Tavern Night Returning To Newtown's Historic Half-Moon Inn

NEWTOWN, PA — Tavern Night is returning to the Half-Moon Inn in Newtown this spring, with the Newtown Historic Association inviting guests to an evening built around colonial-era food, music and socializing. The event is set for Saturday, April 11, from 6 to 11 p.m. at the historic inn.

According to the historians, the Half-Moon Inn at Centre Avenue and Court Street will be turned into a colonial-style gathering place for the fundraiser. The event will include period-appropriate ale and wine, live music, and a catered menu prepared by Joseph Garvey of Joey G’s and Joseph’s Catering.

The evening is scheduled to begin with bar service and a social hour at 6 p.m., followed by a traditional colonial dinner at 7 p.m. Period dancing is planned for 8 p.m., and a sing-along in the Tavern Room is scheduled for 9 p.m. A silent auction featuring local items will run during the event.

“Tavern Night is more than just a dinner; it’s an immersive experience that celebrates Newtown’s rich heritage,” says the NHA, adding that attendees are encouraged to wear colonial dress, though it is optional.

Proceeds from the event will support the preservation projects of the Newtown Historical Association and its educational programming. According to the organization, its work focuses on preserving Newtown’s history and heritage through historic sites, archives and public events.

Reservations are listed at $76 for NHA members and $93 for non-members. The organization encourages guests to join before booking in order to receive the member rate and other membership benefits. Membership information is available through the association’s website.

Space is limited, according to the announcement, and tickets are being sold online through the Newtown Historic Association event page. The fundraiser is one of the group’s public programs aimed at connecting the community with the town’s past while raising money for ongoing preservation work.

For residents interested in attending, the event offers a chance to step inside one of Newtown’s historic settings for a night centered on local history.

The Court Inn (known as the Half-moon Inn during the mid- 18th century) is one of the oldest and most historic buildings in Newtown. It was the original home of Margaret and Joseph Thornton, built in 1733 as a tavern, and was a popular gathering place when Newtown was the county seat. The Court Inn, originally called the Half-moon Inn, was built in 1733 by Joseph Thornton on part of five acres of ground originally purchased by four trustees, appointed by the General Assembly “to build a new Court House and Prison in the County of Bucks”. The trustees purchased the ground from John Walley on July 17, 1725 for twelve pounds, five shillings.