The Historic Man Full Of Trouble Tavern
The Historic Man Full Of Trouble Tavern
Credited as being the only remaining tavern left from Colonial Philadelphia, built in 1799, the Man Full Of Trouble Tavern offers historic appeal with Colonial American charm. This tavern is located at 125-127 Spruce street, and boasts musket slots between the first and second floors, originally put into place in case the defense of an attack against the tavern people was necessary.
Hidden behind the tavern, a secret tunnel runs from the basement kitchen to Dock Creek. This tunnel was used in the past to smuggle goods, parrying taxes as it were.
This tavern was saved from impending destruction in the 1960's by a Philadelphian woman named Virginia Knauer who would restore the old tavern to its prior 18th Century grandeur, serving food and drinks once again. However, due to the slowing of visitation, she sold the tavern to University of Pennsylvania. They, in turn, are doing maintenance on this old tavern, such as installing a new Cedar shake roof. There are plans in the works to use the tavern as part of the Universities' College and Arts Sciences.
Man Full Of Trouble is a smaller kind of tavern, which gives it a cozy appeal. The ceilings are low, and on display, you can find the set of Windsor chairs, which the very first Chief of Justice, John Jay owned.
The kitchen has since been excavated, but was located in the cellar, and archaeologists found within pieces of glass, found to be China, and have since pieced them together and have them now on display. This same room was where the maids and hired men would all sleep in cots.
Whenever you're travelling through this historic neighborhood in Philadelphia, the Man Full Of Trouble Tavern is a great place to stop and sight-see. You'll almost feel as if you've travelled back in time, and are walking among the colonials.
