Wyman Tavern Museum

The Wyman Tavern is one of Keene's most historic houses. Built more than two centuries ago, the Tavern has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places and maintained as a period house museum representing the periods from 1770 to 1820 and 1820 to the 1870s.

The Tavern was built by Captain Isaac Wyman in 1762 and operated as a tavern by the Wyman family for 40 years. The first meeting of the trustees of Dartmouth College under President Eleazar Wheelock was held here on October 22, 1770. It was also from this tavern that 29 minutemen started their march to Lexington and Concord in April of 1775 under the command of Captain Wyman, a veteran of the Indian Wars.

The Reverend Zedekiah S. Barstow, Yale graduate and the last minister settled by the town in 1818, made his home in the tavern for 55 years. In addition to his pastoral duties, the Reverend Barstow conducted a private school at the house. His most famous pupil being Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury in President Abraham Lincoln's cabinet, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Guided tours of the Wyman Tavern Museum are conducted from May to mid November. In addition to tours, the Historical Society also sponsors a summer exhibit, the Wyman Tavern Lecture Series on Early American Life in Cheshire County, summer programs for children, and living history events, such as Revolutionary and Civil War encampments. There is a $3.00 admission fee per person to visit the tavern, with Historical Society of Cheshire County members admitted free.

Museum Hours

The Wyman Tavern is currently closed for the season. It will reopen for the 2012 season on May 8th.

During the summer of 2012, the Tavern will be open between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday from June 7 to Labor Day and by appointment. Spring (May) and fall (September - Mid November) tours of the Tavern are by appointment only. To schedule a tour or for further information on the Wyman Tavern, summer events, school tours, or reenactments, please contact the Tavern during its summer hours at (603) 357-3855 or our main office at 352-1895 or hscc@hsccnh.org

The Wyman Tavern Museum is located at 339 Main Street in downtown Keene, New Hampshire.

School Groups

Guided school group tours of the Wyman Tavern Museum are scheduled during the months of May, June, September, October, and November. Group leaders may also wish to consider combining their Wyman Tavern tour with a visit to the Historical Society and the Horatio Colony House Museum. HSCC offers several interactive activities for students along with our permanent and feature exhibits. The Horatio Colony House Museum also offers guided tours and student oriented activities. All three facilities are located on Main Street and within a short walking distance from each other. If you need transportation help to visit our museums, HSCC and the Horatio Colony House Museum have a Transportation Fund that covers the cost of a school bus for a day long experience at our three museums.

Summer Camps and Family Programs at the Tavern

During the summer months, HSCC offers week-long camps and Friday Afternoon at the Tavern, which is a series of summer programs for children and families to participate in an activity, game, or craft that was part of life when the Wyman Family ran a Tavern in Keene. Please return to this site to learn what programs are scheduled for 2012, or contact HSCC by email or phone 352-1895.