Madden's Tavern

Infobox_nrhp | name =Madden's Tavern
nrhp_type =


caption =
nearest_city= Lignum, Virginia
lat_degrees = 38 | lat_minutes = 25 | lat_seconds = 56.56 | lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 77 | long_minutes = 49 | long_seconds = 16.27 | long_direction = W
area =
locmapin=Virginia
built =1840
added = August 16, 1984
governing_body = Private
refnum=84003526 cite 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] A rare occurrence in antebellum Virginia, Madden’s Tavern once functioned as a prime example of black entrepreneurship. The building was completed in 1840, and was run by a free black named Willis Madden. Before running his own business, Madden worked a variety of trades, including a blacksmith, distiller, cobbler, teamster, farm laborer, and nail maker. Using the money and experience earned from these jobs, Madden was able to buy eighty-seven acres in Culpeper County, and set up his business at the crossroads of Old Fredericksburg Road and Peola-Mills-Kellysville Road. The business included a four-room main building, a general store, a blacksmith wheelwright shop, and several other outbuildings and shed. The western half of the tavern contained the family living quarters, and the eastern portion consisted of a downstairs public room and a loft for overnight guests. The railroad developments of the 1850’s hit Madden’s enterprise hard, giving the business little time to recover before it suffered extensive damage during the Civil War.

References

* Madden’s Tavern [http://www.aaheritageva.org/search/sites.asp?MailingListID=164] - Virginia African Heritage Program

External links

* [http://www.aaheritageva.org/search/sites.asp?MailingListID=164 Information on the Madden’s Tavern from Virginia African Heritage Program]