Bet you didn’t know that this martial arts studio was once the Green Tree Tavern. This is not just any old building. The Green Tree Tavern has a long history in Philadelphia. It is located in the Fishtown neighborhood.
The Green Tree Tavern was also known as the Marlborough Inn. It earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The tavern claimed it was the oldest operating tavern in Philadelphia. It was supposedly established in 1849. Sadly, the Green Tree Tavern is now closed.
Let’s rewind further. The Green Tree Tavern was built in 1748. Daniel Pastorius and his wife Sarah built it. Daniel was the grandson of Francis Daniel Pastorius. Francis founded Germantown. Look for a stone near the roof. You can see the letters D.S.P. and the date 1748. These are Daniel and Sarah Pastorius’s initials.
The Green Tree Tavern had other names. It was called The Saddler’s Arms. Some knew it as The Hornet’s Nest. This came from a large hornet’s nest kept there. After Daniel Pastorius died, Sarah remarried. Her second husband was Daniel Mackinett. Then it was called Mackinett’s Tavern. After Sarah outlived her second husband, it became the Widow Mackinett’s Tavern.
Interestingly, the Green Tree Tavern played a role in education. Citizens met here on December 6, 1759. They founded the Union School of Germantown. This later became Germantown Academy.
Even Thomas Jefferson knew of the Green Tree Tavern. He wrote about Germantown in 1793. He mentioned getting a bed in a tavern’s public room. He later found lodging for himself and James Madison. He mentioned a good tavern across the street.
The First United Methodist Church now owns the Green Tree Tavern. The church uses it for offices. The church moved the Green Tree Tavern in 1930. It was moved 100 feet to add the Memorial Chapel.
The Green Tree Tavern has witnessed many historical events. It was a gathering place for Tories during the Revolutionary War. General Lafayette was to have a dinner here in 1825. The dinner was moved to Cliveden due to the number of guests.
The Green Tree Tavern has quite a story to tell. From a tavern, to a martial arts studio, its walls whisper tales of Philadelphia’s past.