Fraunces Tavern at 54 Pearl Street

The historic Fraunces Tavern, located at 54 Pearl Street, on the southeast corner of Broad Street. Photograph take in May 1906, the year that restoration of the old building began. Source: New York Public Library, unknown photographer. Note: the NYPL indicates that this photo was taken prior to 1905, however it is almost the same as another photo (including garbage in the street, but with more people in front of the building) indicated as taken on May 15, 1906. It seems that the removal of material for restoration of the building had already begun, including one of the plaques on the Pearl Street front.

Until the early 20th century it was common to put the apostrophe before the "s" when writing the tavern name, but the proprietor's name was Samuel Fraunces, not Fraunce.

Etienne de Lancey constructed the original building as a family residence in 1719. In 1762 it was purchased by Samuel Fraunces that opened the Queen’s Head Tavern, the following year. This building is now the main building of Fraunces Tavern Museum.