Central Connecticut State University hosted the 2026 CLASS Tavern, a live demonstration that took students on a journey through colonial America via presentations and performances in Bellin A and B, on April 20. The Carol A. Ammon College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) organized the event.
According to historian Jen Busa of the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History, taverns were more than places to drink. They served as key centers of entertainment and dining.
Dancing, as depicted in the painting Barroom Dancing by John Lewis Krimmel, was a common activity. However, innkeepers could face fines if gatherings became disorderly.
Busa also explained that rope walking, which resembled circus-style performances, was illegal at the time. Because of restrictions like this, some performers reinvented themselves as educators to continue sharing their craft.
Busa stressed the importance of tavern owners, who were expected to be reputable citizens appointed by local authorities.
Operating an inn was often a family effort involving wives and children. One example was Mrs. Elizabeth Hulkins, whose husband died in 1769. She continued running the tavern with the help of her 11 children.
Food and beverages from the colonial period were also explored during the event. Demonstrations included drinks such as “flip,” which was prepared using a heated iron, and “syllabub,” which was made with citrus fruit. Taverns also served meals for travelers and townspeople alike.
Beyond everyday life, CLASS Tavern also addressed broader historical topics. CCSU professor Matt Warshauer discussed colonial laws, including Connecticut’s “Blue Laws,” and the consequences of the French and Indian War.
The program also featured an enactment of Alexander Hamilton that examined his formative years and his connections to slavery.
Through a combination of research and reenactment, the CLASS Tavern offered students an immersive look at colonial life, demonstrating that taverns were far more than social gathering places — they were central to the economic and cultural life of early America.
