Thursday Talk Taverns: The Original Social Network of Colonial America

Long before social media, taverns were the bustling nerve centers of colonial life—places where every spoonful of stew and sip of switchel carried news, shaped opinions, and forged powerful alliances. More than simple eateries, these lively hubs connected farmers, merchants, travelers, and politicians alike.

Gathered around warm hearths, locals and visitors shared hearty meals—think stews, salted meats, and fresh bread—sourced from the land and sea. With mugs of switchel, shrubs, cider, and herbal infusions in hand, conversations sparked everything from local gossip to revolutionary ideas.

Mistress Katie Hamilton-Smith, a lifelong history enthusiast and former tavern mistress of the iconic Rising Sun Tavern in Fredericksburg, Virginia, takes you inside the vibrant social ecosystem of 18th-century taverns—where community was built, power was brokered, and everyday life laid the groundwork for a nation.

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