Sycamore Tavern

Sycamore Tavern is a one-and-a-half-story timber building with weathered wood siding and two brick chimneys located near Montpelier within Hanover County. It sits within the Montpelier Historic District and has served multiple purposes across different periods of its existence.

Built before 1804, the structure operated as the fourth stagecoach stop on the Old Mountain Road connecting Richmond to Charlottesville. During the 1800s, it served as an important waypoint for travelers moving between these two cities.

The building served as a gathering place along a historic travel route, where local residents and travelers met during their journeys through the region. It holds a connection to Virginia's literary heritage through its later transformation into a space for preserving local stories and family records.

The building is part of a protected historic district and visitors should check access conditions in advance before planning a visit. The location sits in a rural area and is easily accessible by car for those exploring the region.

A reverend named Silas Shelburn served simultaneously as both preacher and innkeeper, creating an unusual position that mixed spiritual guidance with hospitality. This dual role reflected how responsibilities toward community members were distributed in rural 19th-century America.