According to Bean’s History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania (where would I be without the Internet?), in October of 1804, Alexander Wilson, a distinguished ornithologist, and two companions on a journey from Philadelphia to Niagara Falls stayed overnight at the Spring House Hotel and Tavern in Lower Gwynedd Township, Eastern Montgomery County.
(“Gwynedd,” by the way, is a corruption of the Welsh word “Gwineth,” signifying North Wales, and is also the name of a river there. Almost all of the earliest European settlers to the area in the late 17th and early 18th centuries were from Wales.)
Wilson even wrote a poem, “The Foresters,” in which he wrote in part: “The road was good, the passing scenery gay; Mile after mile passed unperceived away, till in the west the day began to close, and Spring House Tavern furnished us repose…”
And believe it or not, Spring House Tavern, which was opened in 1719, mostly to accommodate stagecoach travelers from Philadelphia to Bethlehem and back, is still operating as a restaurant after almost three centuries (but no longer as a hotel). A fire destroyed the building in 1888 but was quickly rebuilt on its original foundation.
In 1948 Charles Burns and his son, George, bought the Spring House Tavern, and in 1987 the business was passed along to James Burns, the third-generation owner, who expanded the restaurant with major renovations and extensions such as a substantial outdoor terrace. James passed away in January, 2015, but the business is now run by his daughters, Karleigh, 35, and Marissa, 31. You might say that its best ability is durability.
Unlike many of the trendy restaurants that fall out of favor when the trends change, Spring House Tavern, like many of the Colonial-era restaurants that remain – General Warren Inn in Malvern, William Penn Inn in Gwynedd, Black Powder Tavern in Wayne and the Broad Axe Tavern in Ambler, among others – change incrementally if not glacially because that’s the way their long-time customers want it.
“We do not change our signature dishes to follow trends,” said Karleigh recently. “Our customers are loyal because of the consistent and high quality food and service we provide.”
When I mentioned to Karleigh the perception by some that centuries-old restaurants like Spring House Tavern are stodgy and old-fashioned, she replied, “In recent years, the renovation of the bar and addition of the outdoor patio has brought a new generation of customers to the Spring House Tavern. In addition, we are fortunate to have the loyalty and patronage of many customers who have been dining at the Spring House Tavern for decades. Many of them knew our grandparents, and it’s wonderful to hear them tell stories about our family.
“We are also very fortunate to have wonderful staff, several of whom have worked at the Spring House Tavern for decades. Kathy Marcus, for example, deserves her own article; she’s worked at the tavern for 41 years … but the success of the restaurant comes from treating our customers as if they are family.”
You might say that time has not laid a glove on the Spring House Tavern. We recently ate there with two friends from Sellersville who had raved about their crab entrees. The crab imperial entree ($27) was indeed a hero, served with green beans almondine and mashed potatoes. Every element sang in harmony, especially the quality of the fish.
Another dish that curried favor with all of us was the snapper soup ($6.50 a cup, $8 a bowl) with its subtle flavor and rich texture. There are also lots of soups, salads, sandwiches and homemade desserts to choose from as well as an extensive list of wines and cocktails. (A young man came around and was cleaning the carpets right next to us while we were still eating. That was rather strange.)
Spring House Tavern, at 1032 N. Bethlehem Pike in Spring House, can seat about 250 guests indoors and 55 on the outdoor patio. There are two main dining rooms, two private party rooms and a bar. Approximately 15 to 20 percent of their business is private events.
For more information, call 215-646-1788 or visit www.springhousetavern.com
