MARTIN'S TAVERN
Today, Martin's Tavern, located in the Martin's Tavern/Humphry Marshalls Historical Park, is the site for many community events in Marshallton. it is visited year round by history enthusiasts eager to learn more about the role of the Marshallton area during the American Revolution.
The ruins have been lovingly re-pointed and restored to an accurate historic footprint of the original tavern and are now surrounded by lawns and bordered by historically accurate and award winning plantings. Period documents and maps are displayed describing the tavern's role as a watering hole, traveler's stopover and local militia meeting place. The life of famous American botanist Humphry Marshall is also celebrated.
The adjacent lot was joined to Martin's Tavern in 2021. A retaining wall has been added in order to level the grassy side yard. The new yard improves the setting for events held at the Tavern.
Martin's Tavern Before Restoration
FOMT had a desire to strip away the several additions to the original tavern and restore the building back to the size of the original tavern constructed in the mid 1700s and was in use during the time of the American Revolution. Under the trained eye of renowned architect John Milner, and a skilled and careful demolition team, the work began in earnest starting right at the top. Soon, the towering building began to shrink and the details of the original structure began to emerge.
Eventually it became evident to the members of FOMT that the dream of seeing a completely restored building on the site was unattainable. Too many years had passed with too little maintenance and too many modifications to the original structure with non-period materials had been performed. Reluctantly the group realigned their goals to save the footprint of the original structure and create a micro-park on the site for all to enjoy.
The restored footprint of Martin’s Tavern and the green, manicured micro-park that surrounds it, stands as a testimonial to the power of citizen action to make their communities better place to live. his picture shows the tavern festooned for the holidays in the winter of 2005.
FOMT had a desire to strip away the several additions to the original tavern and restore the building back to the size of the original tavern constructed in the mid 1700s and was in use during the time of the American Revolution. Under the trained eye of renowned architect John Milner, and a skilled and careful demolition team, the work began in earnest starting right at the top. Soon, the towering building began to shrink and the details of the original structure began to emerge.
Friend's of Martin's Tavern sends out an informative brochure with requests for funds on a yearly basis to a list of persons interested in helping to maintain the tavern park. A plaque honoring those persons and businesses who initially gave $1,000 or more in money or services is displayed at the tavern site.