As curator for the historic Fraunces Tavern Museum in New York City, Buffalo State graduate student Suzanne Prabucki has been cataloguing the more than 5,000 Revolutionary War documents, artifacts, and paintings housed at this landmark site.

As her work progressed over the past two years, Prabucki saw and seized an opportunity: developing the first print catalogue about the museum’s collection, its history, and care. With that in mind, Prabucki switched her master’s thesis from the topic of Western New York architecture to the Fraunces Tavern Museum catalogue. She expects to complete the publication next month and earn her M.A. in history with a museum studies concentration.

“People always associate the Revolutionary War with what was happening in Philadelphia and Boston, but actually there was a lot going on in New York City during and after the war,” said Prabucki.  “It’s exciting to be here and have the opportunity to help tell that part of the story.”

Built in 1719, Fraunces Tavern played a significant role in pre-Revolutionary War activities and later housed early U.S. government offices of the Departments of War, Treasury, and Foreign Affairs (today’s State Department). The site is best known as the place where General George Washington bade farewell to his officers on December 4, 1783.  

In 1904, the Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York purchased the tavern, saving it from the wrecking ball. A restored Fraunces Tavern was opened to the public in 1907 featuring a museum and restaurant. Both operations have continued, independently run, to this day. In 2008, Fraunces Tavern was added to the National Register of Historic Places.