Awareness of the outside world. Lawyers, Guns, Money: American Revolutions Lecture Series. Livestream available with registration.
~~~
Merchants’ Coffeehouse
American Village
Montevallo, AL USA
14 September 2026
Merchants’ Coffeehouse is a place to get drinks and snacks at American Village, an historical reenactment complex near Birmingham, Alabama.
“The inspiration for its design came from The City Tavern, a popular Pennsylvanian drinking establishment circa 1773,” Stoves said. “It was eventually also known as Merchants’ Coffeehouse when they started serving coffee in 1785.” Shelby County Reporter: Freshly brewed: American Village opens new coffee shop, Domescik 2025.
“City Tavern was a popular gathering spot for residents and visitors alike in the late 1700s. Some members of the Second Continental Congress dined regularly here, and weekly balls took place on the second floor. John Adams described the place as ‘the most genteel tavern in America.’ ” Philadelphia Visitor Center: City Tavern
Last time I posted about American Village, I made snarky and condescending remarks about not being impressed with the reproduction when you’ve seen the original. [Spotted at American Village]
I will admit that I did not know about City Tavern. I probably never would have found out about it without the American Village version. Score one for reenactment over historical snobbery.
Too hot to walk around that day. I enjoyed my hot chocolate in the air conditioning, soaked up the colonial era color scheme, and went home.
Books
I have not read nor seen either of these books. Included to demonstrate the impact of City Tavern, judging by the titles.
City Tavern, The Founding Table—Colonial Dining, Revolutionary History, and the Restaurant at the Center of It All, by Becky Libourel Diamond, Westholme 2026.,
The City Tavern Papers: Philadelphia and the Conversations That Forged a Nation (Back Rooms That Shaped America #2), by Scott Hamele, Schuyler 2026.
Links
American Village Citizenship Trust
National Park Service: Visiting City Tavern
Historic Philadelphia: The Garden at City Tavern
Onwards!
Katherine
Virtual Brush Box 