Fridays with Jim Korkis: Liberty Tree Tavern
By Dave Shute
Welcome back to Fridays with Jim Korkis! Jim, the dean of Disney historians, writes about Walt Disney World history every Friday on yourfirstvisit.net.
LIBERTY TREE TAVERN IN LIBERTY SQUARE AT MAGIC KINGDOM
By Jim Korkis
Liberty Square is a land that exists only at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Its existence was influenced not only by Walt Disney’s desire for a similar location at Disneyland to celebrate the founding of America, but also that in just a few years after Walt Disney World’s opening there would be a huge Bicentennial celebration.
As early as 1969, the Annual Report for Walt Disney Productions stated that “Liberty Square will offer relaxed dining in an early American restaurant featuring a series of small picturesque rooms reminiscent of colonial times.”
(c) Disney
This restaurant was eventually named the Liberty Tree Tavern to reference the massive Liberty Tree that was growing just outside the restaurant. The structure resembled an eighteenth century colonial home, and served New England style fare served by the Sons and Daughters of Liberty attired in appropriate costumes.
The food is appropriately named to maintain the theme including the Patriot’s Platter which is like having Thanksgiving every day of the year, the Declaration Salad, Johnny Appleseed’s Warm Apple Cake, and more.
The interior prominently displays wood planking, with the creaking floorboards and stairs adding to the authenticity. Rich wood paneling, candelabra chandeliers, lanterns, iron kettles and pots, vintage butter churn, baskets, pewter glasses and more artifacts emphasize the time period. Some windows are done in wavy “seed” glass that was common during that time.
When Liberty Tree Tavern opened in October 1971, the menu proclaimed, “Welcome to the early days of colonial America re-created throughout Liberty Square. Here in the Liberty Tree Tavern and throughout Liberty Square our proud heritage comes alive before your eyes.
“Within the Liberty Tree Tavern, you can see many original works of art created for the Hall of Presidents. Most of the historical scenes displayed here depict the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794, an insurrection in Western Pennsylvania against a high tax on surplus corn. Painted on aged redwood, each scene represents hours of concentrated study re-enacting the early days of colonial America.”
Over the decades, the restaurant has undergone several renovations, so some of the original items are no longer displayed. Until 2008, a “town crier” would call out each dining party’s last name and home state when their table was ready. Character dining took place in Liberty Tree Tavern from the early 1990s to 2009.
A refurbishment in the early 1990s resulted in the interior being divided into six dining rooms, with each one dedicated to a Revolutionary-era hero: George and Martha Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Paul Revere, Benjamin Franklin, Betsy Ross, and John Paul Jones. Each dining room includes its own fireplace, a name plaque and portrait of the historical figure, and items associated with that person.
In the Benjamin Franklin room is a First Edition of his Poor Richard’s Almanack, and a kite and keys referencing his famous experiment with electricity.
John Paul Jones’ room has a nautical feel with model ships and navigation equipment like a brass compass and vintage maps. A framed advertisement urges men to sign up to join the crew of the ship Ranger captained by Jones.
The Thomas Jefferson room displays numerous books, documents, paintings of his home Monticello and, of course, a quill and ink well since Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence.
The Paul Revere room includes a variety of silver plates, cups and dishes to reference Revere’s occupation as a silversmith.
The Betsy Ross room has a colonial flag with thirteen stars in a circle as well as sewing items. The George and Martha Washington room includes George’s wooden teeth and his tri-cornered hat by the door.
In order to keep things authentic, Imagineers balked at including restrooms but legally needed to include them, so they put small ones upstairs, way in the back, so that Walt Disney World can claim they are not physically in Liberty Square. They have copper sinks and framed mirrors, and the doors are decorated with images of a colonial gentleman and woman.
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Thanks, Jim! Liberty Tree Tavern has a special place in my life, as it is where I met Josh of easyWDW for the first time, long ago.
And come back next Friday for more from Jim Korkis!
In the meantime, check out his books, including his new books Vault of Walt: Volume 10: Final Edition, Kungaloosh! The Mythic Jungles of Walt Disney World and Hidden Treasures of Walt Disney World Resorts: Histories, Mysteries, and Theming, much of which was first published on this site.
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