Andrews Tavern

Andrews Tavern is a historic building located in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. The original brick structure was constructed for Samuel Andrews in 1815. Around 1848, a frame wing was added to the brick building for use as a tavern; although the wing was attached to the original residence, there is no interior connection between the two parts. The building is an example of Federal provincial architecture. The site's significance predates the surviving building: in 1778 the county seat of Spotsylvania County was moved to the Andrews Tavern area, which was a central location in the county. The county seat remained there until it was moved to its present location at Spotsylvania Court House in 1839. Because the tavern stood near the intersection of two major roads, it became a central social and political gathering place. In the 1840s both the Whigs and the Democrats promoted their parties on election days there with parades, banners, and free whiskey for voters. Since its construction, the building has served a number of purposes, including as a United States Post Office from 1842 to 1862 and, during the American Civil War, as a Confederate post office from 1862 to 1865. During his ownership of the building, Samuel Andrews was postmaster for the governments of both the Confederate States of America and the United States. The building has also served as a school and a polling place. In 1885 it once again housed a post office. As of 1999, Andrews Tavern was a private residence. The property has been designated a Virginia Historic Landmark and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in July 1976.

The original building at Andrews Tavern was constructed for Samuel Andrews in 1815 as a brick residence. Around 1848, a frame wing was added to the brick structure for a tavern; though the wing was added to the original residence, there is no interior connection between the two. The tavern is an example of Federal provincial architecture. The area's importance as a civic center predates the surviving building. In 1778, the county seat of Spotsylvania County was moved to the Andrews Tavern area, which was a central location in the county. The county seat remained at Andrews Tavern until it was moved to its present location at Spotsylvania Court House in 1839. Since the construction of the building, it has served a number of purposes, including United States Post Office from 1842 to 1862 and, during the American Civil War, Confederate post office from 1862 to 1865. During his ownership of the building, Samuel Andrews was postmaster for the governments of both the Confederate States of America and the United States. The building has also served as a school and a polling place. The location of the tavern, near the intersection of two major roads, made it a central social and political gathering place. Both the Whigs and the Democrats promoted their parties on election days in the 1840s with parades, banners, and free whiskey for voters. In 1885, the building once again housed a post office. As of 1999, Andrews Tavern was a private residence. The property has been designated as a Virginia Historic Landmark and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in July 1976.

• 1999

  As of this year, Andrews Tavern was a private residence.

• 1976

  The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places in July.

• 1885

  The building once again housed a post office.

• 1862

  During the American Civil War, the building served as a Confederate post office until 1865.

• 1848

  A frame wing was added to the brick structure for a tavern.

• 1842

  The building began service as a United States Post Office, continuing until 1862.

• 1839

  The county seat was moved from Andrews Tavern to its present location at Spotsylvania Court House.

• 1815

  The original brick building was constructed for Samuel Andrews.

• 1778

  The county seat of Spotsylvania County was moved to the Andrews Tavern area.

1. 1Andrews Tavern (Spotsylvania County, Virginia) - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Andrews Tavern - Wikidatawikidata.org