Gadsby's Tavern Museum

Discover Alexandria’s five-star hotel of the 18th century! The buildings and ice well were constructed by John Wise, but made famous by John Gadsby.

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum consists of two buildings, the c. 1785 tavern and the 1792 City Tavern and Hotel. He hosted George Washington’s Birthnight Ball,and Thomas Jefferson’s Inaugural Banquet. Located in the heart of Old Town, the museum offers tours and a wide variety of children’s programs and special events throughout the year.

Photos from Alexandria Archaeology Museum's post 07/17/2024

Archaeology summer camp has started! Check out yesterday's post from the Alexandria Archaeology Museum.

05/03/2023

It is Preservation Month! Don't miss this unique opportunity every Saturday in May.

It's Preservation Month! Start off with a specialty tour of Gadsby's Tavern Museum. Every Saturday in May, peel back the paint + explore spaces not normally open to the public! Details + tickets available online https://shop.alexandriava.gov/Events.aspx

02/02/2023

Honor George Washington’s 291st birthday this month with more than a dozen events! From specialty tours to a parade to fine dining to hands-on activities, there is something for everyone! Visit the Historic Alexandria calendar for all the details: https://apps.alexandriava.gov/Calendar/?sc=14

2023 Annual Survey of Museum-Goers 01/24/2023

Why does history matter? Help Historic Alexandria answer this question! We want to know how we can support and engage you in 2023 and beyond. We are participating in a national survey of museum-goers, sponsored by the American Alliance of Museums. Please take a few minutes + take this survey! Your thoughts + feedback will help us guide our future work.
https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7118149/alexandria

2023 Annual Survey of Museum-Goers 2023 Annual Survey of Museum-Goers.

Photos from Gadsby's Tavern Museum's post 12/20/2022

Golly gumdrops! Great fun was had by all on Sunday as guests learned about Alexandria’s architecture in the historic ballroom + designed their own creations using everything from pretzels to gum. Do you recognize any architectural elements in their facades?

12/14/2022

Don't miss your opportunity on Sunday to have fun with gingerbread + candy! Ticket includes one flat gingerbread façade, all the supplies needed to create fun architectural details, and admission to the museum. For more information + tickets, visit https://shop.alexandriava.gov/Events.aspx

10/03/2022

The c. 1785 Tavern building offering a lesson on architecture today!

For World Architecture Day, let's take a closer look at bricks. Have you ever noticed patterns in the brick formations on many historic buildings? These are called brick bonds + each pattern has a specific name + purpose. The front of Gadsby's Tavern is in a Flemish Bond where the long side of the brick (stretcher) alternates with the short side (header). This pattern was often used on the front facades because it was aesthetically pleasing.

09/20/2022

This Saturday! Hosted at the Alexandria History Museum, learn more about the impact of the American Revolution across the globe.

Learn how the world turned upside down at the Revolutionary War Symposium on Saturday with a full line up of great speakers! For tickets, visit https://shop.alexandriava.gov/Events.aspx

08/31/2022

This Sunday, don’t miss your last chance to visit with our Junior Docents + learn about historic chocolate!

This is the last weekend to see the Junior Docents in action at Gadsby's Tavern Museum! Don't take our word for it - check out this postcard report to Mom. For more info, visit https://www.alexandriava.gov/museums/special-tours-of-gadsbys-tavern-museum-led-by-junior-docents

1972 Gadsby's Tavern Museum Deed Signing 08/11/2022

Groovy! It is the 50th anniversary of American Legion Post 24 , Old Town Alexandria, Virginia donating Gadsby’s Tavern Museum to the City of Alexandria. Boogie down + celebrate!

1972 Gadsby's Tavern Museum Deed Signing To celebrate the 50th anniversary of American Legion Post 24 deeding Gadsby's Tavern Museum to the City of Alexandria, we would like to share some vintage vi...

08/01/2022

Due to a private event, the Museum will be closed today Monday, August 1.

2022 Symposium Speaker Highlight: Scott Stroh 07/29/2022

September 24 is right around the corner! Don't miss our Revolutionary War Symposium with Emerging Revolutionary War. Tickets are on sale now: https://shop.alexandriava.gov/Events.aspx

2022 Symposium Speaker Highlight: Scott Stroh We are happy to welcome Scott Stroh to our Third Annual Symposium on the American Revolution, co-hosted with Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, The Lyceum and Emerging Revolutionary War. This year’s theme is …

Photos from Gadsby's Tavern Museum's post 07/13/2022

We were so thrilled to host two descendants from the Irwin family in June! Sarah Fleming + Mary Kowalski first realized their connection to Gadsby’s by doing family genealogy. The Irwins owned the City Tavern building for 114 years while tavernkeepers over the decades leased the operation. Sarah & Mary toured the Museum + got to explore the Irwin Papers archival collection, acquired for the Museum by the Gadsby's Tavern Museum Society. The large archival collection will be cataloged + made digitally available through the Museum’s webpage in the years ahead. We are looking forward to having Mary + Sarah back at the tavern the next time they are in Alexandria!

06/17/2022

Starting this Sunday!

What are these things? And how do they relate to 18th century life? Find out this summer from the Junior Docents at Gadsby's Tavern Museum! Every Sunday June 19 through Labor Day weekend from 2-5 p.m., guests will meet Junior Docents (grades 4 and older) and learn about the history of early America and *chocolate!* Don't miss the hands-on demonstration of historic chocolate making in the Ballroom. This program is back after COVID thanks to the support from American Heritage Chocolate!

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Gadsby’s Tavern Museum

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum consists of two buildings, the c. 1785 tavern and the 1792 City Tavern and Hotel. The buildings and ice well were financed by John Wise, but made famous by John Gadsby. He hosted George Washington’s Birthnight Ball, and Thomas Jefferson’s Inaugural Banquet. Located in the heart of Old Town, the museum offers tours and a wide variety of programs and special events throughout the year. Plus keep up with our tavernkeeper Mr. Gadsby on Twitter - @JohnGadsby!

Videos (show all)

The Museum staff at #VAM2017 has been learning from sessions, experiencing museums, and enjoying some great music from T...
We re-roped the reproduction bed in the 1785 dormer this morning. Notice the over/under technique in play. Do you think ...
Happy #PiDay from Gadsby's Tavern Museum
Congressional Cemetery Tweetup Grave Restoration - 2 of 2

Category

Address


134 N Royal Street
Alexandria, VA
22314

Opening Hours

Thursday 11am - 4pm
Friday 11am - 4pm
Saturday 11am - 5pm
Sunday 1pm - 5pm

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