Union Oyster House

Infobox_nrhp | name =Union Oyster House
nrhp_type = nhl


caption = Union Oyster House
location= Boston, Massachusetts
lat_degrees = 42
lat_minutes = 21
lat_seconds = 46
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 71
long_minutes = 3
long_seconds = 38
long_direction = W
locmapin = Massachusetts
area =
built =1826
architect=
architecture= Georgian, Other
designated=May 27, 2003
added = May 27, 2003
governing_body = Private
refnum=03000645cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]

Ye Olde Union Oyster House, open to diners since 1826, is the oldest restaurant in the United States of America. It is located at 41-43 Union Street, Boston, Massachusetts. The building was listed as a National Historic Landmark on May 27, 2003.

The building itself was built prior to 1714, most likely in 1704. Before it became a restaurant, Hopestill Capen's dress goods business occupied the property. In 1771 printer Isaiah Thomas published his newspaper "The Massachusetts Spy" from the second floor as represented by paintings there by artist D. W. Roth. With such a long and illustrious history, the Union Oyster House has had its share of famous people in history as diners including the Kennedy clan and Daniel Webster. Perhaps most surprising, in 1796 Louis Philippe, king of France from 1830-1848, lived in exile on the second floor. He earned his living by teaching French to young ladies. America's first waitress, Rose Carey, worked there starting in the early 1920s. Her picture is on the wall on the stairway up to the 2nd floor.

The food is traditional New England fare such as seafood, poultry, baked beans, steak and chops. The toothpick was said to have been popularized in America starting at the Oyster House.

Image gallery

References

ee also

*Cuisine of New England
*Oysters
*Clams
*Lobster

External links

* [http://www.unionoysterhouse.com Official webpage of Union Oyster House]