Dutchess County Historical Society Fundraising Auction Ending 11/13

#44 – Private Tour for up to Four People of The Old Drovers Inn with Light Refreshments, Dover Plains, NY

Enjoy a guided tour for four of "The Old Drovers Inn" in the town of Dover. Standing on the old State Road for over 250 years, this time capsule from the colonial era still exudes the same charm and dignified class. After your private tour, enjoy some light refreshments and discuss your impressions of the stately hotel. History of the Inn: In 1750, John and Ebenezer Preston opened the doors of The Old Drovers Inn, which was then called the Clear Water Tavern. This watering hole catered to the desires of the cattle drovers – a group of professional middle men who purchased herds of cattle and swine from New England farmers. They would drive animals down post roads to the New York City markets, and sell them “for as good a price as they could get.” These New England “cowboys” were a sporty lot who liked their rum and always seemed to have an abundance of ready cash gleaned from their lucrative trade. They supplemented from time to time with the rewards of a midnight gathering at the card table. As their financial prominence became even greater, they hired others to handle the tedious business of keeping the herds moving while the drovers themselves galloped from Inn to Inn along the route. One of the six bedrooms of the Inn is called the Meeting Room because it was used for public meetings. It was in this room that the Town of Dover separated from the Town of Pawling in 1807. The Inn remained in the Preston Family until it was sold to the Potter family in 1910. In 1962, the Inn served as a romantic hideaway for Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton after the filming of “Cleopatra.” Taylor was still married to Eddie Fisher at the time, so the couple needed a romantic hideaway. They rented all the rooms at the Old Drovers Inn. It offered an idyllic and secret haven for the duo, who later married. In 1988, the Inn was sold to Kemper Peacock and Alice Pitcher. Together they brought the Inn to a new level and made Old Drovers a designation retreat for many Manhattanites and people worldwide. It became a favorite stop for the Berkshire-bound, and the tap room was noted for its generous martini. Value $200. https://www.olddroversinn.com/. If this item isn't for you, please consider becoming a Member or making a donation to DCHS here: https://dchsny.org/short/.

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