In 1967 the Rockingham County Historical Society acquired Wright Tavern as a restoration project. The tavern is located in the picturesque village of Wentworth, which was founded in 1798 around the county courthouse. The town is today the smallest county seat in the state and its single street is lined with several antebellum homes and two fine early church buildings. The atmosphere of a nineteenth century village has been preserved and provides the proper setting for the restored Wright Tavern.

The tavern was owned and operated by members of the Wright family for more than a century. James Wright , who settled on the Haw River in southern Rockingham County, received a license to keep a tavern in his dwelling in 1783. His son William (1762-1824) moved to Wentworth shortly after it was founded. He then constructed the original part of the Wright Tavern in 1816. Descendants of William Wright continued to operate the tavern until the mid-1920's. By marriage the property passed, in the late nineteenth century to the Reid family, who change the name of the tavern to the Reid House.

As the County Seat, Wentworth was the center of political activity and most of the candidates for office visited the community. The Wright Tavern was the nearest lodging to the Courthouse and the only known tavern serving meals in the village. The Wright Tavern had a wide reputation for fine food, and for more than a century the lawyers and political leaders enjoyed the hospitality, discussing cases and politics many afternoons and evenings.

The dog-run or open center hall plan was a typical architectural style for log buildings in North Carolina. Wright Tavern is a rare example of a frame construction dog-run building and the finest existing example of this plan in North Carolina. The dog-run passage is the result of early alterations to the original two-story, side hall, four bay house (circa 1816). The interior finish of the entire building includes interesting mantels, hand-carved trim, fine wainscot and excellent examples of graining. On the grounds are an antebellum log smokehouse, a grain crib, and a kitchen in which demonstrations of open hearth cooking are held.

Tours of historic Wright Tavern are available by appointment only. Society members also provide tours and old-fashioned cooking demonstrations for school groups upon request. Call the Society at 336-342-5901 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Front Room		The Parlor
Antique Piano		Hand Painted Wood Grain
Dining Room		Decorative Mantle
Handcrafted Furniture		View From Family Room
Front Boarding Room		Family Room
Boarding Rooms		Back Boarding Room
Antique Map		Old Rocking Chair - Boarding Room
A historic kitchen & lumber barn located behind Wight Tavern.		This old smokehouse has also been preserved behind the Wright Tavern.
This old fire wagon is located between the two buildings behind the tavern.		The outside kitchen features a solid rock floor along with the original cookware.