Historic Williamsburg

31. Edinburgh Castle Tavern

Williamsburg, VA

Book Now

The Edinburgh Castle Tavern served Williamsburg locals and travelers throughout much of the eighteenth century. The first owner, Francis Sharp, applied for a license to operate an ordinary, or tavern, from his home in 1718. He died a year later, and his son Jacob sold the property to an innkeeper named Thomas Pattinson somewhere around 1742. An inventory of Pattinson's property after his death included a sign, "Edinburgh Castle." John Burdette became the owner of the tavern between 1743 and 1746. After Burdett's death, an "Edinburgh Castle" sign, very likely the same one owned by Pattinson, was listed as one his possessions, so the name of the tavern was evidently "Sign of the Edinburgh Castle" from at least 1743 to 1746. By 1767 the property had become a print shop, and changed hands regularly after 1773. Colonial Williamsburg reconstructed the tavern on its original foundations in 1941. It is currently a private residence.