Union Oyster House

'Evening, everyone!

I hope you've been receiving alerts for my posts; 

there were no comments on B&B Friday,

and only a couple on my previous post.

I know Blogger can get kind of iffy at times,

so perhaps they didn't show up in your notifications.

Anywho, today I was curious as to what the oldest 

contiunally operating restaurant in New England was.

So I did a little web browsing, and discovered it to be

Union Oyster House

in Boston, Massachusetts!

Not only is Union Oyster House the oldest 

operating restaurant in New England, but it is also

the oldest operating restaurant in the entire United States!

The restaurant has been in business since 1826, 

but the building dates back to more than 250 years.

It was initially the Hopestill Capen's fancy dress goods business 

where in 1771, the oldest newspaper in the 

U.S. (The Massachusetts Spy) was first published.

When the war offically broke out in 1775, it became the
headquarters of the first paymaster of the Continental Army.
Afterward, in 1796, the prince of France lived on the second floor,

earning a living by teaching French to Boston's high society.

And finally, in 1826, it became the Atwood and Bacon Oyster House.

"The new owners installed the fabled semi-circular Oyster Bar — where the greats of Boston paused for refreshment. It was at the Oyster Bar that Daniel Webster, a constant customer, daily drank his tall tumbler of brandy and water with each half-dozen oysters, seldom having less than six plates.

The toothpick was first used in the United States at the Union Oyster House. Enterprising Charles Forster of Maine first imported the picks from South America. To promote his new business he hired Harvard boys to dine at the Union Oyster House and ask for toothpicks.

A college president was salad man here. Jack Coleman, President of Pennsylvania's Haverford College worked in total anonymity for a few months during his sabbatical when he secretly sampled some of America's rigorous jobs and lifestyles.
The Kennedy Clan has patronized the Union Oyster House for years. J.F.K. loved to feast in privacy in the upstairs dining room. His favorite booth "The Kennedy Booth" has since been dedicated in his memory."

 

 

 

 Yum!

♥