McCrady's Tavern and Long Room

McCrady's Tavern and Long Room is a three-story brick building in downtown Charleston featuring a slate roof and basement level. The Long Room occupies most of the second floor and was designed as a large assembly hall for gatherings.

Edward McCrady, a barber and veteran of the Revolutionary War, purchased the tavern in 1778 and expanded it over the following years. The Long Room was added during this expansion period and became a center for public gatherings.

The Long Room served as a gathering place where Charlestonians held public meetings and celebrations that shaped local life and decision-making. Today visitors can experience how the space was designed to bring people together for important civic and social moments.

The building sits in a busy downtown area with good walkability and easy pedestrian access from nearby streets. Visitors should be prepared for narrow staircases and low doorframes typical of historic structures from this era.

While Charleston had numerous colonial-era taverns with large assembly rooms, this is the only one that survives today. Its preservation makes it a rare example of how these social spaces were built and used in the 18th century.