We drove over the bridge to Salem recently to visit the Peabody Essex Museum on a rainy day. Naturally, we were looking for lunch and libations afterward. We walked a very short distance to the Village Tavern on Essex Street. Our first impression upon walking in was to be reminded of the pubs we visited in Ireland. Several rooms, eclectic wall decor, large bar area all took us back to Ireland. Jim had pretzel bites and we ordered a pizza (delicious). I am always drawn to old newspapers and there was a front page from 1914 in a Salem newspaper describing some of the aftermath of what came to be known as the Great Salem Fire of 1914. It destroyed hundreds of buildings and left 18,000 people homeless over a 2 day period in late June. One of the articles on the front page described a commission being set up to assist residents and business owners with recovery and John B. Tivnan was named to head that effort. Low and behold, John B. Tivnan is on my family tree on the Gloucester side! I just happened to see this wall hanging, took a closer look and found a Gloucester tie. More to come on the Tivnan family connections. What a day! And the food was just right. If you’re over that way, check it out.
Good Morning Gloucester 