This locally quarried limestone tavern building was erected in 1766 by Francis Baird at the corner of two colonial highways. "The King's Highway" was one of the main routes between Boston and Philadelphia, and Mr. Baird guessed correctly that this would be an excellent location for his establishment.

It originally had a 1 ½ store frame addition on the south side, which housed the kitchen. On the first floor a hall ran from front to back, to the stairway. North of the hall on the front of the house was the barroom, with a large open fireplace with two bars --one long one and one built like a quarter of a circle. The spring-floor ballroom on the second floor was the scene of many colonial era and later dances. One day when it rained and the militia could not practice, Benjamin Sayer, attended as the muster roll called in the attic.

Distinguished guests here included: George Washington, who stopped for `grog' on July 27, 1782 and likely on other occasions on his way between the headquarters at Newburgh and Philadelphia: and the Marquis DeChastellux, Major General in the French army serving under Count Rochambeau, who stayed all night here with his aides on Dec. 6, 1782.

The tavern went through a succession of owners, and had been divided into office space when it was again offered for sale in 1991, and funds were donated by Mrs. Elizabeth (Lewis) Van Leer for its purchase by the Society. The interior was restored and period exhibit rooms were created through the generosity of many friends of the society. In the 1990's the wrap-around porch, a later addition, was removed and a period front stoop was restored; in the past several years a project of completely appropriately re-pointing the masonry of the exterior has been undertaken, and will be completed in 2007 at a total cost of nearly $80,000.