Tapping Into the Past: Tavern Life in Early Connecticut

Taverns in early Connecticut were more than just a place to drink. Travelers and locals alike saw taverns as a place to be entertained, spread news and gossip, have a good meal, and get a night’s lodging. Learn about how taverns were an essential part of every Connecticut town.

hosted by the Ammon College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences.
Enjoy music throughout the program provided by the Department of Music.

Schedule

Noon: Welcome - Dr. Gilbert Gigliotti, Permittee

12:05 p.m. - “America,” unpublished poem (1768), Phyllis Wheatley Peters, read by student Georgine Revilloza

12:10 p.m. - Tapping into the Past: Tavern Life in Early Connecticut; Jen Busa, Connecticut Museum of Culture & History

1 p.m. - “Epilogue by A Lady" from The Group (1775), Mercy Otis Warren, read by student Maryam El Khalfi

"A Prospect of Chess-Play and Chess-Players, at the Coffeehouse, New York" (1735) by Rev. Mr. Louis Rou (in Latin and English), read by student Nadea Dowen

1:15 p.m. - Design Tavern; Dr. Peggy Bloomer and students, Art & Design

1:45 p.m. - “Hot Water and Rum: The Role of Taverns in the American Revolution”; Dr. Matt Warshauer, History

2:40 p.m. - Wife of Bath - Dr. Candace Barrington, English

2:55 p.m. - The Connecticut Courant - Intro Henry McNulty, former Hartford Courant editor and newsroom historian

3:15 p.m. - Performing the News of 1775; Department of Theatre

4 p.m. - Hamilton and AI; Mitchell Charkiewicz, Economics

4:30 p.m. - "Common Sense" excerpt, read by student Richard Bovey, MA Public History Program

4:50 p.m. - Original music in honor of the Declaration of Independence, composed and performed by Sunny Nable, Music

Exhibits

• Skittle colonial game designed by Dr. Matthew Warshauer, History
• Projects from HIST 560, Dr. Anthony F. Martin, Geography, Anthropology, & Tourism
• What soldiers ate: Fire cakes and Switchel, prepared by Richard Bovey and Jon Kozak, MA Public History Program
• Letters by French Soldiers, translation and recorded readings, Kellie Bielonko, MA Public History Program French letters; read by Dr. Elizabeth Clay, Geography, Anthropology, and Tourism
• Newspapers and Revolution - Department of Journalism