A Tavern at the Colonial Site? Mayor Proposes Historical Cafe

Summerville Town Council's budget retreat is often a time for big ideas and plans. 

Friday at Brosnan Forest, Mayor Bill Collins presented a plan to re-establish one of the three former tavern locations at the Colonial Dorchester Historical Site — effectively bringing history alive and serving it with a side of food and drink. 


There were once three taverns serving the small colonial community on the Ashley River. Collins' idea would take one of those locations and build a historically accurate tavern. The staff would also be in historical attire, he added. 

Collins' presentation came during the 2014 Hospitality Tax Budget discussion. Collins said he'd also like to extend CARTA's bus route up to the site to help bring tourists from downtown.

"It has a lot of potential in terms of promoting tourism," Collins said. 

But the idea isn't slated for 2014. Collins said the project could come as soon as 2015 or 2016. Friday's presentation was just that: a presentation of an idea, he said in a phone call to Patch. 

The state is looking to install a visitor's center at the site. The decision for the center will be made in 2014, according to Collins.