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Greg and Jennifer Huff are the owners of The Essex Inn and the 1710 Tavern.
It might be the ultimate badge of honor for a truly historic restaurant: George Washington ate there in 1760, a fact noted in his diary.
In the 18th century, Tappahannock was known as Hobbs Hole, population 3,550, and it was a bustling tobacco port town. Seagoing sailing ships docked at the end of Prince Street bringing goods from Europe, while landowners from Virginia traveled by horseback to sell their tobacco crops for overseas consumption.
The charming white building that now houses the 1710 Tavern has a colorful 315-year history and the distinction of being the oldest tavern in Virginia, actually predating the roads, hence its orientation facing the river.
Originally built between 1710 and 1712 as a private residence, the building was converted to an ordinary by at least 1732. Ordinaries were established under the colonial government, with the name deriving from the ordinances that were then required to operate a tavern and inn. In addition to requiring an annual license, the government set prices for food, drinks and overnight stays so that a traveler knew what to expect.
The Sons of Liberty met there. Organizational meetings to protest the Stamp Act proposed by England’s crown took place there. Raids were launched from the tavern on the homes of local merchants—the first credible threat of a tar and feathering incident featured in one raid—as a means of garnering their support in fighting the Stamp Act. The British Navy bombarded and burned the town during the War of 1812, leaving behind a small cannonball embedded in the foundation of the former summer kitchen.
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The main dining room of the 1710 Tavern upholds the building’s cozy feeling of authenticity with restored fireplaces, original heart pine floors and windowpanes from the property.
The ordinary got a reprieve by the mid-19th century when it was converted back to a private residence for town pharmacist Dr. Henley, whose family continued to live there for generations. By the 20th century, the property had changed hands but ultimately fallen into disrepair. Finally, George Jennings purchased the building and spent several years stabilizing it to save it from collapse. But what the property truly needed was a history lover who understood the important role the building had played in Tappahannock’s past to breathe new life into it.
Sera Petras Photography
Sera Petras Photography
Have a seat at the bar made from old five-panel doors and slabs from a 300-year-old fallen walnut tree. Old wine casks from Farnham and a moonshine keg from Tappahannock hang above.
Enter Greg and Jennifer Huff, owners of the Essex Inn. After years as a high school history teacher, Greg was eager to move into the hospitality business. The couple lived in Philadelphia and was looking to move south and find an historic house to operate as a bed and breakfast. They cast a wide net, considering properties from mountains to coast from Virginia south to Georgia, before deciding on the inn, which was in foreclosure by the time they bought it in March 2021. “We looked at it on Saturday, made an offer on Monday and closed on Friday,” recalls Greg.
Once the inn was up and running and they had time to look up, it was hard to miss the Tavern property located across the street, awaiting its redemption. After a year of looking at it, they entered a prolonged negotiation period with the previous owner. “We both walked into this dilapidated building and had the exact same vision: we saw the dining room, the bar and the patio,” Greg says of that fateful day in 2022.
Based on when it had been built, the Huffs knew they’d name the place the 1710 Tavern from the moment they found it. “We bought the website name before we bought the building,” Jennifer says with a laugh. “Locals just call it the Tavern.”
Although the purchase went quickly, renovations proceeded at more of an 18th-century pace, taking a full 18 months. The Huffs’ goal was to maintain the originality of the building while extensively renovating it from top to bottom, always with an eye out for historical clues to the building’s past.
The fireplaces were restored to burn wood and are used anytime it’s 45 degrees or chillier outside, making for a snug feeling within. “Once it starts cooling off, I start lighting the fires,” Greg says, smiling. “Teenaged me would love my job.”
On the property, every time it rained, objects rose from the dirt to the surface. “All of the soil on the property was eventually dug up by the three different archaeological schools we had come out,” Jennifer says. “Each time we dug a hole, we found something, so around 5,000 artifacts were uncovered. There’s 300 years of history here.”
In September 2023, 1710 Tavern opened its doors once more as an eating and drinking establishment with the floors in the main dining room still the original heart pine. To restore the windows, each individual pane had to be removed from its mullion, polished and reset. Cracked and broken panes were replaced with original glass from the site’s unused windows. Overhead, some of the original beams were flipped to show the number each was assigned when the building was assembled.
Although a copy of the original menu hangs on the wall, no longer is it acceptable to pay in silver or tobacco as stated on that menu. The Huffs knew their goal was to create an upscale restaurant that reflected what had been served at the original ordinary, which offered three meal options: hot, cold or a servant’s meal. “That meant local oysters, rockfish from the Rappahannock and slow-cooked meats and poultry,” Greg says. “We do a fresh catch every Friday and Saturday night and all our desserts are made in-house, with two to three desserts gluten-free.”
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The seared lamb lollipops are served with housemade lamb salsa and yukon gold potatoes.
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This rarebit is served on ciabatta bread topped with marscapone parmesan cheese, sautéed exotic mushrooms, fire-roasted red peppers, shallots and arugula salad.
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Treat yourself to a cocktail or dessert from curated menus that are collectively designed by the 1710 Tavern staff members.
The attention to detail extends to every aspect of the dining experience at 1710 Tavern. Greens and tomatoes come from hydroponic growers at Sion House Farms in Farnham, meaning that the salad you eat at 1710 Tavern was picked the day before. Wine pairing dinners are held monthly and bourbon tastings quarterly. “We accumulate rare bourbons that aren’t available at the ABC stores,” Greg says. “Then we hold a tasting of five high-end bourbons led by the producers and distillers. We had 42 people at our last tasting.”
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Meet the bartender, Mickey! He’s a Level I sommelier ready to help with wine selections, pouring up a smooth Guinness, or taste-testing hard-to-find bourbons.
The bar, which was originally built between 1718 and 1758, now has a top constructed from slabs of a 300-year-old walnut tree that fell. Hanging over the bar are wine casks from Farnham and a moonshine keg from Tappahannock. “The barroom floors are made from the walls of a Warsaw hardware store,” Jennifer says. “The front of the bar is made from old five-panel doors we found in Richmond.”
Even at the bar, the history lesson continues. A section of the drink menu is devoted to colonial cocktails such as hot toddies and hot buttered rum, not to mention George Washington’s favorite cocktail, the Cherry Bounce, a fermented concoction of cherries, liquor and sugar. Wine, Virginia beers, classic cocktails and non-alcoholic mocktails round out the drink menu. The bartender is a Level I sommelier, always available to help patrons with wine selection and pairing.
The brick patio, both family- and dog-friendly, is a popular part of the tavern nearly year-round. During the holiday months, it’s enclosed and made cozy with heaters and bright red throws on the chairbacks. The patio’s menu is more basic than the inn’s, featuring brisket, hand-cut burgers and barbecue, making it an appealing option for a quick meal. “People can roll up in shorts after boating and have a fancy drink and a burger,” Jennifer says. “It’s our more casual option.”
It doesn’t get much more casual than Greg’s commute to work. He strolls from the Essex Inn, where the couple lives, to 1710 where he oversees all aspects of the tavern’s operation as well as the extensive catering they do. They cater all the pop-up dinners at Stratford Hall, as well as weddings and special events. “We had a local artist do our logo and we pay our staff a living wage,” Greg says. “I sleep well at night knowing we treat our staff right.”
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Fancy yourself a cocktail? Check out 1710 Tavern's Chocolate ChaiTeani, an original recipe featuring The Spice & Tea Exchange of Williamsburg's chai sugar rim!
Both Greg and Jennifer admit to how much they’ve enjoyed restoring the building and bringing it back to life. “What we didn’t realize was how much of an effect it would have on the community after the building sat vacant for so long,” Jennifer says. “What’s so cool is being a part of the rebirth of this area to what it should be based on its history.”
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Wine pairing dinners are held monthly at 1710 Tavern and bourbon tastings are held quarterly, led by the producers and distillers.
Along with their fellow merchants, the Huffs are working to make Tappahannock a destination. There’s a monthly Date Night event held on the evening that the Tappahannock Art Gallery opens a new exhibit. The community is encouraged to stop by Act 12 for their Friday night wine tasting, visit the gallery for the opening and enjoy dinner at 1710 Tavern. “It works out well to have the community working together to promote a place where so much history happened,” Jennifer says. “It’s been a great experience getting to know people and I hope in five years, people will still be coming for the first time.”
George Washington may not have left a Yelp review, but his diary entry about the ordinary did provide yet another piece of the fascinating past of the little white building in Tappahannock.
“I love to walk around and talk with guests, even share some history with people who are interested, unlike when I was teaching,” Greg laughs. “We’re proud to have the opportunity to establish a place where the community can come together.”
1710 Tavern | 314 S. Water Street, Tappahannock | 804-925-6710 | 1710tavern.com
