Wyman Tavern Museum

The Wyman Tavern is one of Keene's most historic houses and has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built more than two centuries ago, the Historical Society currently maintains the Tavern as a period house museum representing the periods from 1760 to 1820.

The Tavern was built by Captain Isaac Wyman in 1762 and operated as a tavern by the Wyman family for 40 years. The first meeting of the trustees of Dartmouth College under President Eleazar Wheelock was held here on October 22, 1770. It was also from this tavern that 29 minutemen started their march to Lexington and Concord in April of 1775 under the command of Captain Wyman, a veteran of the Indian Wars.

Guided tours of the Wyman Tavern Museum are conducted from May to mid November. In addition to tours, the HSCC also sponsors a summer exhibit, the Wyman Tavern Lecture Series on Early American Life in Cheshire County, summer camps, family programs, a summer festival, and living history events. There is a $3.00 admission fee per person to visit the tavern, with Historical Society of Cheshire County members admitted free.

Museum Hours

The Wyman Tavern is currently closed for the season. It will reopen for the 2013 season on May 7th.

The Tavern will be open during its 2013 summer season between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday from June 7 to August 31 and by appointment. Spring (May) and fall (September & October) tours of the Tavern are by appointment only. To schedule a tour or for further information on the Wyman Tavern, summer events, school tours, or reenactments, please contact HSCC at 603 352-1895 or by email.

The Wyman Tavern Museum is located at 339 Main Street in downtown Keene, New Hampshire.

School Groups

Guided school group tours of the Wyman Tavern Museum are scheduled during the months of May, June, September, and October. Group leaders may also wish to consider combining their Wyman Tavern tour with a visit to the Historical Society and the Horatio Colony House Museum. HSCC offers several interactive activities for students along with our permanent and feature exhibits. The Horatio Colony House Museum also offers guided tours and student oriented activities. All three facilities are located on Main Street and within a short walking distance from each other. If you need transportation help to visit our museums, HSCC and the Horatio Colony House Museum have a Transportation Fund that covers the cost of a school bus for a day long experience at our three museums.

Summer Camps and Family Programs at the Tavern

During the summer months, HSCC offers week-long camps and Friday Afternoon at the Tavern, which is a series of summer programs for children and families to participate in an activity, game, or craft that was part of life when the Wyman Family operated a Tavern in Keene.