Introduction: Lots 8, 9, and 15 are modern designations for adjacent parcels of land that were owned together and used as a single property until the early 1830's. Excavations produced important discoveries like that of the Colonial-era Lovelace Tavern, proving that significant archaeological resources could still exist in urban spaces. Project archaeologists were able to lobby for increased time and funds to continue their work on the strength of these finds, leading to additional discoveries. In all, the project provided considerable information about the history of New York City and its inhabitants from the 17th to the 20th centuries.
The tavern was constructed by the second English Governor of New York, Francis Lovelace, around 1670. Taverns were important spaces for colonial communities, serving as centralized meeting places that fulfilled important social, recreational, political, and economic functions. Lovelace Tavern became New York's temporary City Hall starting in the late-17th century after the Stadt Huys fell into disrepair and was demolished in 1706.
Rationale: Remains of the Lovelace Tavern were first encountered during the excavation of Test Cut AQ. Test Cut BW was a 3- by 5-foot excavation unit placed south of the cobble storage pit found in Test Cut BL. Remnants of the Lovelace Tavern's western wall and floor deposits were found in Test Cut BW. Overall, archaeologists excavated 27 test cuts inside, adjacent to, or within the walls of the tavern, representing around fifty-percent of the total area.
Results: The jumbled remains of the western stone wall of the Lovelace Tavern was found in Test Cut BW and in nearby BS and BQ. The wall remains in the western area of the project were less intact than those found along the tavern's eastern wall. Archaeologists attempted to follow the jumbled western wall to the north from Test Cut BW in this context. However, the wall disappeared at the cobble storage pit, indicating that the original course of the wall was destroyed by the installation of the pit in the 19th century.
Lot 8, Test Cut BW1
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Collection method
Shovel, Trowel, Brush.
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Soil description
(No Soil Description Provided)
