Hooray and Huzzah

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COCKTAILS

HOORAY AND HUZZAH

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS POH

I could never totally grasp the level of trepidation fisherman felt when the shad abandoned the waters of the Delaware; but after more than two years without a fix of my favorite fish, I have a much deeper sense of those poor angler’s anxieties. But thankfully all that has changed. It is hooray and huzzah, for the shad once more spawn in our waters, and the BLACK BASS has returned to Lumberville!

Black Bass Hotel in Lumberville, PA as seen in American Public House Review

THE QUINTESSENTIAL COLONIAL TAVERN

The bra at The Black Bass Hotel in Lumberville, PA as seen in American public House Review

THE BAR AT THE BLACK BASS HOTEL IN LUMBERVILLE, PA

The dinig room at the Black Bass Hotel in Lumberville, PA as seen in American Public House Review

THE LOVELY DINING ROOM PROVIDES A STUNNING VIEW OF THE ROEBLING FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS THE DELAWARE RIVER.

My wife, Fran and I were lucky enough to take a quiet tour of the property before the official reopening. After a bit of camera work we adjourned to the main bar for a couple of pints. We thoroughly enjoyed the General Washington’s Tavern Porter from Yards Brewing in Philadelphia. Perhaps the establishment is finally softening on its Tory tradition. To the best of my knowledge this will be the first time his Excellency has made his presence felt beyond the threshold of the tavern’s door.

Taps at the Black Bass hotel in Lumberville, PA as seen in American Public House Review

FRAN IS LAVISH IN HER PRAISE FOR THE GENERAL WASHINGTON'S TAVERN PORTER FROM YARD'S BREWING. YARDS HAS INTRODUCED TASTY ELIXIRS BREWED FROM ORIGINAL COLONIAL RECIPES.

In an article that appeared in our premier issue in 2007, I described the BLACK BASS as the quintessential colonial tavern. I am genuinely pleased to report that after many months of challenging construction and complex engineering, the Bass will once again function as one of the finest historic properties in America.

A view of the Lantern Room at The Black Bass Hotel in Lumberville, PA as seen in American Public House Review

A VIEW OF THE AGREEABLE AND COZY LANTERN ROOM

Another view of the lantern room at the Black Bass Hotel in Lumberville, PA as seen in American Public House Review

Another view of the lantern room at the Black Bass Hotel in Lumberville, PA as seen in American Public House Review

AND ANOTHER

John and Barbara Hencheck, two of the people who were instrumental in guiding this process of painstaking rehabilitation, joined us at the taps somewhere around our second pint of porter. For the next hour we talked about sedition, separation and secession. During this brief encounter we shared a journey that began with Continentals crossing the Delaware and ended with Confederates crossing the Susquehanna.

There are but a handful of public spaces left in this country where people can gather to raise a glass in those same rooms where those that fought to form and protect this nation took their comfort. American Public House Review salutes all those who make it their work to preserve and promote these significant sites. And to the staff and management of the BLACK BASS HOTEL it’s another hale and hearty – Hooray and Huzzah!

Original canalside bar at the Black Bass Hotel in Lumberville, PA as seen in American Public House Review

THE ORIGINAL CANAL SIDE BAR

TAVERN ROOM TABLES

Portrait of Winston Churchill at the Black Bass Hotel in Lumberville, PA as seen in American Public House Review

THE BLACK BASS HOTEL HAS ALWAYS EXPRESSED AN ENGLISH COLONIAL HERITAGE. IT WAS A WELL KNOWN LOYALIST HANG-OUT DURING OUR REVOLUTION, AND ALTHOUGH NOW A BASTION OF PATRIOTIC AMERICANS, IT STILL EMBRACES A VESTIGE OF ITS RED-COATED LEGACY.

SStairway at the Black Bass Hotel in Lumberville, PA as seen in American Public House Review

BEAUTIFUL DETAIL ABOUNDS THROUGHOUT

Glasses at the Black Bass Hotel in Lumberville, PA as seen in American Public House Review

AUTHENTICITY; YES, BUT WITH ELEGANCE AS WELL

Black Bass

THE BLACK BASS HOTEL

3774 RIVER ROAD

LUMBERVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA 18933

(215) 297-9260

www.blackbasshotel.com

DIRECTIONS

All content is subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. Email: ed.petersen@americanpublichousereview.com for permission before use.