Historic Tavern

This historic Albemarle County tavern dates to 1740, and was once an important stop along the journey from Richmond to the Valley of Virginia. Chief Justice John Marshall owned and operated the tavern for several years. The tavern features one of the nation’s only remaining original bars — literally a booth surrounded by wooden bars where alcohol was kept. After being vacant for many years, the historically significant tavern had fallen into disrepair.

Alexander Nicholson fully restored the tavern in 2023, transforming it into the centerpiece of an office campus for a private company. We stabilized and reinforced the foundation, removed a hundred years of additions and modifications, and dismantled the building down to its hews log frame in most areas. Original materials were left undisturbed wherever possible, and those that were moved were carefully returned to their original location. A new HVAC and insulation system was designed to keep the old building breathing as it was designed to. A new rear addition designed by Stoneking Von Storch Architects seamlessly flows into the original portion of the building. The historic value of the building was preserved for future generations while catering to the functional and aesthetic requirements of a professional work space.