Like most great Southern stories, the tale of Boyd Tavern starts with a racetrack. And that’s just one of dozens of engaging bits of backstory that colors in the lines of one of Southern Virginia’s most notorious national landmarks.
As John Kirkland, Mayor of the Town of Boydton explains: "Around 1785, folks came to Boydton from far and wide to watch horse races, sell tobacco and generally conduct business here in the county seat. So Boyd Tavern was established so they’d have a place to stay. Then after the races, they might have a little bit to drink, sometimes they might have a little too much fun. So they built a jail for them to have a place to cool off until they got in better shape."
As demand grew, so did the Tavern, which evolved in three major phases to accommodate larger and larger crowds — and new and varied purposes. Over the years, the Boyd Tavern establishment has served as the original site of the Randolph-Macon College for men, as a stage coach depot on the Boydton-Petersburg Plank Road, and as a mustering place for Confederate soldiers. In 1976, the Tavern earned its place on the National Register of Historic Places and anchored the Civil War History Trail that winds through southern Virginia.
Today, the Tavern complex spans an entire city block and serves as the centerpiece of an already historic town. Visitors can tour the rambling, two-story structure inside and out, including the stunning front facade with its full-length, sawn-work decorated two-story porch. The "grand" porch even serves as the as the backdrop for Boydton’s community wide Bluegrass celebration each June, July and August, with national entertainers performing from the porch and audiences gathered outside on the courtyard lawn. It’s all part of the Tavern’s rich and evolving history that’s firmly rooted in an already historic town.
"Boyd Tavern is located in a one-mile stretch of Boydton that includes more than 100 nationally significant historic civil war sites," said Angela Aamos, President of the Historic Boydton Renaissance. "Visitors can experience them in whatever order they choose using our self-guided Civil War Trail guide."
Typically, the Tavern is open for tours from 11:00am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday. For more information or to confirm available tours, hours of operations and special accommodations, visit www.boydtavern.net.
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WANDER THE CIVIL WAR TRAIL IN BOYDTON
WHAT: Historic Boyd’s Tavern
WHY: Get an up-close-and-personal tour of a civil war historic site
WHERE: 449 Washington Street, Boydton, Virginia
HOW: Call (434) 738-9800 or visit www.boydtavern.net
Call before traveling to confirm hours of operation and services available