AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi
and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services
Meeting with friend, fellow former Capital newspaper columnist, and new Reynolds Tavern owner Diane Rey over coffee and dessert in one of the first-floor tea rooms on Tuesday afternoon, we chatted about how she and husband Dave came to buy the colonial era building at the corner of Church Circle and Franklin Street. The couple had long admired the tavern but the decision to assume ownership required some serious thought.
Built in 1747 by William Reynolds as a family home, the handsome building stands as proudly as ever. Fulfilling many roles over its 277-year history – from tavern, public meeting place and city hall to town library, a bank and popular restaurant and inn, it remains a mainstay of the thriving Annapolis business community.
As any of her friends will tell you, Diane Rey has always had a passion for history – so much so that, since 2011, she has reenacted the role of Anne Catharine Green whom she describes as “the media mogul of colonial Annapolis”.
“On stepping into her husband Jonas Green’s shoes following the printer’s death in 1967, Anne Catharine was named ‘Printer to the Province of Maryland’ (printing the paper money) and became the publisher of The Maryland Gazette, the only newspaper in colonial Maryland,” Rey said. “She lived and worked near here on Charles Street off Duke of Gloucester and, since she was a very influential woman, she’d have attended many private and public meetings at The Reynolds Tavern.”
Rey recalled that her initial interest in the Tavern began much earlier than her stint as Mrs. Green.
“Reynolds Tavern has always been dear to me since I landed here in Annapolis right after college in the mid-1980’s,” she said. “I was working as a public relations specialist for the Anne Arundel County Libraries System when I learned from my colleagues that the building was once The Annapolis Public Library. My co-workers fondly remembered going there and loved the children’s sections which were in the basement where the 1747 Pub is now.”
Their memories spurred Rey’s desire to learn more about the building’s early and current history and, since buying the Tavern, she’s sifted through almost three centuries’ worth of records while also working twice a week in the Beer Garden serving customers to learn everything she can about the business.
Starting with the 18th century, she was fascinated to discover that William Reynolds, a hatter and dry goods salesman, designed and built the structure as a home but used the basement for his hat-making shop. Only later, in1755, did he lease part of the building to be run as a tavern by Mary Fonnerau. It was so successful that, when Mary gave it up, Reynolds ran it himself naming it The Beaver & Lac’d Hat in honor of his primary business.
The late 18th century and early 19th century saw the Tavern in the hands of prominent merchant and civic leader John Davidson.
In 1812, the Tavern and building next to it became the property of Farmers National Bank through 1936. In fact, the bank’s “cashier” or manager lived in the tavern as a home and you can still see where there was a doorway in the front parlor behind the corner cabinet (pictured on the right) that connected directly with the bank.
In 1936 The Reynolds Tavern came close to being sold to by Farmers National Bank to Standard Oil and torn down to build a filling station. It was saved by a group of preservation-minded Annapolitans who found money to purchase and convert it to The Annapolis Public Library. The structure continued as the library and, later, the library system’s headquarters till 1974 when its title was transferred to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which in turn leased it to the Historic Annapolis Foundation.
In 1984, the Tavern was leased to Historic Inns of Annapolis run by a local entrepreneur, the late Paul Pearson who owned and restored The Maryland Inn, the Governor Calvert House and Robert Johnson House. Pearson had the vision to painstakingly restore the tavern to much of its former use and glory in a modern way. It’s Rey’s belief that Pearson never got the credit he deserved for bringing the building back to life while preserving its structural integrity and authenticity.
For a brief period in the 1990’s Reynolds Tavern reverted to ownership by Farmers Bank of America, Historic Annapolis and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. However, in 2000, it was purchased by a British couple, Jill and Andrew Petit, who operated it again as a tavern with a wonderful menu and Bed & Breakfast accommodations for travelers on the second floor. The Petit’s also brought a bit of English charm to the establishment by instituting afternoon tea service daily. The Petit’s longtime Innkeepers Wes and Marilyn Burge continue the custom, holding formal teas in the south dining room with its original mantle and striking portrait of George Washington (as can be seen in the opening photo) and/or in the opposite dining room or “Rose Room” as it is now called.
The Tavern’s windows, like this one in the Rose Room, offer picturesque views of St. Anne’s Church on Church Circle or equally historic buildings on streets nearby. Dormer windows on the third floor offer a true bird’s eye view.
By the early 2000’s, Rey was writing the weekly Around Annapolis column for The Capital and had occasion to cover events at the Tavern. Like many locals, she’d also stop by with friends for afternoon tea or dine there with her husband. Thus, her love affair with the Tavern continued unabated. When she and Dave learned it was for sale on the open market in September of 2023, they were amazed… and interested.
Deciding whether to buy The Reynolds Tavern from the Petits when it came on the market was quite an odyssey according to Rey. It took time for she and her husband to wrap their arms around the concept. The idea of owning the esteemed building was very appealing and they have had previous experience with historic properties. (They own a 100-year-old house in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware that they rent out each summer.)
Still, it was necessary to go through the process of checking the building out thoroughly to make sure it was sound structurally and examining what they’d be getting themselves into. They determined that it was solidly built to withstand the march of time. Most of the original flooring, stairwells, the fireplaces and mantles like the one by cabinetmaker John Shaw installed in 1812, and even hardware on the doors were still intact. They believe it’s the life moving in and out of the Tavern daily that has kept it in such good condition. Nevertheless, they realized that a 300-year-old building would require upkeep and would always need help. They’d, obviously, want to be good stewards.
Mulling everything over one cool evening while taking a walk around St. Anne’s Church, Dave and Diane glanced across Church Circle toward the building’s front porch just as a reenactor dressed in colonial era garb walked out the door.
“She just seemed so natural to us, part of the scene,” Diane said. “We kind of knew then, that we’d go ahead with the deal. And, I have to say it’s a privilege being in the position of stewarding this old building into the future though I’ll admit it is a bit daunting.”
Fortunately, the Reys were blessed that the Petit’s Innkeepers for 22 years, the Burges, agreed to stay on. Rey explained that they know every nut and bolt of the Tavern building and are expert at overseeing every part of its operation, from dining to entertainment to dealing with bed & breakfast guests.
Glancing across the dining room at that moment, Rey was delighted when she spotted two little girls sitting at a table in the corner opposite their mother and grandmother. She loved seeing three generations of a family seated together at the white linen-draped table with the girls being treated to a special meal on China plates and minding their manners while wearing their fancy dresses. It’s the sort of custom she sees repeated often at The Reynolds Tavern.
We later walked over and spoke with the Severna Park family. The girl’s grandmother Anna Wilsman said they were there to celebrate her birthday with her youngest daughter Rebecca Chisholm and granddaughters Anna and Gracie.
From her observations, from notes in the mail, and from comments on social media, Rey has come to realize just how much The Reynolds Tavern means to people in the community and travelers coming through town. They comment that they love the very look of the building – especially when Darim Traore is there with his flower stand adding a bit of European flower market flair to the scene.
In addition to working two nights a week in the Beer Garden to learn the rhythms of the Tavern and support its partnership with the Classic Theater of Maryland. Diane Rey is working hard to absorb information from the historic records. She’s helping spread the word about The Reynolds Tavern and meeting with Annapolis’ business, hospitality and tourism, government and community leaders to establish a rapport.
She’s been careful not to neglect her duties as Anne Catherine Green, however, still appearing as the latter-day media mogul at various functions in Annapolis and elsewhere. Having obtained her replica gown, Rey started portraying Mrs. Green in the fall of 2011 as the printer when she was 49.
“But we’re coming up on the reenacting date of 1774 when Mrs. Green is gearing up to call out the news that ‘the Peggy Stuart is burning’ (Annapolis’ own “Tea Party”), and there will be a big re-enactment commemorating the event in town this October 19th.”
Having given Mrs. Green her best for more than a dozen years, Rey has now reached an age where she can no longer portray a younger version of the famed printer. Green passed away in March of 1775.
“So, I’ll be vectoring out of the role this coming March and am looking for a new, younger person to recreate the role of the young Anne Catherine Green,” Rey said.
At that point, we interrupted our conversation as Rey was scheduled to meet her contractor in the Beer Garden. So we made our way past the glass cooler for champagnes, wines and beverages and scrumptious desserts.
We exited through the back door into the garden. In spite of it being one of the hottest days this summer, it was shady, breezy and oh so cool and comfortable. As we were approaching 5 pm, there were few people in the garden but later, at 7:30 pm, it would come to life with the weekly Tuesday evening historic reenactment by Sally Boyett and her Classic Theater of Maryland troop. This year’s presentation is Moliere’s “The Miser” performed to the accompaniment of a harpsichord playing in the background and with appropriate sound effects. The Beer Garden hosts some form of entertainment every evening.
I had just a moment before leaving to meet the Reys’ contractor, Mark Hall with Realistic Builders. Hall specializes in doing historic restorations and will be working on a handful of issues regarding easements and permitting.
I dashed back inside to thank our waitress Stephanie Lauck and learned that, for more information on the history of the Tavern and details regarding food, lodging and entertainment you can visit Home | Reynolds Tavern – Historic Landmark & Venue in Annapolis, MD .
The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center.)
and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.
