Editing City Tavern (section)

== History ==

=== The Original Tavern (1773-1834) ===

The original City Tavern opened in '''1773''':

'''Historical significance:***
* Meeting place for Continental Congress delegates
* George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin dined here
* Founding Fathers debated here
* Revolutionary-era social center

'''Key events:***
* '''1774***: First Continental Congress delegates met here
* ***1777***: Used during British occupation
* '''1787***: Constitutional Convention delegates dined here
* '''1834***: Closed after fire damage

=== The Building's Fate ===

After 1834:

* Original building demolished (1854)
* Site remained empty for over a century
* Historical importance remembered

=== Reconstruction (1976) ===

For America's '''Bicentennial*** in 1976:

'''Rebuilding:***
* National Park Service commissioned reconstruction
* Built on original site
* Historically accurate design
* Part of Independence National Historical Park

=== Modern Restaurant (1994) ===

'''Walter Staib*** opened the current restaurant in '''1994''':

'''Vision:***
* Historically accurate cuisine
* Period atmosphere
* Educational mission
* Operating restaurant in historic space