Old Rose Tree Tavern
Also known as: Three Tuns; Red Lion
Why it's listed
Built of local fieldstone along the old Providence Great Road in Upper Providence, Delaware County, the Rose Tree Tavern grew in two stages, the first section dating from 1809 and a large stone addition completed in 1836. Its roots lie in 1739, when Daniel Calvert, a grandson of settler John Calvert, was granted a license to sell beer and cider and keep a house of entertainment after an earlier petition had been refused. The building's proportions recall the eighteenth century. Its four third-floor dormers have arched fanlights, and the 1809 front door keeps its Georgian dog-eared molding and four-light transom. Inside, the fireplaces and woodwork are original, the mantels show the Federal style, and several windows retain small drawers beneath the sills. The tavern is valued as a well-preserved example of a larger eastern Pennsylvania inn of its era, largely unaltered from its 1836 appearance.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the tavern represents well the better class of eastern Pennsylvania tavern of the late 18th and early 19th century. Its fireplaces and interior woodwork are described as original, and it retains much original millwork and is largely unaltered from its 1836 period. Its association with the colonial-era Calvert family and the tavern's transportation role on the Providence Great Road are also cited.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 71000705, listed June 21, 1971. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | NE of jct. of Rose Tree and Providence Rds., Media |
|---|---|
| County | Delaware County |
| Listed | June 21, 1971 |
| Reference number | 71000705 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1809-1836 |
| Architectural style | Georgian and Federal elements (Georgian dog-eared door molding, Federal-style mantels) |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Transportation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The document states the building was endangered by road widening; a 1971 note says it would be moved, not demolished, and a later 1985 review accepted a move on the same lot. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Coordinates | 39.93815, -75.39234 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 71000705.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7084870
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.