The "Fruits Of The Revolutionary War" Story

Wooden cluster of grapes from the Grape Tavern.

It was an ordinary day.  Visiting the Lancaster Historical Society and trying to find some information on the Wabank Hotel in Lancaster County.  While walking through the display titled "FREEDOM: to secure the Blessings of Liberty" I found something rather interesting hanging on the wall a few feet above eye level.  The item was a carved wooden cluster of grapes that at one time hung above the door of the Grape Tavern on North Queen Street in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  On January 22, 2015 I wrote a story titled "Historical Tidbits In Lancaster" and told the story about the plaque that hung on the wall where the Grape Tavern stood at one time.  

A Charles X. Carlson drawing that appears in
"Old Lancaster" Historic Pennsylvania Community. 

Well, in front of me today is the original wooden sign that at one time told of the prominent tavern that was built in 1741 and served the community for nearly a century and later became one of the most popular taverns among local revolutionary leaders in the early 1770s.  The Grape Tavern and Hotel stood on lots at 32-34 North Queen Street and served as a hub of activity a short distance from the Lincoln Highway, a vital link along the route from Philadelphia to the west of Pennsylvania.  Great place to pick up local news and intelligence as well as word from abroad.  The owner during that period in time was Adam Reigart who was one of Lancster's most outspoken revolutionary leaders.  

A plaque on 32-34 North Queen Street
which tells about the Grape Hotel.

He would gather patriots in his home, eventually making The Grape the unofficial headquarters for the Committee of Observation and Safety during the Revolutionary War.  The committee gathered at The Grape to discuss merchants who were violating the order against the sale of British Tea as well as organizing companies of volunteer militia soon after the Battle of Lexington.  Reigart became a lieutenant colonel in the colonial militia serving under his friend General Edward Hand who was also from Lancaster.  In 1794 The Grape changed ownership with the Michael family taking over the reigns of the tavern and hotel.  The Grape closed its doors for good in 1912, during its reign, seeing the city of Lancaster grow from 5,000 citizens to nearly 50,000 citizens.  The building soon became The Groff & Wolf men's clothing store.  Today it is a card, gift and specialized printing business with a new owner and name, Details.  I have lived in Lancaster all my life, but never had the chance to see the carved wooden cluster of grapes hanging above the door at 32-34 North Queen Street; that was until today.  My only disappointment about today was finding very little about the Wabank Hotel.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The Grape Tavern and Hotel changed hands and was a men's clothing store known as Groff & Wolf.

It now is known as Details which features cards, gifts and specialized printing.  The plaque can be seen on the far right of the photo.