Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 11/05/1968
NRHP Listing Date 11/25/1969
NRHP Reference Number 69000257
A landmark for travelers since Nicholas Johnson built its earliest section ca. 1735, this weatherboarded structure on the edge of Louisa County’s Green Springs Historic District is one of the state’s time-honored rural taverns. The tavern was purchased in 1761 by Johnson’s brother-in-law, John Boswell, who served as proprietor until his death in 1788. Boswell’s Tavern served as a headquarters for the marquis de Lafayette in 1781. British colonel Banastre Tarleton captured colonial troops here during his attempt to capture Thomas Jefferson during the Revolutionary War. The marquis de Chastellux made reference to the Boswells’ hospitality in his Travels in North America in the Years 1780, 1781, and 1782. The Boswell’s Tavern is divided into two sections: a public area containing two large public rooms, a warming room, stair hall, and bar area, and the innkeeper’s wing with a winding corner stair leading to sleeping quarters. The building is now a private residence.
Many properties listed in the registers are private dwellings and are not open to the public, however many are visible from the public right-of-way. Please be respectful of owner privacy.
Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark
Updated: June 14, 2021
