Nestled in the heart of colonial Boston, the Green Dragon Tavern was more than just a place to grab a cup of coffee or a pint of ale—it was the pulsing epicenter of a revolution. Known as the "Headquarters of the Revolution," this unassuming brick building on Union Street became the clandestine meeting spot for the Sons of Liberty, where fiery debates and daring plans, like the Boston Tea Party, were brewed alongside their coffee. From its copper dragon sign swaying above the entrance to the Freemason gatherings in its upper rooms, the Green Dragon Tavern stands as a testament to the spirit of defiance that shaped America. Let’s step back into the 1760s and uncover the story of this legendary haunt that fueled a nation’s fight for freedom.
Origins and Establishment
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Location: The Green Dragon Tavern was situated on what was then called Green Dragon Lane in Boston’s North End, now known as Union Street. It was a prominent fixture in a bustling commercial and social area near the harbor.
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Founding Date: The exact founding date is debated among historians. Some sources suggest it was established as early as 1654 under the name "Baker’s Arms," while others point to a more definitive presence by 1712 when it was operated by Richard Pullen. By 1697, records indicate John Cary was keeping the tavern, showing it was active well before the 18th century.
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Structure: The original building was a large, colonial-style structure, primarily made of brick. It stood at about 0.75 acres, making it one of the larger buildings in Boston at the time. It had three floors in the back and two in the front, with a distinctive copper dragon sign mounted on an iron crane above the entrance, giving it its name.
Ownership and Evolution
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Early Ownership: The property was inherited by Mehitable (Minot) Cooper from her uncle, William Stoughton, in 1701. Stoughton had acquired it before June 1676. By 1705, it was valued at 650 pounds, indicating its significance.
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Mid-18th Century: In 1743, it was sold by Mehitable’s son, William Cooper, to William Douglas, a physician and pamphleteer, who lived there and called it his "mansion house." After Douglas’s death in 1752, it passed to his sister, who sold it in 1766 to the St. Andrew’s Lodge of Freemasons.
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Freemason Era: The Freemasons, under leaders like Joseph Warren and later John Hancock, used the upper floors for their meetings, renaming it briefly as "Freemasons’ Arms" and adding a square-and-compass symbol to the facade. The basement continued to function as a public tavern.
Role in the American Revolution
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Headquarters of the Revolution: The Green Dragon Tavern earned its reputation as the "Headquarters of the Revolution," a term famously coined by Daniel Webster. It became a central meeting place for revolutionary groups due to its discreet location and the Freemasons’ involvement.
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Sons of Liberty: This secret society, including figures like Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, John Hancock, Joseph Warren, James Otis, and Benjamin Edes (publisher of the Boston Gazette), frequently gathered here. The basement tavern provided a covert space for planning.
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Boston Tea Party: One of its most famous associations is with the planning of the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773. The Sons of Liberty met here to organize the protest against the Tea Act, which saw colonists, disguised as Native Americans, dump tea into Boston Harbor.
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Paul Revere’s Ride: In 1774, Paul Revere reportedly overheard British plans to seize colonial munitions, prompting his famous ride to Lexington and Concord on April 18, 1775. This intelligence was gathered at the Green Dragon, and he was dispatched from there to warn Hancock and Adams.
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Constitutional Resolutions: In January 1788, mechanics and artisans met at the tavern to draft resolutions supporting the adoption of the U.S. Constitution, a key moment in post-revolutionary governance.
Cultural and Social Significance
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Social Hub: Before its revolutionary fame, the Green Dragon was a community gathering spot where locals socialized, shared news, and debated. Coffee, tea, chocolate, rum, and ale were likely served, reflecting colonial drinking habits.
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Revolutionary Spirit: Its transformation into a political epicenter mirrored Boston’s growing unrest. It fostered a culture of resistance and unity, hosting intellectual discourse that shaped colonial identity and opposition to British rule.
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Patrons: Beyond revolutionaries, it attracted merchants, sailors, and tradesmen, making it a cross-section of colonial society. Its proximity to the harbor facilitated rapid dissemination of news from incoming ships.
Physical Description and Symbolism
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The Dragon Sign: The copper dragon sign was a striking feature, symbolizing the tavern’s identity. After the original was lost, replicas were made, including a sandstone version in 1856 and a bronze one discovered in 1947, now preserved by the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library.
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Architecture: The brick building’s size and layout—public tavern below, meeting rooms above—made it ideal for both social and secretive purposes.
Decline and Demolition
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Later Years: By 1818, the Freemasons moved their headquarters to the Exchange Coffee House, and the tavern reverted to its Green Dragon name. In 1824, Dr. John Collins Warren noted it was subdivided into small apartments for the poor, signaling its decline.
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Demolition: In 1828 (some sources say 1832), the original structure was demolished to widen Union Street as Boston modernized. Its contents were sold off, and a warehouse replaced it.
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Commemoration: On August 19, 1892, a plaque was placed at the site, reading: "On this spot stood THE GREEN DRAGON TAVERN The secret meet place of the Sons of Liberty, And in the words of Webster, the Headquarters of the Revolution."
Legacy and Modern Revival
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Historical Legacy: The Green Dragon symbolizes Boston’s revolutionary fervor and its role as the "Cradle of Liberty." Its influence extended beyond events to the collective consciousness that fueled American independence.
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Modern Tavern: In 1993, a new Green Dragon Tavern opened at 11 Marshall Street, near the original site but not on it. This modern pub, while not historically connected, honors the legacy with a plaque and a nod to its revolutionary past. It remains a popular spot for locals and tourists, serving Irish-American fare and seafood.
Additional Notes
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Freemason Connection: The St. Andrew’s Lodge, formed in the tavern’s "Long Room" by 1756, was a counterpoint to the more Loyalist-leaning St. John’s Lodge, highlighting internal colonial divisions.
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Cultural Impact: The tavern inspired later works, like Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s "Tales of a Wayside Inn," though that poem refers to a different inn. Its lore endures in Boston’s identity as a revolutionary city.