Historic Williamsburg

15. Chowning's Tavern

Williamsburg, VA

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Chowning's Tavern is a reconstructed ale house that was built upon the foundations of a colonial structure. It consists of two adjoining eighteenth-century-style buildings connected by an eleven foot center link that serves as the entrance. Since many taverns of the time period provided guests with space for outdoor dining, part of the outdoor area was paved with bricks during the reconstruction process. Guests can eat, drink and relax outdoors beneath the shade of a scuppernong grape arbor. No one knows for sure whether the original Chowning's Tavern was actually located in this spot, but two colonial advertisements suggest that this was the correct location. John Leggits was the owner or renter of the property on the Courthouse Green, and Josiah Chowning mentioned this fact when he advertised his tavern's opening in the Virginia Gazette in 1766. Chowning's ownership was short lived. Two years later, William Elliott opened a tavern in 'the house formerly occupied by Mr. Chowning.'