The University of Maryland had its first field school in Annapolis in the backyard of Reynolds Tavern in the early 1980s. We discovered that the backyard had a stable, a smokehouse, large privy, outdoor workspaces, and a large, deep well. William Reynolds built his tavern in the 1750s. The building remains intact, and is one of the most important historic places in Annapolis. Customers at Reynolds’ Tavern ranged from small farmers, to businessmen, to soldiers. Its location was perfect for political meetings and was the setting for numerous public auctions. Reynolds also sold various goods, including Jesuit’s Bark and Seneca Rattlesnake Root, as well as teas, liquors, fruit, and other goods, in his store. On top of all of these business ventures, William Reynolds made and sold hats out of the tavern. In addition, Reynolds owned slaves and even sold them in the front yard. Click here to view the Probate inventory for William Reynolds. On page six of this inventory a number of servants are listed among Reynolds' other possessions. Click here to view an example of a slave sale advertisement for William Reynolds taken from the Maryland Gazette in the late 18th century. Click here to view a runaway slave advertisement by William Reynolds from the February 13, 1752 edition of the Maryland Gazette. Images from the Maryland Gazette and the William Reynolds Inventory were provided by the Maryland State Archives. Archaeologists also found two caches beneath the basement floor of Reynolds Tavern that date to the early 1800s. One was found at the base of the basement stairs, and the other was found in the northeast corner of the central basement hall. The bundles are part of many such remains found archaeologically in Annapolis, including at the Charles Carroll House, the Slayton House, and the Brice House. The caches found at the Brice House are also on display in the Seeking Liberty Exhibit. When buried in the ground near stairs, fireplace hearths, or in northeast corners cache items were used to control the spirits of the dead. When the Spirits are invoked, they can be asked to heal, predict the future, or end injustice. This clear glass vial was found in the cache located in the Northeast corner of the Tavern basement. The vial contains a red powder which is most likely Mercury, a substance commonly used in the hat-making business. A number of pins were found in both of the caches uncovered in the basement of Reynolds Tavern. These religious ideas and practices derive from West African traditions and show that many of the most famous houses in the city are not just African American, but are also culturally African. This presence points to Annapolis’s African roots, as well as to the European ones we already celebrate.   Reynolds Tavern Artifacts Two complete Kaolin clay pipe bowls, one with the mark “WM” and a crown. Portion of a large Stoneware crock dating to the 18th century. These vessels which stood at least a foot high were used to store large quanities of food or liquid and would have been indispensible at a tavern where large numbers of people were served.