Importance of colonial-era taverns highlighted in new book

(Continued from Page 1) call for revolution and a break from British rule.

Old taverns that have stood the test of time and are still in operation include the Merchants and Drovers Tavern in Rahway, the Allen House Tavern in Shrewsbury, the Village Inn in Englishtown and the Indian King Tavern in Haddonfield.

Nutley’s Old Military Hall, a tavern which lasted from 1795 until the mid 1970s, wasn’t around during the revolution but its name and location are evidence it surely saw its share of Revolutionary War veterans sharing a pint.

One of the great old stories about the founding fathers and taverns rises out of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. Many of those participating in the convention and some old army buddies of Washington met in Philadelphia’s City Tavern where they ate, drank and partied.

“They had a big party, all sorts of merriment, long winded speeches,” Gabriele said. “They drank enormous amounts of wine, beer, and cider. The cost was $17,000. That’s a pretty good party.”

This is Gabriele’s fifth book on New Jersey history, all published by Arcadia Publishing/The History Press. His previous books are, in chronological order: “The Golden Age of Bicycle Racing in New Jersey” (2011), “The History of Diners in New Jersey” (2013), “New Jersey Folk Revival Music: History and Tradition” (2016) and “Stories from New Jersey Diners: Monuments to Community” (2019).

A lifelong Garden State resident, he is a 1975 graduate of Montclair State University and has worked as a journalist, freelance writer and author for more than 40 years. He’s a 1971 graduate of Nutley High School, a former editor of the Nutley Sun, and currently serves as a member of the executive board of the Nutley Historical Society.

For more information on the May 12 program, visit the Nutley Historical Society’s website (www.nutleyhistoricalsociety.org). Books will be available for sale, and light refreshments will be served at the event.

Michael Gabriele is a graduate of Nutley High School and Montclair State University and has worked as a journalist, freelance writer and author for more than 40 years. He is on the executive board of the Nutley Historical Society. Above right, the back and front artwork for Gabrielle’s new book. At bottom right, the author will be greeting the public and signing copies of his book inside the Nutley Museum on Friday, May 12.