The original Boyd Tavern was constructed in 1790, consisting of a small one-story dwelling and tavern. Around 1816 the building was altered and expanded reflecting the nucleus of the present structure. By the 1820s, the building had evolved into a federal style.

Following the Civil War, the owners sought to give the tavern a different appearance. These changes are attributed to Jacob Holt, an architect-builder working in southside Virginia in the 1870s. The early decades of the 20th century saw further exterior alterations.

The tavern has evolved over the years from the plain, country ordination of Alexander Boyd to a thriving hotel, and to a boarding house which converted to apartments in 1922. The tavern’s history has been one of constant change, expansion, & renovation meeting the varied needs of the surrounding community. The tavern has been a prominent landmark for over 200 years and is truly a unique structure.

In 1976, The Boyd Tavern was placed on the Virginia Landmark Register & the National Register of Historic Places.