York, Pennsylvania served as a temporary capital and meeting place for the Founding Fathers. They met in the town in March of 1781 to draft and adopt the Articles of Confederation, our nation's first formal written structure of government. These Articles formally recognize The United States of America and since the document was drafted in York, residents consider the town as "the FIRST" capital.
The Golden Plough Tavern dates to the early 1750's. The structure is completely orginal and intact! The tavern abuts the "Horatio Gates" resident and this is Marquis De Lafayette.
Original chinck and ax marks
Side view of the Tavern and Gates house showing the kitchen, cellar and well
My wonderful guide explaining the simple architecture
The purpose of any tavern is to dispense spirits. Notice the two doors that swing UP. These lock in place to keep visitors from stealing the beverages. This is also known as a "Bar" hence the term we use today. On the wall are posted prices for food and spirits
All the artifacts are original to the time period and have been donated by locals throughout the centuries. Cupboard and spinning wheel
Very large hearth, one of the larger ones I've ever seen, about 8 feet long. Many iron pots, spits and utensils.
Tables and chairs to sit and visit while in the common room, above
The entryway where guests would have arrived through. It would have been bustling with continuous activity and many many people.
A Candle Making device! How clever! The spoke device holds the strings of candles as you dip them into how bees wax or animal tallow. Dip once and hang to dry. Grab the next spoke, dip, hang dry. Repeat process all day long until candles are nice and thick. This process is done in the fall when the weather is a little more chilled.
An upstairs common sleeping room for all the guests. Men usually bring their own bedding and camp on the floor. Upwards of 30-50 men would find a spot on the floor.
When the Historical Society did some rennovations, they discovered an intact interior wall.
The original roofing. Though you can see sunlight coming through, no rain or snow comes through it. It is designed to allow smoke to exit. It does have a plastic barrier today to prevent the bird poop from getting in.
The private family quarters. The couch is said to be original horsehide.
Private family quarters
Marquis De Lafayette welcoming us into the Horatio Gates house. This is where the "Conway Cabal" took place. Many members of the Continental Congress met here while General Horatio Gates resided here and discussed the plan to have Washington removed as Commander. The Marquis stood and nominated Gates for the position. To Gates credit he denied the proposal and remained loyal to Washington, although members in the Continental Congress had already considered the measure as well.
These walls swing UP to provide separate rooms or one large room.
The upstairs hearth and meeting room where Gates and his family spent time.
The room where Gates, Lafayette and other military men discussed the Revolution.
Private sleeping quarters in the Gates house
Downstairs dining area
Office and tea
Ladies sewing/emroidery table and supplies
Portable toilet...a first port a potty
A chaise to be carried on. Ben Franklin needed one while in Philadelphia due to his extreme gout. Many days his legs and feet were swollen and he was unable to walk.
The York Courthouse where the Founders, including John Adams, met to create the Articles of Confederation
Inside - The tables are arranged and members sat in a north to south pattern.
The Southern tables of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina
New England tables
Of course, Virgina
The guide said this is an origian flag.
The Articles of Confederation...
Imagine this as punishment.
This picture originally belonged up in the photos on Plough Tavern but it magically kept placing itself at the end of the page. It's an original stove with 1756 makers mark on it. Pretty cool.
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