First Speaker Series of 2026: "African Americans of Hanover County"
2026-02-12 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Denver) | Hanover Tavern
Discover the Untold Stories of African Americans in Hanover County
Step back in time and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of African Americans in Hanover County, Virginia. Join us for an unforgettable Speaker Series with author and local teacher, Joe Gorman, as he takes you on a journey through the lives of remarkable individuals who have shaped the community through generations with a discussion of his new book, “African Americans of Hanover County, Virginia”. From the inspiring Freedwoman Betsy Hogg Tinsley to the groundbreaking Barksdale Theatre in the historic Hanover Tavern, you’ll explore stories of triumph, perseverance, and resilience.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to gain insight into Hanover County’s black history. Reserve your spot today and be part of a one-of-a-kind experience that celebrates the contributions of African Americans in Virginia’s past and present.
Reserve your spot today! Reserve Your Seat

"Pleasures Prove" Special Sweethearts Menu!
2026-02-13 - 2026-02-14 | Hanover Tavern
Enjoy a romantic special sweethearts menu with your sweetheart for Valentine’s Day!
Join us for an elegant 3-course meal including your choice of appetizer, entree, and dessert. See the menu: Pleasures Prove Special Menu
February 13th & 14th
Seatings from 4pm – 9pm
$65 per person (one selection from each course)
or
$115 couple sharing (one appetizer, two entrees, one dessert)
Reservations required. 804-537-5050

Introducing the "Wicked Oz" Tavern Tea!
2026-03-01 14:00 - 16:00
Join us for a sip down the Yellow Brick road at the first Tavern Tea of 2026 – “Wicked Oz”!
Step into the magical world of Oz at the Wicked Oz Tavern Tea event! Dress up as your favorite character and indulge in a three-course themed menu that includes scrumptious savories, delectable sweets, traditional tea brews, and a special tea flavor that will transport you straight to the Emerald City. Don’t miss out on the chance to win a custom raffle basket and the title of the best costume in the land of Oz! Tickets for this enchanting experience are selling fast, so round up your friends and secure your spot today! See the menu: Wicked Oz Menu
For full details & tickets: Get Your Tickets

Paranormal Investigation: Haunted Hanover!
2026-03-07 22:00 - 2026-03-08 03:00 | Hanover Tavern
We’re not normal…we’re Paranormal!
Join Transcend Paranormal for an investigation unlike any other, as we venture hundreds of years into the past…
The evening will begin at Hanover Tavern. The earliest portion of the Tavern being built in 1791, there was a Tavern on the property spanning back to 1733. One of only a few surviving colonial-era Taverns in the United States, the Hanover Tavern hosted such historic figures as George Washington, Lord Cornwallis, Patrick Henry, P.T. Barnum, Marquis de Lafayette, and more. Both Union and Confederate troops utilized the Tavern on their way to and from the battlefields.
Not only will you have the opportunity to investigate Hanover Tavern, but also the Historic Courthouse, Old Stone Jail, the Clerk of Courts building, and the Pamunkey library as well – each a hotbed for paranormal activity.
For years, guests of each of these locations report eerie experiences of ghost apparitions, smells, and unexplainable noises. Are previous Hanover Tavern keepers still roaming the halls? Are prisoners still confined to their cells, locked in time? Find out for yourself!
All Experience Levels are Welcome.
This is a fundraising event! 100% of the proceeds will go directly to the Hanover Tavern Foundation for their continued historic preservation and restoration efforts, as well as educational programming and community outreach!
Tickets are extremely limited for this investigation. Don’t wait! Get Full Details & Tickets

St. Patrick's Day Menu Specials!
2026-03-11 - 2026-03-22 | Hanover Tavern
A menu so good, we’re serving it for two weeks!
Join us for Corned Beef Hash, Black & Tans, and Shepherd’s Pie, along with other delightful takes on Irish cuisine.
View the menu: 2026 St. Patrick’s Week Menu

Speaker Series: "Once We Pledged Forever"
2026-03-12 19:00 - 20:30 | Hanover Tavern
Author & Marine, Ivan Ingraham, returns to Hanover Tavern to discuss his 2025 novel, “Once We Pledged Forever”.

Based on actual events that occurred during and after the author’s twenty-four-year career as a Marine Special Operations (MARSOC) Officer, with intimacy of a memoir and the gritty verisimilitude of historical fiction, “Once We Pledged Forever” is a military adventure tale of betrayal and revenge, the ethical uncertainties of war, and the lifelong consequences of actions taken both under fire and within the military chain of command.
This is a FREE event but registration is appreciated! Reserve Your Seat
Don’t forget to book dinner at Hanover Tavern before the event! 804-537-5050

American Revolution Living History!
2026-03-14 10:00 - 15:00 | Hanover Tavern
Hanover Tavern Foundation and The Virginia Line Regiment invite you to see what life was like for the Revolutionary War soldier in Hanover County.
Learn how soldiers dressed, drilled, and trained for war. See how they lived in camp, what they ate & drank, and how they spent their time when they weren’t preparing for the rigors of combat.
There will be drill and live-fire demonstrations, a soldiering clinic for kids, and experts from Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown will be on hand to teach colonial children’s games throughout the day.
Hanover Tavern Restaurant & Pub will be open and we invite you to bring the family and, while you’re filling your mind, fill your belly as well with brunch or lunch while you’re here! Reservations are recommended. 804-537-5050.

2026 Brunch with the Bunny!
2026-03-21 | Hanover Tavern
Hop along to Hanover Tavern for Brunch with the Bunny!!

Buffet-style Brunch with:
Scrambled Eggs
Western Scrambled Eggs
Bacon
Sausage
Fresh Fruit
Yogurt
Hashbrowns
Sausage Gravy
Biscuits
Jelly & Butter
Seatings at 9am and 11am. Reservations required. 804-537-5050.

Virginia Repertory Theatre presents "The Cottage"
2026-03-27 - 2026-04-26 | Hanover Tavern
Tea’s hot. So is the scandal at The Cottage!
Fresh from its triumphant Broadway run, The Cottage is a wickedly entertaining evening of pure, (un)adulterated fun. When Sylvia Van Kipness decides to expose her love affair to her husband and her lover’s wife—only to discover that they aren’t the only ones having an affair—a series of hilarious misunderstandings escalates into comedic chaos. Spend a weekend filled with razor-sharp wit and outrageous physical comedy in the English countryside, as Victorian propriety takes a hilarious tumble.
Get Your Tickets: Get Tickets
Be sure to make your reservation for lunch or dinner at Hanover Tavern Restaurant & Pub before/after the show! 804-537-5050.

Haunted Hanover Tavern Tour
2026-04-22 20:00 - 21:00 | Hanover Tavern
Join us for a tour of Historic Hanover Tavern as we share tales of paranormal happenings at the Tavern, both new and old.
The tour lasts for approximately 1 hour. This is a walking tour through the Tavern, with 2-3 flights of stairs. We will also be outdoors for a period of the tour, so dress accordingly.
Please arrive 15 minutes early and check-in at the Reception Desk for the tour. Tours will begin promptly on-time.
Tickets are $12 a person and benefit the Hanover Tavern Foundation 501(c)(3).
Advanced tickets required. Get Your Tickets

2026 Antiques at the Tavern
2026-05-01 - 2026-05-03 | Hanover Tavern
Hanover Tavern Foundation is excited to announce its one-of-a-kind Antiques at the Tavern event May 1st – 3rd! Historic Hanover Tavern will host 20 hand-selected dealers -offering for sale a variety of period furniture, ceramics, silver, pottery, jewelry, art, books, linens, folk art, and much more! It promises to be a fun and educational weekend. All proceeds from this event support Hanover Tavern Foundation.

The show opens Friday evening with a reception for those guests who appreciate the opportunity for early shopping in a relaxed setting. There will be music, open bar, and hors d’oeuvres. On Saturday, May 2nd, at 5:30 PM special guest speaker Gordon Lohr, will be lecturing on “Decoys & Carvers of Eastern Shore, Virginia” in the Bradley Theater.

This show promises to be rewarding for existing collectors as well as eye-opening for the curious, new generation of collectors. This will truly be a memorable occasion; one that will become an annual favorite for all collectors, old and new.
Advanced Tickets Available at Hanovertavern.org for all dates, programs, and packages.
Standard tickets available at the door.

Preview Reception Friday, May 1– 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Saturday, May 2– 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, 5:30 PM Guest Lecture by Gordon Lohr
Sunday, May 3 – 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Tickets may be purchased at 2026 Antiques at the Tavern Tickets or by calling the Tavern at (804) 537-5050.
Hanover Tavern is of national importance, serving as host to founding fathers and numerous events that shaped America’s history. Listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and National Register of Historic Places, the Tavern provides on-site and in-classroom educational history programs, exhibits, tours, excellent food, musical and theater performances, wedding venue, and family-oriented special events to all of central Virginia as well as the touring public.

2026 Mother's Day Brunch at Hanover Tavern
2026-05-10 10:30 - 15:30 | Hanover Tavern
Brunch for Mom at Hanover Tavern!
Join us at the Tavern this Mother’s Day for good food, good vibes, and good company. Bring the whole family and enjoy a delicious choice of appetizers, entrees, and desserts made with love to celebrate the amazing moms in our lives. Because Mom deserves a day off—and something tasty on her plate! See the menu: Mother’s Day Brunch Menu
Choose a 2-course (appetizer or dessert/one entree) or 3-course (one choice from each course) option.
Reservations required. 804-537-5050

Paranormal Investigation: Four Locations, One Haunted Evening!
2026-05-16 21:15 - 2026-05-17 02:00 | Hanover Tavern
Join us May 16th to investigate not one, but FOUR locations in one night. The Hanover Tavern, the Old Stone Jail, the Historic Courthouse, and the Hanover Branch Library are all tied together in history; and now you’ll be able to investigate each of them.
The Hanover Tavern: The earliest portion of the Tavern being built in 1791, there was a Tavern on the property spanning back to 1733. One of only a few surviving colonial-era Taverns in the United States, the Hanover Tavern hosted such historic figures as George Washington, Lord Cornwallis, Patrick Henry, P.T. Barnum, Marquis de Lafayette, and more. Both Union and Confederate troops utilized the Tavern on their way to and from the battlefields.
The Old Stone Jail: Built in 1835, the Old Stone Jail was not a place you wanted to spend any time; criminals of all kinds were kept within these walls. The jail consists of 4 rooms; 2 cells occupy the lower floor, one cell on the upper floor, and one room that housed the jail’s warden and his men. It wasn’t until 1916 that glass windows were installed in the building. Prior to this, the only thing protecting inmates indoors from the cold, harsh winters outdoors were iron bars.
The Historic Courthouse: The Third-longest continuous-use courthouse in the United States sits here in Hanover County; the Historic Hanover Courthouse. Built in 1735, the courthouse saw countless cases. Most significantly, this Courthouse played host to Patrick Henry when he argued the Parsons’ Cause case – a spark of the American Revolution. Many troops passed by the Courthouse – both during the Revolutionary War and Civil War. Sustaining mild damage during the American Revolution, the courthouse was repaired in time to see further conflict during the Civil War. The Battle of Hanover Courthouse brought heavy skirmishes to the area on May 27, 1862, and when the Union forces returned to the Courthouse at the end of May 1864, they imprisoned Hanover County’s Clerk of Court.
The Hanover Branch Library: Built in the 1940’s, the Hanover Branch Library resides on land once part of the Hanover Tavern property. Directly at it’s back door lies the Thilman Burial Grounds, where previous Tavern owners and family were laid to rest. Build directly across the street from the Old Stone Jail, the Hanover Branch Library rests on hundreds of years of history.
For years, guests of each of these locations report eerie experiences of ghost apparitions, smells, and un-explainable noises. For the first time ever, we have access to investigate those claims. Are previous Hanover Tavern keepers still roaming the halls? Are inmates still inhabiting the cells of the Old Stone Jail? Or are court cases still being played out to this day in the Historic Courthouse? It’s time to find out for yourself.
We have investigated all of these locations numerous times and have come away with proof of the paranormal on every visit. Guests of these locations often report eerie experiences of ghostly apparitions, smells, and noises that could never be explained.
This is a fundraising investigation! All proceeds of this event directly and entirely benefit Hanover Tavern Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Get Tickets: May 2026 Investigation

Go Behind-the-Scenes of Hanover Tavern!
2026-05-21 18:30 - 20:00 | Hanover Tavern
Behind-the-scenes…what’s back there?
Do you ever wonder about the unseen areas within the Tavern? Curious about the spaces that are “Not Open to the Public” or for “Staff Only”?
Are there secrets? Are there mysteries? Are there features that cannot be seen on a normal tour? Of course, there are!
Explore the inadmissible, hidden spaces with David Deal, the Executive Director of Hanover Tavern Foundation. From basement to attic, the old Tavern has a lot to reveal, if you know where to look. Get tickets: Behind the Scenes Tour Tickets

Tour will include 2-3 flights of stairs and a short time outdoors, so dress accordingly. Long pants and closed-toe shoes preferred. No skirts or heels. Please bring a flashlight as we will explore basement and attic areas.

Chamberlayne Actors Theatre mounts: "George Washington's Teeth"!
2026-06-05 - 2026-06-21 | Hanover Tavern
A Play you can sink your teeth into!

Join us at Hanover Tavern’s Bradley Theater as Chamberlayne Actors Theatre presents “George Washington’s Teeth”!
A group of quirky women in a struggling historical society will stop at nothing to save their museum—including hunting down a pair of the first President’s dentures. A hilarious comedy about history, identity, and doing whatever it takes to stay relevant.
Meet the cast:
Anne Kight Lloyd as Hester
Crystal Oakley as Edie
Anne Eliason as Ann
Kimberly Knight as Louisa
Carson Nealy as Jess
Get your tickets: GWT Tickets
Be sure to make your dinner reservations at Hanover Tavern before or after the show! 804-537-5050 or Reserve a Table

2026 Father's Day Tap Takeover Celebration!
2026-06-21 11:00 - 16:00 | Hanover Tavern
Let’s Celebrate Dad!

Live music from The Blayze Family Band
Craft Beer
Special Menu

Reservations required: 804-537-5050

Explore the Battle of Gaines's Mill: Talk & Walking Tour
2026-06-25 19:00 - 2026-06-27 12:30 | Hanover Tavern
Join Author and Historian Robert E.L. Krick for a Riveting Exploration of the Battle of Gaines’s Mill from the page and the ground!

Step back in time with us at Hanover Tavern as we welcome esteemed author & historian Robert E.L. Krick to delve into his groundbreaking two-volume set on the Battle of Gaines’s Mill. Mr. Krick reveals the intricate circumstances, strategic plans, and tactical maneuvers that shaped this pivotal Civil War battle.
Don’t miss the opportunity to immerse yourself further in the history of the battle on June 27th, when Mr. Krick will lead a 2-2.5 mile walking tour of the battlefield. Gain firsthand insights as he provides detailed on-site information, bringing the battle to life at the very places it unfolded.
Acclaimed by the American Battlefield Trust as the definitive account of Gaines’s Mill, this two-volume set is hailed for its meticulous research, gripping narrative, and insightful tactical analysis. Delve into a generational reference that illuminates the Seven Days Campaign and Civil War military history like never before.
$10/Speaker Series. $100/Walking Tour. Tickets are available for each event separately, but attendees of the walking tour can enjoy the Speaker Series at no extra cost. Act now to secure your spot and support the Hanover Tavern Foundation. Get Tickets: Battle of Gaines’s Mill Talk & Tour
Purchase your tickets today and be part of this unforgettable journey through history.
All proceeds go to support Hanover Tavern Foundation, a 501c3 organization.

Ghosts Walk at Night!
2026-10-23 00:00 - 2026-10-24 00:00
All new 250th Ghosts Walk at Night. Details coming soon.
