The Raleigh Tavern once counted among colonial Virginia's largest taverns. Once one of the largest taverns in colonial Virginia, it was named for Sir Walter Raleigh — a lead bust of Raleigh even sat above the entrance door. In its day the tavern gained fame as a gathering place for legislators after several Royal Governors officially dissolved the House of Burgesses, the elected legislative body, when their actions did not suit the Crown.
It was also the memorable site of the founding of the Phi Beta Kappa Society on December 5, 1776. Remember that from 1699 to 1779 Williamsburg served as the capital of the colony of Virginia; as such, there were numerous taverns to host legislators and other visitors having business with the government while the House of Burgesses was in session. The Raleigh Tavern you see was rebuilt in 1930–31 and was both the first building to be reconstructed and to be opened as part of Colonial Williamsburg.
Unlike other taverns that operate as restaurants or inns, the reconstructed Raleigh Tavern building today serves as a museum, showing visitors how the tavern would have appeared. Notice the reconstructed facade and the rest of Colonial Williamsburg stretching beyond it.