Bonnell's Tavern, where N.J.'s first regiment of militia formed, could host a tavern, restaurant, and maybe a brewery or distillery.
CLINTON -- A tavern that served apple and corn whiskey during the American Revolution could open again, if Henry Bonnell has his way.
Bonnell's Tavern sat at the crossroads of the Revolution. The first regiment of Minutemen in New Jersey formed there in 1775.
"The more I read about the Revolution, the more I realize how much we need to save this," said Bonnell, standing in front of the building that his family has "owned forever."
His father "spent 50 years maintaining this," Bonnell said during a recent visit to the Hunterdon County site, where Interstate 78's Exit 15 ramp meets Route 513. He's taken on that task, putting on a new roof in November.
"In the last three to four years, a light has finally gone on with me," Bonnell said. "I can mow the grass, fix the roof, but to really save this building, it needs to be commercially viable."
To that end, Bonnell has plans to renovate the structure into a tavern and restaurant. He's had informal talks with officials in Union Township and Clinton, since the property straddles the two municipalities. And he's hired an architect to draw up plans, which can be viewed on a new website, bonnelltavern.com. Soon he'll be applying with Clinton for site plan approval, along with a host of variances.
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When Interstate 78 went in it divided the tavern property and the structure, originally built on the main road from Easton to New Brunswick, now backs right up on the highway. Bonnell recalled living there in 1982-83 after graduating from Stevens Institute of Technology. "I felt it shaking," he said.
He'd like to pick the structure up from its foundation, move it farther from the highway and closer to Route 173, and turn it so it faces toward Clinton. He's considering the possibility of putting a brewery or distillery in the basement. There's enough space for 48 parking spaces, he said.
"Moving it is not going to be the hard part," Bonnell said. "What's going to help me is finding someone who's historically inclined." He's looking for "somebody who can run the tavern and restaurant, and someone who can help finance it."
Leading a tour through the building, Bonnell spoke of its potential while acknowledging its current condition. "Back in the 1950s collectors gutted it, so it's really in sad shape," he said.
An article about the tavern that ran in the 1930s mentioned the ancient, handmade doorknobs and locks. It was like an invitation to looters, Bonnell said. He's happy they left behind the original trim and one fireplace surround, which could be the model for the building's other fireplaces.
Bonnell's Tavern was named among Hunterdon's most endangered historic structures in 2007. "I have a friend in the New York Historical Society who says there's nothing of any historical interest left," Bonnell said. "I don't agree."
Walking through the gutted rooms, he pointed out horse hair in the mud-wall construction, the mortice-and-tenon joints held in place by pegs. "The main part of the house is in phenomenal shape structurally," he said.
His plan is to renovate the main part of the structure and tavern, and replace a kitchen that's not worth saving. Porches would be added at the front and sides.
Talking about the building, Bonnell gets caught up in the history of the place. The Provincial Congress of New Jersey ordered in August 1775 that militias be formed. Tavern owner "Abraham Bonnell and Col. Charles Stewart came back and assembled the minutemen here," Henry Bonnell said, glancing around the tavern.
"This history is a huge burden. I feel it," Bonnell said. "My brother wants nothing to do with this, but I just feel the need to save it. It's kind of an emotional thing for me."
Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find The Hunterdon County Democrat on Facebook.