Hanover is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Hanover County , Virginia , United States . It is the county seat and is located at the junction of U.S. Route 301 and State Route 54 south of the Pamunkey River . While historically known as Hanover Courthouse , the U.S. Geological Survey , Census Bureau , Postal Service and residents refer to it as "Hanover". The population as of the 2010 census was 252.
19-515: The Hanover Tavern is a community center, theatre, and recreational tavern located in Hanover, Virginia . Originally built in 1733, it is one of the oldest taverns in the United States. The first tavern at this site was licensed in 1733 and has continued service without interruption. The inn initially provided food, drink and stable services for travelers. The Hanover County Courthouse
38-601: A license to practice law [needs citation]. During the Revolutionary War, French officers Marquis de Lafayette, Marquis de Chastellux, and Rochambeau visited the Tavern.[needs citation]. Chastellux referred to the tavern as a "Tolerable handsome inn, with a large salon and covered portico."[needs citation] In his diary, General George Washington twice refers to dining and lodging at Hanover Courthouse.[needs citation] In 1800, seven slaves from Hanover Tavern took part in
57-514: Is located in northeastern Hanover County, south of the Pamunkey River , which forms the border with Caroline County . U.S. Route 301 passes through the center of the CDP, leading south 18 miles (29 km) to the center of Richmond and north 20 miles (32 km) to Bowling Green . Virginia State Route 54 leads west 6 miles (10 km) to Ashland . According to the U.S. Census Bureau ,
76-483: Is still an operating courthouse, the third oldest in use in the United States [needs citation]. Located along what is now historic U.S. Route 301 , its site was adjacent to the original Shelton Tavern. Founding Father Patrick Henry , married Sarah Shelton , the daughter of John and Eleanor Parks Shelton, the owners of the Tavern from 1750–1764. Henry assisted his father-in-law by greeting and serving guests, tending bar, and entertaining with his fiddle playing. Working at
95-503: The Barksdale Theatre owners and began to raise the needed money to stabilize and restore the aging building. The Foundation's goal was to restore, preserve and utilize the Tavern as an historical, educational, community and cultural resource center for the general public. The Foundation raised funds, restored historic buildings, and expanded the facility with restrooms, kitchens, and a refurbished theater. The complex reopened to
114-436: The Barksdale Theatre owners and began to raise the needed money to stabilize and restore the aging building. The Foundation's goal was to restore, preserve and utilize the Tavern as an historical, educational, community and cultural resource center for the general public. The Foundation raised funds, restored historic buildings, and expanded the facility with restrooms, kitchens, and a refurbished theater. The complex reopened to
133-616: The Parson's Cause . It is within the Hanover County Courthouse Historic District , which includes the Hanover Tavern . Rebuilt in 1791 on the site of a Revolutionary-era tavern, the tavern was adapted in 1953 as the Barksdale Theatre , the nation's first dinner theatre . Barksdale was Virginia's first performing arts organization to seat integrated audiences. St. Paul's Episcopal Church
152-586: The Hanover CDP has a total area of 1.2 square miles (3.1 km ), of which 0.7 acres (2,684 m ), or 0.09%, are water. Via the Pamunkey River, the community is part of the York River watershed. Hanover Tavern The Hanover Tavern is a community center, theatre, and recreational tavern located in Hanover, Virginia . Originally built in 1733, it is one of the oldest taverns in
171-628: The Hanover Tavern Foundation, dates from 1791 with early 19th century and late 20th century additions and is listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places. The original 1733 tavern building, having fallen into disrepair, was torn down after the construction of the 1822 section. In 1953, a group of actors from New York bought the building and 3.5 acres with
190-400: The Hanover Tavern Foundation, dates from 1791 with early 19th century and late 20th century additions and is listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places. The original 1733 tavern building, having fallen into disrepair, was torn down after the construction of the 1822 section. In 1953, a group of actors from New York bought the building and 3.5 acres with
209-403: The United States. The first tavern at this site was licensed in 1733 and has continued service without interruption. The inn initially provided food, drink and stable services for travelers. The Hanover County Courthouse is still an operating courthouse, the third oldest in use in the United States [needs citation]. Located along what is now historic U.S. Route 301 , its site was adjacent to
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#1732790678228228-515: The intention of starting a dinner theater. The tavern was adapted as the first dinner theatre in America; Barksdale Theatre . It was the first performing arts organization in Virginia to seat integrated audiences. Barksdale Theatre merged with Theatre IV in 2012 to become Virginia Repertory Theatre . In 1990, the non-profit Hanover Tavern Foundation bought the Tavern and 3.5 acres from
247-401: The intention of starting a dinner theater. The tavern was adapted as the first dinner theatre in America; Barksdale Theatre . It was the first performing arts organization in Virginia to seat integrated audiences. Barksdale Theatre merged with Theatre IV in 2012 to become Virginia Repertory Theatre . In 1990, the non-profit Hanover Tavern Foundation bought the Tavern and 3.5 acres from
266-452: The original Shelton Tavern. Founding Father Patrick Henry , married Sarah Shelton , the daughter of John and Eleanor Parks Shelton, the owners of the Tavern from 1750–1764. Henry assisted his father-in-law by greeting and serving guests, tending bar, and entertaining with his fiddle playing. Working at the tavern exposed Henry to the legal world and in April 1760 at the age of 24, he obtained
285-579: The planning of a failed slave insurrection known as Gabriel's Rebellion . During the Civil War the Tavern was used as a home for Confederate refugees fleeing the Union Army. Notable guests such as Chief Justice John Marshall , Edgar Allan Poe , P. T. Barnum , Charles Dickens , Union General Fitz John Porter , and Confederate generals J.E.B. Stuart and Wade Hampton visited the tavern.[needs citation] The present tavern building, restored by
304-464: The planning of a failed slave insurrection known as Gabriel's Rebellion . During the Civil War the Tavern was used as a home for Confederate refugees fleeing the Union Army. Notable guests such as Chief Justice John Marshall , Edgar Allan Poe , P. T. Barnum , Charles Dickens , Union General Fitz John Porter , and Confederate generals J.E.B. Stuart and Wade Hampton visited the tavern.[needs citation] The present tavern building, restored by
323-480: The public in 2005. Currently, Tavern offered student field trips, educational history programs, historical exhibits, heritage musical events, lecture series, and Virginia Repertory Theatre performances. Hanover, Virginia Its most notable structure is the Hanover County Courthouse , designated a National Historic Landmark . The attorney Patrick Henry practiced law here and argued
342-572: The tavern exposed Henry to the legal world and in April 1760 at the age of 24, he obtained a license to practice law [needs citation]. During the Revolutionary War, French officers Marquis de Lafayette, Marquis de Chastellux, and Rochambeau visited the Tavern.[needs citation]. Chastellux referred to the tavern as a "Tolerable handsome inn, with a large salon and covered portico."[needs citation] In his diary, General George Washington twice refers to dining and lodging at Hanover Courthouse.[needs citation] In 1800, seven slaves from Hanover Tavern took part in
361-565: Was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. The Hanover County Courthouse is an operating courthouse. Located along U.S. Route 301 , it is across the green from the Hanover Tavern. The courthouse is the third oldest courthouse still in use in the United States. Some local historians cited the courthouse as built in 1735, but the state historical society notes it was built between 1737 and 1742. Hanover
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