Mayor Recognizes Newtown Landmark On 250th Anniversary

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA —Not many businesses in Newtown Borough can match the history of the Temperance House, one of the borough's oldest and most iconic institutions.

To celebrate the Temp's 250th year of operation, Newtown Borough Mayor John Burke recently paid a special visit to The Temp to present the building’s current owner, Kathy Buczek, with a proclamation marking the occasion.

“We ask that the residents of Newtown Borough raise a toast to this iconic building and to join us in this celebration and recognition of this historic milestone,” reads the proclamation.

Buczek, who has owned and operated The Temp for the past six years, has made a special effort to ensure that the building retains its historic charm, grace, elegance and where hospitality is paramount.

Three distinct buildings make up today's Temperance House in Newtown Borough. The older section is on the left. The center section (today's bar) was once an alleyway. And the hotel, far right, was once a butcher shop. (photo by Jeff Werner)

“It’s such an honor to be a part of this place,” said Buczek, who is proud to carry on the Temp's long history and tradition in the community.

As the building’s latest proprietor, Buczek is making her own mark on the history of the building, working behind the scenes to create an even better Temperance House.

Renovations are currently ongoing at the property, which will eventually see the bar area transformed into The Tap and Barrel and fine dining introduced in the front dining area.

After renovating the gathering room in the back, The Temp recently introduced a comedy cabaret and open mic nights, brought in live entertainment and began offering line dancing.

Her other plans include creating a small speakeasy lounge between the bar area and the hotel where guest can enjoy specialty cocktails, listen to Frank Sinatra, play games and be surrounded by historic pictures of the Temp.

“I love this building and what Kathy has done with it,” said Mayor Burke. “It’s got that vibe now that it deserves.”

Although some historians believe there may have been a tavern at the location 50 years earlier, Andrew and Nancy McMinn built the first part of the Temperance House at 5 South State Street, circa 1772, according to the Newtown Historic Association.

Part of the building was used as a tavern and another section as a schoolhouse, where Andrew McMinn taught school. McMinn became a well-known figure in Newtown, and later served as a sergeant in Capt. Henry Van Horn's militia company during the Revolutionary War.

General Francis Murray and Jolly and Mercy Yardley Longshore ran the inn during post-Revolutionary days. Innkeeper William R. Hallowell renamed the hostelry, "The Temperance Hotel," in 1848. The inn later became known as "The Niagara Temperance House" under proprietor Joseph Willard, complementing Edward Hicks' sign depicting a moose standing by Niagara Falls.

In celebration of its 250th, modern day patrons and friends of The Temp recreated an iconic photograph celebrating the end of Prohibition. (Contributed)

Samuel Willard later named it, “The Temperance Hotel Oyster and Ice Cream Bar." The name was reduced by common usage over the years to simply “The Temperance House" and then to “The Temp".

In the walkway between the 1700s part of the tavern and the 1800s bar area, a part of the outside stone wall is visible.

“If you look at this wall there’s actually horse hair protruding because they used it as a binder,” Buczek points out as she takes the mayor on a quick tour.

The floors in the 1700s tavern are original and may have been walked on by George Washington himself who visited The Temp during the American Revolution, she points out.

“It is documented that George Washington held meetings in this room with his generals before crossing the Delaware River,” said Buczek. “The building is also believed to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad.”

In the front room, Buczek points out the walls, which are decorated with an original Edward Hicks
mural. The Quaker minister and artist painted the mural while staying at The Temp toward the end of his life. Hicks, who died at the Temp in 1849, is most known for his “Peaceable Kingdom” paintings. The mural was restored in 1986 by Carol Nagel, a descendent of Hicks.

Today, the Temperance House is a full service restaurant, bar, hotel, meeting place and an historic icon in the downtown business district.

The original Temperance House before the additions of the bar and hotel.