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Tuesday 10am - 3pm Wednesday 10am - 3pm Thursday 10am - 3pm Friday 10am - 3pm Saturday 10am - 3pm

Eagle Tavern Museum

Name: Eagle Tavern Museum
Address: Watkinsville, GA, 30677, US
Telephone: (706) 769-5197
Price range: $

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Watkinsville, GA
Eagle Tavern Museum

Monday-Friday
10 am-3 pm
Appt is required for Group Tour (10+)
Free admission

Step back in time 🦅 Built circa 1803, this historic tavern, inn, mercantile, and stagecoach stop offers a glimpse into the past with fascinating stories & period furnishings.

06/25/2026

🍺 Cool then. Even cooler now.

🦅In the early 1800s, Eagle Tavern was the cool place to be — literally. Doors open to catch the breeze, shade trees, and a cold drink from the cellar were about as good as it got on a Georgia hot summer day.

🥤These days? We've still got historic charm, and the cold drinks — a complimentary locally made craft soda from New Creation Soda Works for every guest… and air conditioning.

😊Some upgrades are worth 200 years of waiting.

☀️Come see us and beat the Georgia heat — historic building, very modern comfort.

Monday through Friday
10 am to 3 pm
Free Admission

06/22/2026

Mystery Solved🕵‍♂️

😷Last week, an unpleasant odor led us on an unexpected investigation at Eagle Tavern. After a thorough search, the culprit was discovered: a mouse in the attic of our restroom building and clearly overstayed his welcome 😶‍🌫️

🎊We're happy to report that the issue has been resolved, fresh air has been restored, and Eagle Tavern is open and welcoming visitors once again.

👏A special thank you to the Oconee County Facilities crew for tracking down the source of the problem and helping get everything back to normal. We appreciate their hard work and quick response!

🦅After 223 years, preserving history occasionally comes with a few surprises.

❤️Thank you for your patience and understanding while we solved this latest mystery.

🗓Monday through Friday
🕰10 am to 3 pm
💰Free

06/19/2026

History can be full of surprises.

Due to an unexpected maintenance issue with our restroom facilities, Eagle Tavern will be closed today, Friday, June 19th , while we track down the source of a rather historic odor. 😷 Something got in and didn't make it out. 🤢
We understand not wanting to leave the historic place but.....

After more than 223 years, preserving history occasionally comes with surprises. Some awesome...some not so much.

🧼The OC county team ( bless them!) is working to solve the mystery, and we'll reopen when the air is clear again.

😊Thank you for your understanding patience!

06/18/2026

Sheltering travelers from Georgia weather for over 200 years.

🌩As a tropical storm approaches our state, it's worth remembering that long before weather alerts and radar maps, weary travelers sought refuge at places like Eagle Tavern.

Imagine it's 1803.
🌬The wind is picking up. Rain is driving sideways. The road has turned to mud. Your horse is tired. You've been traveling for hours with no weather forecast, no windshield, and no guarantee of shelter ahead.

🦅Then, through the storm, you see the Eagle Tavern.

🦅For more than 200 years, travelers have sought refuge from Georgia's unpredictable weather within these walls.

As a tropical storm approaches our state, it's easy to forget how different travel once was.

Can you imagine? 😮

06/12/2026

✨️A Dentist, A Hotel, and a Legacy of Hospitality✨️

Behind every great stop along the road was someone who made it feel like home.

Meet Dr. & Mrs. Swepson Billups.

Dr. Billups served the community as a local dentist, while his wife, Martha, was the heart and soul of the then Eagle.

Known far and wide, Mrs. Martha Billups built a reputation that traveled just as far as the guests who passed through—welcoming weary travelers with warm meals, a clean room, and true Southern hospitality.

Now, Dr. Swep was not to be outdone. Many old records praise him as the best banjo player in the South. He kept guests entertained with his musical skills.

In a time when the journey was long and the road uncertain, places like the Eagle weren’t just stops… they were lifelines.

And Dr. & Mrs. Billups made sure every guest felt it.

This vernable old couple passed away within months of each other in 1906 ...ending an era here at the Eagle.

Come take a tour , hear their story, browse a menu from Mrs. Martha, and see old family recipes.

🗓Monday- Friday
🕰10 am to 3 pm
💰Free Admission

06/11/2026

🇺🇸 Walk in the Footsteps of America's Founding Generation 🇺🇸

🎇As our nation prepares to celebrate America's 250th anniversary, there's no better place to connect with the past than right here in Oconee County.

👣Step back in time and explore two remarkable sites tied to Revolutionary War veterans:

🦅 Eagle Tavern Museum – Built circa 1803, this historic stagecoach stop, inn, and tavern welcomed travelers on Georgia's frontier. Today, visitors can experience life in early Georgia and learn how travel, trade, and community helped shape a young nation.

🥁 William Daniell House – Home of Revolutionary War veteran William Daniell, this historic house tells the story of Georgia's role in the American Revolution and life on the frontier that followed. The house now serves as the Oconee County Welcome Center (Visit Oconee County, Georgia ) and offers a unique glimpse into the lives of those who helped build our country.

🇺🇸As we commemorate America 250, we invite you to come hear their stories, and discover the history that lives on in Oconee County.

🧐History isn't just something you read about—it's something you can experience.

06/09/2026

🍶 A Taste of Oconee is Coming to the Eagle Tavern! 🍶

🎊We're excited to announce that New Creation Soda Works , crafted right here in Oconee County, Georgia, will soon be available at the Eagle Tavern!

🦅As part of your visit, each guest will be invited to enjoy one complimentary soda and sample these locally made flavors while stepping back into the early days of Georgia travel and hospitality.

🤔And before anyone asks... 🍺

🚫No alcohol is served at the Eagle Tavern, but the historic tavern bar will soon be open again for visitors to explore!

📡Stay tuned as we put the finishing touches on this exciting addition to the museum experience.

🥰Come for the history, stay for the stories—and soon, enjoy a refreshing taste of Oconee County!

06/05/2026

🌸 A Fresh Coat of History 🌸

According to the Oconee Enterprise in the 1960s, downtown Watkinsville was getting a facelift. Businesses were freshening up with new coats of paint, sidewalks were being cleaned, and flowers were being planted to welcome residents and visitors alike.

The buildings may have changed hands over the years, but many are still serving the community today.

🏦 The former Oconee State Bank building is now home to Outpost Oconee , a general store where you'll find some of the best coffee and ice cream in town and much more .🍦

🛍️ Wilda Edwards' store now houses The Well Gift and Bookstore, filled with gifts, Georgia souvenirs, books, and treasures around every corner.

🗺One of the best ways to experience Watkinsville is to see how the past and present intertwine.

🦅 Pick up a complimentary Downtown Historic Walking Tour Map at the Eagle Tavern Museum, then stroll the streets where generations before us shopped, gathered, and built the community we enjoy today.

History isn't just something to read about here—it's something you can walk through, one storefront at a time.

06/02/2026

🃏Who doesn't love a little fun and games?

🐦 Operation: Where's Watty?

🔍This summer, join the hunt for Watty, Watkinsville's feathered friend, as part of Operation: Where's Watty?

🦅Watty knows Watkinsville is a bird sanctuary, and he's chosen to spend his summer exploring all around town. Keep your eyes peeled—you never know where he might turn up!

📍 Watty cards are now available at the Eagle Tavern Museum, Outpost Oconee , Oconee County Library and more!

Check out Downtown Watkinsville for all locations and full details...

🥳Let the games begin!

06/01/2026

🐎 Travel has changed…your need for a good stop hasn’t....🚘

1803:
🌞Hot, dusty "roads"
🗺Paper maps (if you had one… and IF it was right )
🤕 Bumpy stagecoach rides—no suspension, just survival (and sore muscles)
🐎Horsepower = 1 or 2 (and sometimes with a bad attitude)

2026:
❄️Ice-cold A/C blasting
📱GPS telling you every turn (and rerouting when you miss it) 📍
🚘 Smooth rides with shocks and springs—so smooth you barely spill your coffee

No matter the century, travelers needed a place to stop, stretch, and recharge—and that’s exactly what the Eagle Tavern Museum has been doing since 1803.

🗓Monday through Friday
⏰️10 am to 3 pm
💰Free Admission
📚Maps, brochures, local & Georgia information

Address

Watkinsville, GA
30677

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10am - 3pm
Wednesday	10am - 3pm
Thursday	10am - 3pm
Friday	10am - 3pm
Saturday	10am - 3pm

Telephone

(706) 769-5197

Website

https://visitoconee.com/portfolio/eagle-tavern/

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