By early 1777, the Revolutionary War had forced New Jersey’s legislators to seek a safer meeting place, leading them to the Indian King Tavern in Haddonfield. From January through September of that year, the General Assembly convened there, marking significant moments in state history. It was at the Indian King that the Declaration of Independence was officially recorded in New Jersey’s legislative minutes, the state’s Great Seal was adopted, and the constitution was amended to assert the authority of the state rather than the colony. The tavern also housed the Council of Safety, tasked with investigating suspected Loyalists.
Re-enactors raise their weapons in front of the Indian King Tavern.
Beyond its role in government, the Indian King Tavern reflected the vital role taverns played in Revolutionary America as hubs of discussion and political activity. Visited by both commoners and prominent figures such as Lafayette and Anthony Wayne, it was occupied at different times by both American and British troops. After the war, it continued serving travelers before becoming the American Temperance Hotel in 1874. Acquired by the state in 1903, the tavern underwent restorations to preserve its historical significance. Today, it stands as a museum, offering insight into colonial tavern life and New Jersey’s Revolutionary past.
More to Explore
