At Gadsby’s Tavern, History Comes Alive

Gadsby’s Tavern is located in Old Town Alexandria, near Washington, D.C.

Gadsby’s Tavern has been serving guests since the late 1700s. The dining establishment, which now includes a museum, is located in Old Town Alexandria, one of the original settlements of Alexandria, Virginia. Gadsby’s is now a nonprofit institution run by the city of Alexandria.

In the early days of the country, Gadsby’s Tavern was a popular drinking establishment owned by John Gadsby. He had moved from England with his wife and daughters. Gadsby decided to establish his first business in Alexandria, which was then a major shipping port. 

The historic site consists of two buildings. The tavern dates back to about 1785, and the City Tavern and Hotel began operating in 1792. At the time, Alexandria was part of Washington, D.C., which would become the nation’s capital in 1800. 

Birthday celebrations were held at Gadsby’s for President George Washington. 

GEORGE WASHINGTON’S HOMETOWN

In the late 1700s, Founding Fathers and foreign dignitaries alike charted the country’s future at Gadsby’s. George Washington, who served as the first President of the United States, from 1789 until 1797, had a home in Alexandria.

Gadsby’s, then called the City Hotel, hosted two celebrations in honor of Washington’s birthday, one in 1788 and one in 1789. The parties were known as Birthnight Balls. The ballroom’s original walls have since been removed and put on display at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. 

When Thomas Jefferson won the 1800 presidential election, Gadsby’s hosted his inaugural celebration on January 2, 1801. Aaron Burr, his opponent, also attended the celebration.

Like Washington, Jefferson, and other prominent individuals at the time, Gadsby owned enslaved people. Some of them worked at the tavern and hotel, catering to the needs of visitors. Two dining rooms offered different experiences for guests. One was for individuals who were wealthy, the other for those with more modest means.  

Coco tours Gadsby’s dining room with Vivienne Hopkins, a junior docent and mentor. 

JUNIOR DOCENTS

During the summer, students between the ages of 9 and 13 serve as docents at Gadsby’s. Older students who have gone through the program become mentors.

I recently spoke with Kristy Huettner, the volunteer program coordinator who leads the docent program. She said that “a docent generally refers to someone who explains or interprets what you see in a museum or cathedral.”

According to Huettner, the volunteer docents have proven to be a big hit, especially with kids who visit. “Young people may learn more from someone closer to their age, or ask questions they may not ask an adult,” Huettner said.

“It’s a really fun thing to do,” said Vivienne Hopkins, 15, a junior docent who is now a mentor. “I’ve made several friends here.” 

The docents tell visitors about the enslaved people who worked as cooks, chambermaids, and servers. The young volunteers also help with hands-on demonstrations. One is a lesson in the history of chocolate. Vivienne said that the chocolate station is one of the most popular.

When asked about her goals for the program, Huettner said, “Most important to me is that we have a good time, that this is a happy place, and a space to ask hard questions.” 

Junior docents can do research on the historic rooms at Gadsby’s. Vivienne told me how exciting it was to be in a room that George Washington once visited. For those who live in the area, tryouts to become a docent take place in March. Students in grades four through seven can apply.  

Vivienne shows Coco a portrait of John Gadsby, the 18th-century tavern owner who immigrated from England.