Overfield Tavern Museum

The Overfield Tavern was built in 1808 and quickly emerged to become the center of social life for both travelers and residents of the small town of Troy, Ohio.  This tavern was the site of comfortable lodging as well as good food and drink in a typical social setting of a frontier town.  Along with food and lodging, the tavern held space where the County Court met upstairs until the year 1811.  Unique to the tavern is that it held one of Ohio's first Masonic lodges as well.  One of the most popular rooms in the tavern was the tap room, where men gathered to drink and socialize with good times and good conversation.  After dinner, ladies typically enjoyed their time in the parlor, where they too would enjoy good conversation or a night of reading over tea. 

Today, the tavern has been carefully restored into a public museum to reflect life of the 1800s.  Rare items from the 19th century, such as furniture, household items and other artifacts can be found throughout the museum.  Museum Director and Curator, Bob Patton has gone to great lengths in order to ensure each room reflects the original use of the room.  Some features of the museum include an art gallery, schoolroom and library.  The current library collection includes rare early American medical books and books for visitors to learn more about frontier life. 

Now, 200 years later, the tavern has been transformed into a place where visitors can come to experience their past and learn more about the beauty of frontier life.  Both private groups and schools are invited to experience the simplicity of frontier life on a guided tour.  Along with classroom tours, DVD presentations and teaching materials are offered to teachers who are wanting to further their classroom's education of frontier life.  If interested, you may also become a member of the Overfield Tavern Museum which gains to access to free tours, monthly emails, and Member Preview Days for new exhibitions.