About Us

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Long ago, in the heart of colonial Pennsylvania, a visionary named Alexander Schaeffer stood at the crossroads of two bustling trade routes. It was 1746, and with hammer in hand and hope in heart, he laid the foundation for what would become the Franklin House Taverna beacon of rest, revelry, and resilience.

The village he founded, Heidelberg, soon pulsed with life, and at its center stood the tavern, originally named the "King George." Teamsters, drovers, and freighters found solace within its sturdy walls, warmed by hearty meals and Schaeffer's own spirits, distilled from the bounty of his farm. The tavern was more than a pit stop-it was the soul of the settlement, shaping the identity of what would come to be known as Schaffer's Town.

As whispers of revolution stirred the colonies, the tavern's name changed with the tides of sentiment-from "King George" to "George Washington," and finally to the "Franklin House.!" Each name etched a chapter of patriotism and transformation into its weathered beams.

In 1883, a new steward, John Graybill, breathed fresh life into the tavern. He crowned it with a Mansard roof, added a third floor, and built a porch with a second-floor balcony. Lodge meetings echoed through its halls, and the Schafferstown Band filled the air with music, turning the tavern into a stage for community spirit.

The 20th century brought electricity and indoor plumbing, modern comforts that danced gracefully with the tavern's colonial charm. Guests marveled at the seamless blend of past and present, where flickering lanterns met electric light, and whispers of history mingled with laughter.

Today, the Franklin House Tavern stands not just as a building, but as a living chronicle. Its walls remember the footsteps of revolutionaries, the melodies of local bands, and the clinking of mugs raised in celebration. It is a place where history breathes, inviting every visitor to become part of its enduring story!