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Gift of Nancy Phelps (Mrs. John A.) Blum, Jonathan Phelps Blum, and Timothy Alexander Blum, 200…

Tavern and Inn Signs

The Connecticut Historical Society holds the nation's largest collection of 18th and 19th century tavern signs. Long before the bright oversize signs that we see on the highways today, painted tavern signs were the predominent form of roadside advertising.

Towns were required by colonial legislation to have an inn or tavern to provide essential services, and these signs marked those establishments for travelers. Today, although we travel faster and farther than ever before, our needs have hardly changed: food, refreshment, fuel, and a place to spend the night.

Collection Highlights
Gift of Rufus S. Mathewson, 1841.110  Photograph by Williamstown Art Conservation Center.  © 20…
General Israel Putnam
about 1768
Gift of Miss Susan M. Loomis, 1896.7.0  Photograph by Williamstown Art Conservation Center  © 2…
Uriah Hayden
1762
Gift of Newton C. Brainard, 1957.59.1  Photograph by David Stansbury  © 2009 The Connecticut Hi…
Unknown
1840-1850