The Old Drovers Tavern in Nelson is seeking donations!

The Nelson Preservation Associates, Inc. (NPA) is seeking donations to preserve the historic Old Drovers Tavern building at 3307 US Rt. 20 in the community of Nelson in Madison County.

Originally known as “The Sickle and Sheath Drover’s Tavern”, the building was constructed in circa 1804 as a tavern for cattle drovers on the Cherry Valley Turnpike, now known as US Rt. 20.

Since then, the building has served as a general store, the village post office, a feed store, and an antiques store. In the 1970s, former NYS Assemblyman Bill Magee purchased the property, which continued to function as an antiques store and auction house until recently.

The NPA plans to work with skilled craftsmen, the community, and local experts to rehabilitate the tavern to serve its original purpose. The work will also include NPA’s constructing a replica of the original two-story English-style barn and conducting a community survey to gain input on potential uses for both the historic tavern and old barn.

The NPA’s overall goal is to raise $2,000 by mid-summer; volunteers will start painting by late summer. The organization will host a community bonfire at the Old Drovers Tavern on June 25 from 5 to 8 p.m.

To donate, visit the Old Drovers Tavern GoFundMe page, or send a check, made payable to Nelson Preservation Associates, to PO Box 452, Cazenovia, NY 13035. All donors will receive a tax-exempt donation receipt and will be listed on the Old Drovers Tavern social media sponsor pages.

For updates on upcoming events, or to follow the fundraising progress, search The Old Drovers Tavern at Nelson on Facebook, visit olddroverstavern.com, ro send and email to nelsonpreservationassoc@gmail.com.

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