Explore the fascinating history and vibrant present of Hanover Tavern, where the country’s first dinner theater emerged.
From colonial travelers seeking lodging to modern audiences enjoying live performances, Hanover Tavern has remained a cornerstone of community life in Hanover County for more than 250 years. Established in the 1750s and frequented by influential figures ranging from George Washington to Patrick Henry, the tavern evolved from a bustling court-day gathering place into a theatrical landmark when the Barksdale Theatre opened there in 1953 as the country’s first dinner theater.
Today, visitors can still experience that blend of history and entertainment through productions staged in the Bradley Theater, tours, dining, and year-round events that keep the tavern’s storied legacy alive.
Hanover Tavern
Hanover Tavern developed a storied reputation throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, hosting such well-known figures as George Washington, Patrick Henry, the Marquis de Lafayette, and General Cornwallis.
The first iteration of the tavern was built in the 1750s as a 2,300-square-foot structure paired with a kitchen building, a separate house, a barn, and a stable. It served as the lodging and meeting place for those who traveled into town once a month when the Hanover County Court was in session.
Surprisingly, Patrick Henry did more than just stay at the tavern. In fact, he worked there by serving guests, tending the bar, and performing on his fiddle. His connection to the tavern came in the form of his wife, Sarah Shelton, whose father owned the establishment until 1764. It’s said that the exposure Henry received to the workings of the judicial system inspired him to obtain a license to practice law, which he did in 1760 at the age of 24.
The derelict condition of the tavern by the 1820s meant that a decision was made to construct a new tavern, which was built in the shape of an “L.” It’s assumed that the original tavern was eventually torn down. By 1832, an addition was added to the new building so that it would be linked to the owner’s house that had been built in 1791. Shortly thereafter, the porches that are visible today were added to the sides of the tavern.
The Civil War brought a flurry of activity to the tavern, serving as a refuge for those fleeing the Union Army. Throughout the war, both Confederate and Union troops stayed at the tavern.
Other notable guests over the years have included Chief Justice John Marshall, Edgar Allan Poe, P.T. Barnum, Charles Dickens, and Gen. J.E.B. Stuart.
Barksdale Theatre
Hanover made its mark in theater history when, in 1953, six young actors from New York bought Hanover Tavern and opened the Barksdale Theatre, the country’s first dinner theater. The group named the theater after a college friend who had previously passed. The tavern served as the artistic and actual home of the actors, who raised their families upstairs while performing downstairs.
The theater also established itself as a stronghold for civil rights, becoming the first performing arts venue to welcome integrated audiences despite Jim Crow laws. In 1973, it also produced Lorraine Hansberry’s “To Be Young, Gifted and Black,” Virginia’s first professional production centered on the African American experience.
By 1990, the theater decided to sell the building to the Hanover Tavern Foundation, which undertook a project to restore the tavern to its former glory. Upon completion of the project, the theater was invited to return.
The theater company is now known as the Virginia Repertory Theatre, which is currently based in Richmond but still stages three to four productions a year in Hanover.
Bradley Theater
The 155-seat Bradley Theater regularly hosts productions from such companies as the Virginia Repertory Theatre and Chamberlayne Actors Theatre.
Current production
The Virginia Repertory Theatre is presenting “The Cottage” at the Bradley Theater from Mar. 27 to Apr. 26. Tickets can be purchased here.
Having been on Broadway in 2023, the play follows Sylvia Van Kipness, who decides to confess to both her husband and her lover’s wife that she’s having an affair. Much to her surprise, she and her lover aren’t the only ones engaged in extramarital activities. The comedy is set in the English countryside and turns Victorian propriety on its head.
Family events
The tavern holds several family events throughout the year.
Antiques at the Tavern, which is held from Apr. 29 to May 1, features 20 hand-selected dealers selling items such as period furniture, ceramics, pottery, silver, linens, art, and jewelry. The event also features music, an open bar, and hors d’oeuvres. Gordon Lohr is the 2026 guest speaker. He will be delivering a lecture, “Decoys & Carvers of Eastern Shore, Virginia,” in the Bradley Theater. Proceeds from the event support the foundation.
Hanover AutumnFest is the tavern’s signature annual community event. Held on the last Saturday of each September, the grounds of the tavern are opened to the community for music, history, games, food, and drinks. Smoked turkey, pork, beef brisket, Brunswick stew, sides, and handmade pies are served. While your kids enjoy face painting and a petting zoo, you can sample some locally produced wine or craft beer.
Ther Heritage Music Series is a tribute to the tavern’s cultural heritage, featuring musicians from across the country who perform music that has a cultural or historical connection to the tavern. Uniquely, the performers tell stories related to their culture and instruments. The free series is held on the first Wednesday of every month.
The Speaker Series features authors, speakers, and presentations on a quarterly basis. The topics relate to the history of the country, the Commonwealth, Hanover County, and the tavern. For example, a previous program focused on how to cook by the hearth.
Hanover Tavern Foundation
1990 brought about a new phase in the tavern’s history when the nonprofit Hanover Tavern Foundation was established to purchase the structure from the theater owners. The effort kick-started a stabilization and restoration effort that garnered support from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Following a $5 million project, the tavern reopened 15 years later with the goal of being a gathering place for the local community and an educational destination.
Visit
While at the tavern, go on a tour, dine at the restaurant, and shop at the store.
Hanover Tavern Tours
Learn more about the history of the tavern by going on a self-guided audio tour or guided tour of the first two floors. Tours start at $5. Make sure you register in advance by calling 804-537-5050.
Ghost tours are also offered every other month. The hour-long tour explores the tavern’s spirits, strange occurrences, stories, and paranormal occurrences. Tickets are $12 per person.
Hanover Tavern Restaurant
Enjoy dinner at the scratch-made Hanover Tavern Restaurant. The expansive menu includes lunch, brunch, and dinner.
Start with the fried green tomatoes before moving on to the southern meatloaf that’s served with brown gravy and a side of fried okra.
If you’re a local, consider joining the beer club. In honoring the tavern’s legacy of serving porters, stouts, ales, and lagers for over 250 years, the beer club offers access to swag, discounted beer, food, and tickets. The membership fee is $100.
Hanover Tavern Store
Commemorate your trip to the tavern by getting a unique gift at the Hanover Tavern Store. Grab a handmade flour sack tavern tea towel for $25, a Cat’s Meow Village tavern display for $20, or a tavern acrylic magnet for $10. You can also knock out some early Christmas shopping by getting some tavern paper globe Christmas ornaments for $15 each.
