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. Overall, archaeologists excavated 27 test cuts inside, adjacent to, or within the walls of the tavern, representing around fifty-percent of the total area. Test Cut BX was placed in the extreme southern part of Lot 8 as it hit Pearl Street in an attempt to find the front of the Lovelace Tavern. Though significant 19th- and 20th-century disturbances were found across the test cut, archaeologists did recover the remains of the Tavern's wooden floor and possibly its front stairs. In addition, the Tavern's front wall was discovered 3-inches south of Test Cut BX by probe. BX was expanded to the west (BX1) and to the north (BX2) to further test the area for archaeological resources.
Results: Two major features were found in the layer underneath of the Lovelace Tavern floor in the western 1/3 of the test cut: three stones in a north-south configuration and a metal pipe. The stones were found at 26-inches below excavation surface and are perhaps the remains of the front steps of the Tavern or steps that lead down into the basement. The eastern 2/3rds contained no features and gradually transitioned to sterile subsoil.
A segment of metal pipe of unknown age and purpose was discovered in this level at 23-inches below excavation surface in the northwestern part of the test cut. The pipe is 3-inches in diameter and runs north-to-south along the stones from the Tavern's steps also found in this layer. Interestingly, the Tavern floor above was not disturbed in any way by the installation or use of the pipe.
Lot 8, Test Cut BX, Strata XXVIII, Level A
-
Collection method
Trowel, Screen (1/2-inch mesh).
-
Soil description
Tan Sandy Silt over Red Sand
-
Munsell
5YR 5/6, 2.5Y 6/4
