Lewes Historical Society’s First Friday event set March 4
The Lewes Historical Society invites the public to attend its Historic Lewes First Friday event from 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, March 4, at the Sussex Tavern, located in the Rabbit’s Ferry House on the LHS Campus, 110 Shipcarpenter St.
Attendees will be able to experience a late 18th-early 19th century tavern atmosphere, and historical interpreters in period attire will share tales of the past. Traditional Irish music will be performed. Drinks and ales modeled after those found in the original Sussex Tavern daybook will be available along with mugs available for purchase.
The most popular drink in 1800 was grog, a combination of rum, lime juice and sugar. Second to grog was the bittered sling, which was the first drink in America to be called a cocktail. Its ingredients were rye whiskey, lemon juice, sugar, and bitters, and it was the precursor to the old-fashioned.
The original Sussex Tavern was in the old Sussex County Courthouse on Second Street next to St. Peter’s Church, Lewes. Simon and Sarah Marriner were the tavern keepers from 1792 to 1817. Its list of patrons reads like a Who’s Who of Lewes during the Federal period, from Daniel Rodney and Gov. Joseph Haslet to the common folk like Gilbert McCracken and Isaac Turner.
Programs will be presented on the first Friday of each month from March to May and September to November. There will be no entry fee, and beverages and mugs will be available for purchase.
