Linden Place Welcomes Historian Tom Kelleher for a Lively Look at Colonial Taverns
Bristol, R.I.- Linden Place Museum is proud to continue its ongoing lecture series with a special evening presentation by historian Tom Kelleher on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 7:00 PM.
Kelleher’s talk, “Taverns and Tavern Life in Early New England,” will explore the essential role taverns played in community life during the colonial era.
As numerous as churches, taverns were hubs of social, political, and cultural activity. From the food and drink served, to the topics debated and the songs sung by the fireside, Kelleher will bring to life what it was like inside these “public houses” that dotted nearly every town in New England. Presented in historic costume and accompanied by illustrative artifacts, this engaging program will also include samples of a traditional rum punch, prepared as part of the presentation.
Tom Kelleher is the Historian and Curator of Mechanical Arts at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, where he has worked for more than 40 years. A past president of the international Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums, Kelleher frequently lectures and demonstrates across the country. He holds a Master’s degree in history from the University of Connecticut and has published widely in magazines and journals, including Early American Life.
Admission to the lecture is $15, or $10 for Linden Place members. For more information or to reserve your spot, please visit www.lindenplace.org or call 401-253-0390.