Monday, November 26 2007

Dejarnette's Tavern

Richmond, VA -- APVA Preservation Virginia is pleased to announce the sale of the historic DeJarnette's Tavern, c. 1780s, through its Endangered Historic Properties Revolving Fund Program on October 15th, 2007. The Tavern, located in Halifax County, was purchased by APVA's Revolving Fund Program in 2001 to save it from severe neglect. The house and three acres which includes a log granary, a chicken house and the remains of two tobacco barns was sold to a couple from Connecticut. DeJarnette's Tavern is a rare, surviving example of vernacular tavern architecture and is listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places.

The new owners say: "This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to restore not only an early American homestead, but a place with outstanding historical significance. In addition to a stagecoach inn, tavern, and mustering point for Civil War soldiers, it has always been a place where people in the community and travelers have been able to gather together.

We know that this will be a labor of love, but it is an undertaking that we are thrilled to be part of, and look forward to keeping the history of DeJarnette's Tavern alive and preserved for generations to come."

The building has a stone foundation with frame construction, wide unpainted weatherboard siding and a very steep gable roof. The first floor features tavern rooms that Mr. Edward Chappell, head of architectural research at Colonial Williamsburg, describes as "the most memorable in Virginia." The large front tavern room has hand-planed horizontal wall sheathing that has never been painted. The original enclosed stairway is intact and leads to a large, open (unheated) upstairs room. Only one large rock chimney survives. The survival of these extremely rare and unique architectural features is extraordinary considering the house's years of vacancy.

Legend has it that Daniel DeJarnette (1768-1831) won the tavern in a wrestling match. Other tales abound, including that DeJarnette was over 7 feet tall and was buried in the family plot in a piano case. All stories aside, the DeJarnette family legacy begins in Virginia with the arrival of Jean DeJarnette (1680-1765), a Huguenot who fled France to escape the turmoil created by the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. In 1767, property under the name James Pemberton DeJarnette, son of Jean DeJarnette, was first recorded in Halifax County. James DeJarnette had ten children; one of whom was Daniel DeJarnette. The tavern remained in the DeJarnette family for six generations before it was purchased by the APVA Preservation Virginia Historic Properties Revolving Fund Program in 2001.

A rear addition which houses the dining room and kitchen was added in the early 20th century which enabled the tavern to function more as a farmhouse. Despite the addition of the ell, the building has changed very little since it construction.

Louis Malon, Director of Preservation Services says: "We are pleased that through the persistent efforts of the Revolving Fund Program we were able to save this property, protect it with preservation easements and find an appropriate new owner who has committed to restoring it as contributing structure within their community."

The Revolving Fund Program staff says Malon, "worked with many potential owners before finding the current owners who demonstrate the right mix of resources, vision and appreciation to undertake significant restorations."

The house is protected, in perpetuity, by easements held and monitored by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.

Preservation Online: Rare 18th-Century Virginia Tavern Saved

About APVA's Endangered Historic Properties Revolving Fund Program:

In 1999, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources' Historic Properties Revolving Fund was transferred to the APVA. This State-financed trust fund was established in 1989 by the Virginia General Assembly and is valued at approximately $1.5 million in cash, investments, and properties. Through the Revolving Fund, the APVA helps protect and preserve publicly significant historic properties across Virginia by using options to purchase, direct acquisition, or deed of gift to acquire threatened or endangered properties. To learn more about the Revolving Fund Program or to see a complete listing of historic property for sale go to: http://www.apva.org/revolvingfund/property_for_sale.php or call Sarah Cooleen, Revolving Fund Program Manager, at 804-648-1889, ext. 320 (office) or 804-0357-1184 (cell).

About APVA Preservation Virginia:

The need to save Jamestown Island and other threatened historic properties was the reason APVA Preservation Virginia was founded in 1889. Today, the APVA is the oldest statewide preservation organization in the United States. The APVA currently owns or manages 29 historic properties throughout Virginia, representing three centuries of Virginia and American History.

Press Contact:
Tina Calhoun
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
APVA Preservation Virginia
204 West Franklin Street
Richmond, VA 23220
804-648-1889 x. 316
tcalhoun@apva.org