A Tavern of revolutionary times was an important part of its community. The publican or innkeeper served as gossip, newsmonger, banker, pawnbroker, expediter of men or effects, and general host to all.

In those early days the intimate association existing between landlord and public brought about a still closer one between the tavern guild itself, establishing a network of communication coextensive with all the great routes from Maine to Georgia. The Warren Tavern was probably the first building erected in Charlestown after the British razed the town during the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17,1775. It was founded by Captain Eliphelet Newell in 1780.

The Warren Tavern was founded by Captain Eliphelet Newell in 1780. Newell had been believed to have been a participant at the famous Boston Tea Party and as an ardent patriot and admirer of Dr. (General) Joseph Warren, it is natural that he named his tavern after the fallen hero of the Battle of Bunker Hill.

Warren, because of his untimely death, is little known today. But as head of the committee for safety, and the Sons of Liberty, he was the prime mover of the revolution. Lord North then Prime Minister of Great Britain, described Warren to King George as "the greatest incendiary in North America". Warren by his nature, was not a radical, and it was only after years of failure in attempting closer ties between Great Britain and the colonies that he began his work to build a separate nation.

Other famous visitors included Paul Revere, who had been a close friend of Warren's and stated often that the Tavern was one of his favorite watering places. Additionally, the first King Solomon's Lodge of Masons met here for twenty years. At which Grand Master Revere headed those meetings.

Later after the Revolutionary War, General George Washington, on a visit to Charlestown to see his old friend Benjamin Frothingham, stopped here for "refreshments". Come to the Warren Tavern and be part of the history. We are located just steps away from the freedom trail in Charlestown.