroad station with the South Dorset marble quarry. In 1896, Julia Thayer became a charter member of the newly formed Ormsby Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The chapter was named for the sister of Revolutionary hero Gideon Ormsby.

In 1902 as the Fairview Hotel, the tavern became headquarters for the movement to license the sale of "spirituous beverages". Two years later the revocation of the license closed the hotel.

After the installation of electricity in 1924 and renovations in 1934, Walter Clemons-McGuire re-opened the building as a hotel and antique shop. To this day, many of the curios, framed material and some of the furniture of Mr. McGuire's are found throughout the building.

Extensive and careful restoration in 1975 by Peter Palmer allowed the re-opening in time for the 1976 Bicentennial. At that time, the name changed to Ye Olde Tavern and it was listed by the Register of Historic Places. Within the walls of this circa 1790 building, stenciling recreates patterns typical of Moses Eaton. His work repeats the pineapple motif, a colonial symbol of hospitality which is found on the front door knocker. Ye Olde Tavern's delightfully uneven floors, slanting doorways, antique furnishings and classical music are remininiscent of the past.

Since November 2001, the propietors have been Minna & Michael Brandt.

In January 2012, Ye Olde Tavern was recognized as 1 of 10 'Green Restaurants' by the State of Vermont.Ths was all done while keeping the historic aspect of the building, light sensors, water regulators, low voltage light bulbs, energy efficcient furnace and insulation were added. The Tavern also partnered with local farms donating there food scraps to feed pigs and chickens.

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  Guests standing on the porsch in the 1920's.
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  Present day at the Ye Olde Tavern.