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History of Gadsby's Tavern Museum

Learn of the centuries of history at this corner of N. Royal and Cameron Streets.
Page updated on January 24, 2023 at 3:38 PM

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History of Gadsby's Tavern Museum

Gadsby's Tavern Museum consists of two buildings, a ca. 1785 tavern and the 1792 City Tavern and Hotel. In those seven short years, the young Republic began to take shape through the conversations and choices being made in these tavern spaces. The impact of these choices about how far to extend power—political, economic, and social—are still being felt today.

Named for Englishman John Gadsby who operated them from 1796 to 1808, the tavern businesses were central to Alexandria’s port-based economy, offering spaces to dine, entertain, and spend the night. A large, enslaved labor force made Gadsby’s renowned hospitality possible. Notable patrons that enjoyed this hospitality included George and Martha Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and the Marquis de Lafayette. The most well-known event was the Birthnight Ball, when Washington celebrated his birthday in 1798 and 1799.

After serving as a tavern and hotel during the Civil War and into the late 19th century, the buildings were used for variety of commercial uses and soon fell into disrepair. In 1917, the Metropolitan Museum of Art purchased the historic woodwork of the City Tavern Ballroom because of its Washington connection to include in their new American Wing. Twelve years later, American Legion Post 24 purchased the buildings, saving them from demolition, and undertook a community-wide restoration effort.  In 1972, the buildings were donated to the City of Alexandria, restored again, and re-opened in 1976 for America’s Bicentennial Celebration.

Though the buildings were saved due to the taverns’ connections to famous guests, the Museum now tells the story of all people who interacted with the spaces as they negotiated daily life in the early United States.

Tour Gadsby’s Tavern Museum

Virtual Tour of Gadsby's Tavern Museum: The ballroom (2017)

Virtual Tours

Visit the first and second floors on Google 360 Virtual Tours. The virtual tour was created in late 2017, during the Time and Place exhibition. 

  • First Floor
  • Second Floor
Gadsby's Tavern Online Tour Welcome Panel

Tour Museum Online

The online tour of these two taverns - the 1785 tavern and the 1792 City Tavern - explores power in the new Republic and its impact on people.

Gadsby's Tavern Museum exterior

Plan Your Visit

This page has hours, admission information, tour options, and directions to assist in planning your visit.

Research at Gadsby's Tavern Museum

Ice well, internal image with straw and ladder.

Historic Ice Well

How was ice preserved in the 18th century? Learn more through the City Tavern’s 1793 Ice Well.

Birthnight Ball historic 20th century photograph

The Birthnight Ball

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum is famous in part because George Washington celebrated attended the Birthnight Ball in his honor here. Learn more about this historic event.

Portrait of John Gadsby, painted by John Gadsby Chapman 1833

John Gadsby beyond Alexandria

John Gadsby continued operating taverns and hotels after leaving Alexandria, ultimately ending his career with the National Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Gadsb'ys Tavern and City Hotel during the Civil War,Alexandria Library, Special Collections

The Civil War at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum

Learn more about what happened in these buildings during the Civil War

The Female Stranger's grave, at St. Paul's Episcopal Cemetery.

The Female Stranger

The Female Stranger is a famous local legend and ghost story. Who was she?

Thomas Jefferson, print ca. 1828 based on Gilbert Stuart portrait (Library of Congres)

Jefferson’s Travel Advice

Thomas Jefferson’s travel advice to his friend Joel Barlow provides a glimpse into travel in the 18th century

Lecture Recordings from Gadsby’s Tavern Museum

Rev War Symposium graphic 2022

Revolutionary War Symposium

These symposia on the Revolutionary War are sponsored by Emerging Revolutionary War and Gadsby's Tavern Museum.

Guests attend a lecture in 2018

Lectures sponsored by Gadsby's Tavern Museum

Watch these lectures online.

Learn More

Primary Sources

  • Mutual Assurance Map, 1796 
  • Tavern Bill of Sale, 1801 
  • Thomas Jefferson to Joel Barlow, 1808
  • Inventory of John Gadsby, 1802. Irwin Family Archival Collection: funded by the Gadsby’s Tavern Museum Society.

Secondary Sources

  • Rates of Liquors & Overview 
  • George Washington and the Birthnight Ball  
  • John Gadsby beyond Alexandria 
  • The Civil War at Gadsby’s 
  • The Story of the Female Stranger
  • A Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Joel Barlow
  • Where did Francis Scott Key write the song that became our national anthem? O Say Can You See? Stories from the National Museum of American History Blog.
  • If You Have to be a Floor. the memory palace Podcast.
  • Leaving Crumbs Behind. Twisted Preservation One Night Stand Blog.
  • POTUS Party Spot – Gadsby’s Tavern American POTUS Podcast

Past Exhibits at Gadsby's Tavern Museum

  • The Met purchase of the Gadsby's Ballroom (2017 exhibit)
  • Honoring our Veterans: A Century of Service - The American Legion in Alexandria (2018 exhibit)
  • Reflecting on the National Anthem (2021 exhibit)

Collections

The Collections of Gadsby’s Tavern Museum are wide and varied. From ceramics to furniture, each object tells the story of the evolution of hospitality in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Photographic Collection documents the tavern’s 20th century journey from run-down buildings to world-class museum.

 

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Alexandria City Hall
301 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

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