George Washington Statue

Create your own walking and driving tours to follow in Washington's footsteps. Here are just some of the many Alexandria sites which Washington visited in his day.

Following in his footsteps...

Alexandria Taverns
	Alexandria Churches and Schools
			Alexandria Businesses
			Alexandria Homes

Gadsby's Tavern Museum

As Alexandria grew into a regional center, taverns were among the most numerous establishments crowded in among the stores, warehouses, and homes of the bustling seaport. By 1800, there were dozens of taverns in Alexandria. George Washington visited a number of these establishments to dine, socialize and meet with business associates.

Gadsby's Tavern Museum
134 N. Royal Street
703-838-4242
Open to the Public

Gadsby's Tavern is the only remaining colonial tavern in Alexandria which has been preserved as a museum. Gadsby's Tavern consists of two buildings, a Georgian style tavern which was built circa 1785 and a Federal style City Hotel constructed in 1792. Today, both buildings are named for tavern keeper John Gadsby who operated the taverns between 1796 and 1808. Mr. Gadsby's establishment was a center of Alexandria political, business and social life in early Alexandria. Prominent patrons include George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de Lafayette. On Washington's last birthday he danced with Martha in the Tavern's ballroom.

In Washington's time the tavern was the setting for dancing assemblies, theatrical and musical performances, and meetings of local organizations. Today the Gadsby's Tavern Museum still serves all of these functions. Patrons can still take dancing lessons or attend the annual Birthnight Ball.

Duvall's Tavern
305 Cameron Street

George Washington attended a reception here when he resigned his commission as Commander in Chief at the end of the Revolutionary War, December 31, 1783.

Wise's Tavern
201 N. Fairfax Street

Washington met here with directors of the Potomack Company to plan a canal to connect Alexandria with the C&O Canal. He also danced here in celebration of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1788 and at birthday balls in 1792 and 1794.

Site of Royal George Tavern
Northwest Corner of North Royal and Cameron Streets

Washington attended a ball here in 1760, and wrote: "In a convenient room detached for the purpose abounded a great plenty of Bread and Butter, some biscuits with tea and coffee, which the Drinkers could not distinguish from Hot Water sweetened. Be it remembered that pocket handkerchiefs served for the purpose of tablecloths and napkins and that no Apologies were made for either" (Diaries of George Washington). The tavern was named for King George III until the revolution, when it was renamed The George and its sign replaced with a picture of George Washington.

Site of Lomax's Tavern
South Side of Princess Street between Lee and Fairfax Streets

The Potomack Company was formed here in 1785, under the leadership of George Washington, for the purpose of building a canal to improve navigation. When the Marquis de Lafayette paid his celebrated visit to Mount Vernon and Alexandria in 1784, he dined here with Washington and prominent Alexandrians.

Site of McKnight's Tavern
Northwest Corner of Royal and King Streets

Washington is said to have frequented this tavern. The son of the proprietor later wrote that Washington had "worked like a working man" to help fight a fire at the tavern in 1787.

Christ Church

Alexandria Academy

Christ Church
Cameron and N. Washington Streets
703-549-1450
Open to the Public

This English country-style church was built between 1767 and 1773. George Washington was on the vestry, and his pew is marked with a plaque. Washington attended services here during his last recorded visit to Alexandria on November 17, 1799.

Old Presbyterian Meeting House
321 S. Fairfax Street
703-549-6670

Built in 1774, the old meeting house was the site of memorial services for George Washington on December 29, 1799.

Alexandria Academy
604 Wolfe Street

The historic Alexandria Academy is a landmark in the history of public education in Virginia and in the United States. Built between 1785 and 1786 by leading citizens of Alexandria, the simple school was the home to one of the first experiments in public education in the new nation. Funded by George Washington, the Academy included a free school for poor orphans and the children of the city's poor, offering instruction in the basics of education. Washington left a bequest in his will to endow the school. The building hass being restored by the Historic Alexandria Foundation. For more information contact the Foundation at 703/549-5811.

Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum

Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
105-107 S. Fairfax Street
703-836-3713
Open to the Public

In 1792, a young Quaker pharmacist named Edward Stabler started the family business which operated continuously for 141 years. The business was relocated to this site in 1796. Most of the original herbs, potions and paper labels remain in their drawers and over 8,000 objects such as medical glassware and furnishings are still in place. Prominent patrons included the George Washington family, James Monroe and Robert E. Lee. In 1802 a note was sent from Mount Vernon to Mr. Stabler that "Mrs. Washington desires Mr. Stabler will send by the bearer, a quart bottle of his best caster Oil, and the bill for it." Two of General Washington's attending physicians, Dr.s James Craik and Elisha Cullen Dick, were also customers.

Bank of Alexandria
133 N. Fairfax Street

Established in 1792, this was the first financial institution authorized by the General Assembly of Virginia. The bank lists George Washington as a patron, depositor and stockholder. Washington owned 25 shares, valued at $200 each. This building was completed for the bank in 1807 and is one of the oldest surviving commerical structures in Alexandria and a fine local example of Federal architecture.

Market Square
301 King Street

Market Square is thought to be the site of the nations oldest continually operating farmer's market. George Washington sent wagons of produce from Mount Vernon to be sold here. Visit the farmer's market any Saturday (year round) from 5 - 10 am. Washington was a member and Master of the Masonic Lodge which located in the first city hall and courthouse building on the site of the current City Hall.

Replica of George Washington's Townhouse

Replica of George Washington Townhouse
508 Cameron Street

George Washington purchased this lot on May 9, 1763 for ten pounds, ten shillings. By 1769, a small house, stable and outbuildings had been erected. While the house was often rented or lent to friends and family, records show that Washington used this house while in Alexandria. Washington's letters refer to spending the night in Alexandria "at my own house," and give detailed orders for fencing the property, paining and other repairs. The structure was demolished in 1855 and reconstructed in 1960.

Carlyle House
121 N. Fairfax Street
703-549-2997

Open to the Public Completed in 1753, this Georgian Palladian manor was home to Scottish merchant and town founder John Carlyle. Carlyle entertained George Washington on both social and business occasions. Washington really did sleep here! The Carlyle daughters, Sarah and Ann, traveled to Mount Vernon for music lessons with Martha Washington's children.

Boyhood Home of Robert E. Lee
607 Oronoco Street

This elegant mansion was the home of Confederate General Robert E. Lee for most of his boyhood years. In the drawing room of this Federal townhouse, Mary Lee Fitzhugh married George Washington Parke Custis, grandson of Martha Washington. Later, the house was occupied by the family of Robert E. Lee.

Home of Dr. James Craik
210 Duke Street

Dr. Craik, physician to George Washington, purchased this house in 1795 and lived here until 1809. In his will, George Washington called Dr. Craik his "compatriot in arms, and old and intimate friend." Craik, one of three physicians who attended Washington in this final illness, wrote that he "kissed the cold hand which I held in my bosom, laid it down, and for some time was lost in profound grief."

Home of Dr. Elisha Cullen Dick
211 Prince Street

Dr. Craik called Dr. Dick for consultation during Washington's final illness. As Master of the Alexandria Masonic Lodge, Dr. Dick conducted full Masonic rites at Washington's funeral. According to tax records, Dr. Dick may have also lived at 209 Prince Street at one time.

George Washington Bicentennial Links

Part of a nationwide celebration in honor of our first President, these pages were created in 1999 to commemorate the anniversary of George Washington's death.

George Washington's Hometown | Following in Washington's Footsteps | Commemorating George Washington
Celebrating at the Birthnight Ball | George Washington and Alexandria History