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Community Corner

Gabreil Daveis Tavern Hosts Annual Holiday Open House

The 250-year old tavern opens its doors for community caroling, festivities and more.

The historic Gabreil Daveis Tavern in Glendora hosted its annual Christmas Open House and Community Carol Sing-a-Long on Sunday. About 200 local residents attended and joined in singing, eating and tours of the 250-year-old tavern, that served as lodging for weary travelers in the pre-revolutionary war period. The event was organized by the Gloucester Township Historic and Scenic Preservation Committee.  The committee has organized the celebration for over 30 years. 

Inside the Tavern, the rooms on the lower floors were decorated by various local groups. The decorations will stay up through the second Sunday in December, when the Tavern closes until the Spring. 

The parents' association decorated the kitchen. The dining room was decorated by the Timber Birch Women’s Club. The Broadmoor Women’s Club decorated the living room. And the game room was made festive by the Glendora Elementary School PTA.  All decorations stayed true to what would have been available 250 years ago--borrowing greens from nature and incorporating handmade items.  

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In the late-1700s,  the main decorations were holly, laurel, and garland, because these were the only plants that looked good during the middle of winter.

Things were a little more minimal than today; in isolated areas, celebrations were festive, but definitely more low key. 

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“There just were not a lot of neighbors," said Vicki Robins, a music teacher at Gloucester Township and Glendora Elementary Schools. Robins directed the 4th grade choir and the 5th grade recorder club in a concert on the lawn of the Tavern. 

The 4th and 5th graders have been studying the history of New Jersey since the start of the school year. This event, said Robins, is the culmination of their studies each year. 

“We try to put a little bit of history in each song,” said Robins. Songs included ‘Winter in the Country,’ ‘Deck the Halls,’ ‘Auld Lang Syne,’ and ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas.’ Students, dressed in period costumes, sang, danced and played music. 

Also on hand were the Boy Scouts from Troop 811, who maintained a bonfire on the grounds.

“We love having so many people come out to this event and see the Tavern," said Judi Sarama, the chair and organizer of the celebration. “Once they find out it is here, they come back over and over again.”

The Gabriel Davies Tavern will be open for tours on Sunday, December 3 and Sunday, December 10. It will then close for the season until March. 

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