McGuire's Inn
Known Name(s)
McGuire's Inn
Address
Marsh St. Tappahannock, VA
Establishment Type(s)
Inn
Physical Status
Extant
Detailed History
The McGuire’s Inn, located in Tappahannock, VA, was originally established in the 1920’s by Lewis and Ida McGuire. Because of a deficiency extended to colored tourists throughout their travels across the country, and the inability to find lodging in the white establishments, the McGuires provided a safe place for colored tourists traveling through Tappahannock, VA, with comfortable lodging and hot meals. The current address is 445 Marsh.
Beginning in 1957, after the deaths of Lewis and Ida, the daily operations of running the McGuire’s Inn were inherited by the Late Rev. Charles E. McGuire (great-nephew of Lewis and Ida) and his wife, Mrs. Lillian H. McGuire. They continued to provide comfortable lodging for colored tourists traveling through Tappahannock, but hot meals were discontinued. Rev. McGuire was a civic activist, and who served as the first president of the Essex County Civic League, which was established in 1966. He later served as the president of the Essex County Branch of NAACP. He, together with strong supporters, proved to be a champion for the cause of change in the economic, educational, and civic growth in Essex County. Lillian McGuire was an educator, historian, and the author of three books on African- American churches and numerous news articles on African Americans in Essex County, Virginia. She is also the author of the book, “Uprooted and Transplanted: From Africa to America: Focus on African-Americans in Essex County, Virginia – Oppressions – Achievement – Contributions – The 1660s – 1900s."
In 1962, because of the lack of housing in Essex County, Charles and Lillian began to rent rooms at the McGuire’s Inn, during the school year, to the schoolteachers who moved to Essex County from across the country; they taught at the All-Black-Essex County High School located in Tappahannock, and continued to do so after desegregation.
Due to the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, African Americans were now allowed in many white establishments across the county. As a result, business declined at McGuire’s Inn, and they ceased operations in 1980. However, the residence is still very much a part of the McGuire Family. The McGuire Family made, and kept, lasting and memorable relationships with tourists and schoolteachers who lodged at McGuire’s Inn throughout the years. The McGuire Family is related to Thomas “Delmas” Harris and his wife, Esther, who operated the Harris Grill in Tappahannock, Virginia, also a Green Book listing.
Many thanks to Brenda McGuire-Randolph and Gina McGuire for their input and the above history, and the 1940’s photo, courtesy of their cousin, Brenda Anderson Diggs.
