Rappahannock Times

Unearthing the Past at Emerson’s Ordinary
March 15, 2023
BY G.C. ROSE
A beehive of activity occurred Saturday morning and afternoon at 314 South Water Lane in Tappahannock as around two dozen people — ranging in age from pre- schoolers to senior citizens — gathered to discover what was in the soil at the historic Emerson’s Ordinary.
Owners Greg and Jennifer Huff are converting the structure into a modern restaurant/pub.

From left, historical interpreter Beau Robbins, Emerson’s Oridnary owner Greg Huff, and historical researcher Lynn Price Robbins look over some of the items unearthed at 314 South Water Lane in Tappahannock.
Saturday found participants sifting soil from last bit of excavation for the construction of a patio and discovering remnants of
a bygone era.
“We have been interested in determining the background of our building,” Greg Huff told the Rappahannock Times. “We know that while it is one of the oldest buildings in the area, we want to figure out more of its history by doing a little bit of archaeology.”
Huff said he has been working with fellow Essex County resident Jamie Fawcett, who is the executive director of the Hanover Museum of History and Culture, on the archaeological analysis of the site.
“She is in the process of getting more certifications through archeology, and she has adopted this project to help her do that,” Huff explained.
He also noted that some of the participants represented universities to assist with the dig and exploration of materials that have been unearthed at the location.
Some other participants were working on certification with the Archeological Society of Virginia.
James Cary Intermediate School was also represented.
Huff said excavation for the patio project produced several piles of dirt on site “that even the youngest of people can dig through and find some cool things.”
During a previous construction project at the site a cannonball — believed to date back to the War of 1812 — was discovered along with artifacts that date back to the early 1700s.
“What we’re trying to do is tell the story of this town and an extension of Essex County through what we find in the dirt,” Huff said.
Fawcett, who resides in historical Poverty Ridge in Caret, said she one day drove past Emerson’s Ordinary and noticed the restoration work being performed there.
“We were looking for bricks and so I gatecrashed, and it’s been wonderful ever since,” she said.
Fawcett, who studied at the Institute of Archeology in London, England, said she was happy with Saturday’s turnout.
“The thing about archaeology is it’s destructive, so we have to do it with thought and intention,” she said. “We have a lot of spoils to look through and it is our due diligence to get as many people as we can to go through that spoil so we can honor the material culture. That will let us understand who was here before us.”
Two professional experts on site Saturday were Beau Robbins, a professional historical interpreter, and his wife, Lynn, who is a research historian.
“There’s a wide variety of not only items, but eras here,” Lynn said. “We are seeing things from different time periods. Finding more than 50 percent (of a plate) is a big deal. What we’ve found gives you an impressive snapshot of the people who lived in this area in different time periods.”
“One of the best places to find actual material culture of a specific historical context is through archaeology,” Bo explained.
Robbins described Saturday’s findings as “quite spectacular. Right now we’re only dealing with surface finds, so it’s going to be quite eye-opening in an exploration of this site and the town. This tavern would’ve been a social center in the first half of the 18th century. What’s going to be found in future work is really going to enlighten us as to the lifeways and material culture of this town since the early 18th century.”
Meanwhile, Huff says he hopes to have the restoration project completed by the end of the April or early May.
The origins of the site date back to the early 1700s and it operated as an Ordinary through the 1800s. Lodging will not be offered at the site, but the original building footprint remains intact as part of the property’s restoration is going to be used for dining and pub spaces. Modern restroom facilities have been constructed at the rear of the property, while a commercial kitchen will be located to the left side of the present structure.

From left, historical interpreter Beau Robbins, Emerson’s Oridnary owner Greg Huff, and historical researcher Lynn Price Robbins look over some of the items unearthed at 314 South Water Lane in Tappahannock.