A Man Full of Trouble Tavern was spared demolition during urban renewal in the 1960s as part of Philadelphia city planner Edmund Bacon’s vision for what would become Society Hill. | Photo: Michael Bixler
When A Man Full of Trouble Tavern first opened in 1759 along the banks of Dock Creek at the corner of Spruce and Mattis Streets this was not where you’d find Benjamin Franklin discussing electricity over a beer. No, Franklin was lifting a pint at City Tavern, a posh spot several blocks and class distinctions away where members of the First Continental Congress met. Meanwhile, the aptly named A Man Full of Trouble Tavern quenched the thirst of dock workers, stevedores, and others who did not wear ruffled shirts or silk hose.
In the 1700s, 2nd and Spruce Streets was not Society Hill. It was the Dock Ward where a man could drink away his troubles on the first floor of the tavern and share a bed on the second floor. In the 1830s, Watson’s Annals of Philadelphia described it as “A Man Fill of Mischief.” Regardless of its name changes, the historic tavern stood its ground for centuries.
Over the next 200 years, it was known as Naylor’s Hotel starting in 1851 and was described as a “ramshackle, two-story, wooden lodging.” Around 1900, it was a grocery store and in the 1950s it was a wholesale chicken market. By that time, all of Dock Street was an open-air food market.
If not for Philadelphia city planner Ed Bacon’s reimagining the Dock Ward as “Society Hill” in the 1960s, this historic tavern may have been bulldozed like everything else in the path of urban renewal. “In 1962, the lopsided, decaying property was bought by City Councilmember and historic preservationist Virginia Knauer and her husband, lawyer Wilhelm “Bill” Knauer. They were amateur historians and avid antiques collectors,” said Bob Skiba, archivist at Williams Way LGBT Community Center and president of the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides. “For the next few years, supported by an endowment from the Knauers, the museum flourished and costumed staff welcomed visitors,” Skiba explained. “By the early 1990s, interest had waned. The tavern was only open to the public one day a month. Virginia, realizing that this was impractical, gifted the property to the University of Pennsylvania in 1994.” The drafty, 3-room 18th century tavern was then used by the school to provide housing for visiting scholars and faculty.
127 Spruce Street in 1961. | Photo courtesy of Prints and Photographs, Library of Congress
It was around this time that Old City resident Dan Wheeler, an attorney and real estate investor, set his heart on owning Man Full of Trouble. “It was in bad shape. It was the only pre-Revolutionary War tavern in the city and it was never open,” said Wheeler. “When Penn finally put it up for sale, it was marketed as a condo conversion. I bought it because I’m a veteran and I care about our history.”
“I am a serial collector,” admitted Wheeler. “I started as a fanatical record collector of 78 rpm blues from the 1920s and 1930s.” These days, he goes online to bid at Freeman’s or Christie’s auctions for Revolutionary War muskets and related memorabilia.
To restore the tavern, Wheeler hired Justin Detweiler of John Milner Architects, a firm whose reputation for historic preservation has accrued prestigious awards for their work at Christ Church, Stoneleigh Mansion, and Fairmount Waterworks. “Underneath the carpeting, we found the original wooden floors, and we put a new roof on the building,” said Detweiler. “In the attic, we discovered a box of historic wall paper that had been reproduced in the 1960s,” he said. “We put it up on the second floor. We also designed the interior paint colors based on an original palette of historic Philadelphia paint colors and has them custom made.”
Interior restoration includes an ADA accessible restroom addition. The second and third floors retain the original historic antique wide floorboards. There are new kitchen cabinets, appliances and fixtures, as well as all new bathroom finishes throughout the building. No need to light a candle to see where you are going. New historically-inspired light fixtures have been installed throughout the building. “Much of what exists was historic,” said Detweiler. “Where needed, we added new hand-forged hardware by Heritage Metalworks.”
The newly-restored tavern features a taproom downstairs and museum of Philadelphia artifacts upstairs. | Photos Michael Bixler
The tavern is actually two rowhouses joined together. 25 people can fit into the bar on the first floor. Wheeler’s museum of American history collectibles is on the second and third floors and includes a Revolutionary War cannon.
“The third floor of the museum will be for special exhibits. I would like to partner with local artists to display their work,” said Wheeler. As for the bar, he rented space to Succession Fermentory, a farmhouse brewery. All of their beers are brewed with locally sourced ingredients.
In March, the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia announced that A Man Full of Trouble will receive a 2025 Grand Jury Award for excellence in historic preservation.
A better tale could I recall the date, but I shouted sixPenn faculty and staffto dinner.
The tavern was closing that very night for a lengthy National Parks renovation.
While I never learned to drink, my guests were delighted when costumed waiter said every bottle behind the bar was available for a dollar.
I cannot wait to visit Philly and check this out. I recently became obsessed with facts about the American revolution and would be delighted to research it more here. Thanks for the article
I remember as a 5 yr old, my father taking me to Headhouse Square. The colonnade
was covered in tar paper, the floor in sawdust. I don’t remember what he purchased there, but t I do remember a wooden barrel full to the brim with fish heads. Circa 1956.
In my 17 years in Philadelphia I was always told that it was named for the 17 Century Free Society of Traders, a sort of guild/union for ship and dock workers and their employers
Stacia,
That was an excellent article to read. Kudos! Looking forward to more history about our wonderful, historic city PHILADELPHIA.
Very informative; glad I stumbled upon this article.
I love Philadelphia History.
On the black history walking tour called the Black Journey, I learned some neccessary information about this place. They used to sell slaves there.
Amazing, if God is for us, who dare be against us? Society Hill be damned.
Great and very well done article by Stacia.
I am very happy to hear that such an historic and pre-revolutionary building was restored with such detail.
The name of the pub is also interesting as it is a quote from the old testament of the Bible and is also used in Freemasonry ritual. I have wondered if Freemasons during the 1700’s may have met there as the name of the tavern implies a Masonic connection.
I love Phila history, please tell me when the tavern is open.
Neat article, I guess bars back then did not have an actually bar you could sit at! It was more like a restaurant with tables and chairs.
A beautifully restored building, with an interesting assortment of historic documents and artifacts on the upper floor. Thanks to Mr. Wheeler for all the time and investment he put into preserving this historic taven for us to enjoy.
Hey,
I appreciate this article! I actually helped build the high rise on the right behind this picture. I walked past it many times during my commute to and from work. I’ve always had a liking for old historical buildings. This one always caught my eye. Thank you for the history lesson on this particular building. I hope it stays for years to come!
I’ve lived in Philly my entire life and enjoy its rich history. Preserving this place is a noble endeavor. I look forward to hoisting a pint here in the near future.
In our research into the vast historical record of this property, we have never seen any evidence that human beings were sold at this location. If anyone has such evidence, please bring it to our attention so that we can include it in our history.
Nice article about an interesting tidbit of Philly’s history. Wasn’t this once a toy museum?
Thank you the interesting story about the tavern Iwill have to try an visit now I enjoy reading about phila history i
No. The toy museum was on the other side of Second Street, in the Abercrombie Mansion.
The Tricentennial is coming next year and the bar will be a welcome addition to the city.
Semiquincentennial, but ofc I understood your meaning. Further, I move that we all simply just agree to call it by your term for the sake of convenience.
Love reading this article. My husband, as a boy, was invited to a picnic hosted by the Knauers. Remembering it is a wonderful memory. The picnic was given for Republican ward leaders and their families. He remembers that there were steps leading down to the river. To know that the Knauers helped to preserve this bit of Philadelphia history, is amazing. Great story.
Growing up in Pennsport in the 60s I passed the ManFull of Troubles Tavern many times on the way down Second street! As I recall the sign portrayed a colonial gentleman with a monkey on his back-a parrot on his shoulder and a wife in arms! Hence all the trouble!
I’d like to make a reservation or is it a walk-in bar and museum.
What’s the cost?