A Day Visit to Alexandria, Virginia

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Market Square at the Alexandria City Hall

Market Square at the Alexandria City Hall

Looking back at photos from a day trip to Alexandria last summer, I would like to share some memories and images from the Historic Old Town Alexandria. As so often, looking back at a place, I would love to go back and see all the things I missed and only found out the existence of long after. One of the sights I missed was a house built by  George Washington in 1763.

Gatsby’s Tavern

From the home page of Alexandria Washington Gov

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum consists of two buildings, a ca. 1785 tavern and the 1792 City Hotel. The buildings are named for Englishman John Gadsby who operated them from 1796 to 1808. Mr Gadsby’s establishment was a centre of political, business, and social life in early Alexandria. The tavern was the setting for dancing assemblies, theatrical and musical performances, and meetings of local organizations. George Washington enjoyed the hospitality provided by tavernkeepers and twice attended the annual Birthnight Ball held in his honor. Other prominent patrons included John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, and the Marquis de Lafayette.

On the Sunday in early July, we visited last Summer where young school students dressed in historical outfits and trained as guides in each historic room. These fifths graders did an excellent job of telling us the history and about famous people connected to the place.

An information plaque on the Gadsby’s Tavern building, Alexandria VA. Erected 1772
The two buildings of the Gatsby’s Tavern and the hotel in Alexandria VA
A young guide telling us about its history. Gatsby’s Tavern, Alexandria Virginia
An example of the American Founders’ dining in the Gatsby’s Tavern
An example of the American Founders’ dining in the Gatsby’s Tavern
One of the fifth-grader historian guides at the Gatsby’s Tavern

 

Gadsby's Tavern, Alexandria, Virginia

Gadsby’s Tavern, Alexandria, Virginia

One of the fifth-grader historian guides at the Gatsby’s Tavern
One of the fifth-grader historian guides at the Gatsby’s Tavern
One of the fifth-grader historian guides at the Gatsby’s Tavern
Info about a chamber pot
Info about a trunk and the hard work of the enslaved people who had to carry the luggage
You didn’t rent a room but a bed.
One of the fifth-grader historian guides at the Gatsby’s Tavern
Info about World War I Veterans Serving Alexandria
Two sweet school girls ready to tell stories at the Gatsby’s Tavern Museum
Gadsby’s Tavern, Alexandria, Virginia. A bedroom used by Thomas Jefferson
Gadsby’s Tavern, Alexandria, Virginia. A bedroom used by Thomas Jefferson

For more pictures from that trip, please visit my blog on Black History Month. 

Categories: Architecture, George Washington, History, Travelling

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  3. It always makes me feel good to see some of our old buildings being restored and kept for the following generations. It also shows just how little it took for people to be happy back then – no TVs, computers, telephones. electrical appliances in this house, eh? Thanks for the tour, Maria.

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