The Crossroads of History: Life at the Merchants and Drovers Tavern

Before the hum of the Garden State Parkway and the neon signs of roadside diners, the journey between New York and Philadelphia was a grueling, two-day trek by stagecoach. The “rest stops” of the 18th and 19th centuries were the local taverns—vibrant, multi-faceted hubs that offered food, fire, and a firm bed to weary travelers.

Standing proudly at the intersection of St. George’s Avenue (the old King’s Highway) and Westfield Avenue in Rahway, New Jersey, the Merchants and Drovers Tavern remains one of the state’s most iconic survivors. For over 130 years, it was the heartbeat of the community; today, it is a meticulously restored museum that tells the story of early American travel.

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The Evolution of a Landmark

The tavern began as a modest two-story commercial shop built by Oliver Pierson in 1795. In 1798, John Anderson purchased the building and successfully applied for a tavern license. Recognizing the booming stagecoach traffic on the road between Newark and Trenton, Anderson and later owners expanded the building to meet the demand.

• The Four-Story Giant: In the 1820s, under the ownership of Dr. David Craig, the tavern underwent a massive transformation. Two additional floors were added, resulting in the four-story, five-bay Federal-style structure we see today, capped with a distinctive cedar shake gambrel roof and dormer windows.
• The “Large Room”: The second floor featured a grand hall spanning the entire length of the building. This was Rahway’s premier social space, hosting everything from magic acts and puppet shows to serious lectures on “scientific education” and the original meetings to organize Rahway Township.

Rum, Reform, and “Cage Bars”

The heart of any tavern was the barroom. In the late 18th century, many New Jersey taverns utilized “cage bars.” These wooden slats allowed the innkeeper to serve drinks while physically securing the expensive liquor behind a locked gate—essential for preventing “sleepwalking” patrons from helping themselves to a midnight dram.

The cage bar at Merchants and Drovers today is a precise reproduction, built using ghost marks found on the original floors and walls during the building’s 1990s restoration.

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The Terrill Tavern: A Revolutionary Survivor

Also on the museum grounds is the Terrill Tavern, a one-and-a-half-story structure built circa 1735. Moved to this site in 1976 to save it from demolition, it tells a tale of Revolutionary intrigue.

• The Patriot Host: Owner Abraham Terrill was a staunch Patriot, but he practiced “tavern diplomacy.” He served British soldiers when they occupied the town to avoid the burning of his property, but the moment they marched away, his inn became a secret recruiting station for the Continental Army.
• A Presidential Breakfast: Local legend claims that General George Washington once stopped here for a morning meal. Finding Mary Terrill busy with chores, Washington reportedly brushed off her apologies for her appearance and happily sat down to a breakfast of Jersey ham and eggs.

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From “Girl Scout House” to Museum

The rise of the automobile and the modern motel eventually rendered the old stagecoach taverns obsolete. The Merchants and Drovers ceased operations as a tavern in the mid-1930s. For decades, it was affectionately known by locals as the “Girl Scout House” because it served as the regional headquarters for the organization.

In 1971, the Rahway Historical Society purchased the building, embarking on a multi-decade restoration project. By 1999, the interior was fully returned to its circa 1820 appearance, complete with period-accurate paint colors and furnishings.

If You Visit

The Merchants and Drovers Tavern Museum is located right next to the historic Rahway Cemetery (home to a signer of the Declaration of Independence).

• Location: 1632 St Georges Ave, Rahway, NJ 07065.
• The Taproom: See the unique cage bar and imagine the roar of stagecoach passengers warming themselves by the fire.
• The Upper Floors: Explore the sparsely furnished bedchambers to see how travelers once shared beds (and stories) on the road.
• The Gift Shop: Located inside the historic Terrill Tavern, where you can pick up local history books and colonial-themed gifts.

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For More Information:

• Merchants and Drovers Tavern Museum (www.merchantsanddrovers.org)