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Archaeology/Historic Preservation
Tweed's Tavern
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Welcome to the Gutheri-Giacomelli House also known as Tweed's Tavern
| The Gutheri-Giacomelli House (Tweed's Tavern) is a historically
significant building. It was built as part of Delaware's rapidly developing late 18th century and early 19th
century overland transportation system and also as a local community center. Although you might
not guess it, this house is a rare and important survival of "log cabin" construction:
once very common within the landscape of early Delaware. The associated archaeological site is providing
important information concerning taverns located along Delaware's 18th and 19th century transportation network. |
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The tavern was probably established in the late 1790's and may have been initially operated by John Crow,
a well known New Castle innkeep and businessman. There was a log house, kitchen and shed on the
property as early as 1804. By the end of the 19th century, the property had ceased to be operated
as a tavern and the building was converted to a full time residence. In the late 1950's the
building was remodeled, enclosing the old log section. A large two story stuccoed rear frame
addition on a concrete block foundation was added in 1982. |
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| The two story log house/tavern hidden inside the later
building measures approximately 25 feet by 20 feet. The walls are constructed using a V-notched method
of log joinery. The logs were hand hewn flat on their interior and exterior surfaces, while the
upper and lower surfaces were left rounded and bark covered. The gaps in between the logs were filled
in or chinked with fieldstone and mortar. The interior faces of the walls were coated with a smooth layer
of stucco which was then white washed. The exterior was covered by a coat of stucco applied over wooden lath. |
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Archaeological investigations have uncovered architectural elements important to the interpretation of the original
layout of the log building. An artifact bearing deposit adjacent to the house has produced an
abundance of ceramic sherds dominated by locally produced redwares and imported English ironstone
china. The deposit contains a variety of artifacts ranging from the late 18th century to the late
19th century providing important information on tavern life. |
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| The artifacts that are pictured here have not been excavated at this site, but represent complete
examples of the types of artifacts that have been found at this site during the earlier phases of excavation. |
| The site is open to the public during working hours and tours will be provided to interested parties.
For more information contact Mike Hahn, Delaware Department of Transportation, at (302) 760-2131
or Ian Burrow of Hunter Research, Inc. at (609) 695-0122. |
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Sources Consulted: William C. Ketchum, Jr., American Redware, Helen and George S. McKearin, Two Hundred
Years of American Blown Glass; Olive R. Jones & E. Ann Smith, Glass of the British Military
1755-1820; Olive R. Jones, Cylindrical English Wine & Beer Bottles 1735-1850; Byron Sudhury,
Historic Clay Tobacco Pipe Studies, Edwin Tunis, The Tavern and the Ferry. |
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Last Updated: Tuesday, 29-Dec-2009 14:22:47 Eastern Standard Time
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