Gadsby's Tavern Museum

08/30/2024

Earlier this summer, our interns from Alexandria Archaeology and Historic Alexandria, VA shared what they have been working on with staff at a Lunch and Learn. Projects included helping to facilitate summer camp, preparing event materials for a pop-up at the Buried Ships of Robinson Landing Exhibit, and labeling artifacts in the Alexandria Archaeology Public Lab. We appreciate all of our wonderful interns!

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

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.

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

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!

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.

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

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 …

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!

04/26/2022

Don't miss your chance to toast 30 years of GTMS on Sunday!

Thirty years ago a small group of history-lovers joined together to find new (and fun) ways to support Alexandria's historic gem, Gadsby's Tavern Museum. To begin our year of celebrating this milestone, GTMS is planning a birthday party and you are invited!

04/07/2022

Mark your calendar for May 1 and sing Happy Birthday to our Friends Group! 🎂🎉

Thirty years ago a small group of history-lovers joined together to find new (and fun) ways to support Alexandria's historic gem, Gadsby's Tavern Museum. To begin our year of celebrating our 30th year, GTMS is planning a birthday party in the rooms where George Washington danced and Thomas Jefferson held his inaugural dinner. And you are invited! Join us for this fun event!
https://www.gadsbystavernmuseum.us/events/anniversary

03/18/2022

Do you know a child who enjoys learning + talking about history AND loves chocolate? Gadsby’s Tavern Museum’s Junior Docent Program is back with an exciting new offering thanks to American Heritage Chocolate! Gadsby's is now accepting applicants in grades 4 - 7 for this popular program. Junior Docents are trained to provide stationed tours as well as share the history of chocolate on select Sunday afternoons during the summer. For more information, visit: https://www.alexandriava.gov/news-oha/news/2022-02-22/gadsbys-tavern-museum-now-accepting-junior-docent-applications