Introduction: Lots 8, 9, and 15 are modern designations for adjacent parcels of land fronting Pearl Street 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 Lovelace 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. The Lovelace Tavern also served as New York's temporary City Hall starting in the late-17th century after the Stadt Huys fell into disrepair. The tavern was demolished in 1706.
Rationale: Remains of the Lovelace Tavern were first encountered during the excavation of Test Cut AQ. Test Cut BP was placed to the east of Test Cut BG and against the eastern wall of Lovelace Tavern. A builder's trench for the tavern wall was discovered in this test cut and in adjacent Test Cut BL. Unique to Test Cut BP, archaeologists found the remnants of a straw floor for the tavern that predates the main wooden floor. 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: Archaeologists recovered fragments and impressions of a second, earlier tavern floor made of straw matting between 8- to 11-inches below excavation surface. The surrounding soil contained limited diagnostic artifacts. However, the field form for this catalog number notes that a number of small and very thin pieces of drinking or table vessel glass were found lying directly atop the floor's surface. Other artifacts included oyster fragments and building materials like brick and mortar. Wood and soil samples were taken in this level. The straw floor was found only in Test Cut BP.
Lot 9, Test Cut BP, Stratum XV, Level A
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Collection method
Trowel, Screen (1/2-inch mesh).
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Soil description
Blue-Green Silt with Orange Sand and Straw
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Munsell
10YR 5/4, 5Y 5/1
