George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson experienced Gadsby's Tavern and now you can too!
The location where Gadsby's Tavern stands in Alexandria, Virginia has been the home of taverns since the 1750s. Today, 2 remaining structures, the ca. 1785 tavern and the 1792 City Tavern & Hotel have been preserved and opened to the public as Gadsby's Tavern Museum. They are named for tavern keeper John Gadsby who operated them from 1796 to 1808.
The Tavern in a Trunk outreach kit is an interactive way of teaching students about the past. Working from primary sources including maps, diary entries and early newspaper ads, students discover what life was like in the 18th century and explore the important role a tavern played in society. The trunk contains over a week's worth of lessons and activities, recommended for grades 1 thru 8.
Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first served basis. In order to request a reservation for use of the trunk, you may call the Curator of Education at 703-838-4242 or fill out the on-line reservation form.
The Trunk Contains:
- Powerpoint presentation about traveling to Alexandria in the 18th century
- Discussion of maps describing Alexandria and the Chesapeake Region
- Use of 18th-century advertisements showing the role of the tavern in society
- Quotations from early travelers from letters and diaries about tavern life
- Runaway slave ads providing insight into the lives of enslaved African Americans
- Hands-on objects which reveal and illustrate early-American life
- Music, instruction, and information about dancing in the 18th-century
- Craft projects, recipes, colonial signs, and more!
Gadsby's Tavern Museum School Tours
