Tavern Archaeology

Tavern Archaeology. Brentsville. , In 2004, archaeologists from the University of Mary Washington's Center for Historic Preservation excavated portions of the Tavern site. They identified portions of the main buildings as well as numerous outbuilding sites and features. Some of these are still visible., The remains of one of two cellars underneath the ca. 1822 Tavern building survive today. These cellars were beneath two rooms that flanked the central passageway. When owner Thomas R. Hampton advertised the sale of the Brentsville Tavern in 1828, he noted that two rooms "… have been well fitted up as a store and counting room with a large cellar underneath…" It was likely accessed through an interior stairway and an exterior bulkhead., Archaeologists located evidence of outbuildings including the ice pit and the tavern addition. The ice pit was lined by brick and covered by a wooden roof supported by posts. The ice pit depression is still visible today. They also recovered hundreds of artifacts dating from the mid-to-late 19th century such as animal bones, bottle glass, metal objects, ceramics, and even a candle holder., By the early 1900s, little of the Tavern remained. Most of the walls had collapsed. Many of the large features (cellars and pits) had been backfilled.