Discover George Washington"s Tavern in Alexandria
The historic Old Town of Alexandria, Virginia, oozes all the charm of the old world, offering visitors a superb sample of what life was like for our forefathers, and all in the shadow of our nation's capital and one of the World's leading cities, Washington D.
C.
Boasting a great variety of architectural styles such as early American, Georgian, Federal, Colonial and Greek revival, a staggering amount of over 4,000 Old Town Alexandria structures are classified as historic buildings.
Indeed, more than 200 date from as far back as the 18th Century, including the rapidly and cheaply constructed type of building known as a Flounder.
Indeed, some streets still retain the original cobblestone construction and the brick sidewalks of Old Town Alexandria, which when surrounded by the plethora of authentic historic houses all conspire to give visitors a totally authentic taste of the late 18th Century.
It was at this port that the Continental Army assembled and it was also at one of its still-existing taverns that the nation's first president would drink.
Post Revolution, George Washington was said to have enjoyed a ride from his palatial home at Mount Vernon to Gadsby's Tavern in Alexandria, where he attended banquets and discussed the state of the nation with his peers over a beer or hard cider.
Although not named Gadsby's Tavern until the early 19th Century, it stands on the same spot as the original 1770s tavern patronised by Washington.
However, today's Gadsby's is a much larger amalgamation of the original tavern, joined with the City Hotel - one of the first hotels in Alexandria, constructed in 1792.
These days it is a genteel drinking hole and restaurant that warmly welcomes both sexes, but back in Washington's time it was significantly different.
The Taproom was certainly no place for a lady, being deemed far too rough for patronage of the fairer sex.
In those days it would have been awash with men drinking, smoking and occasionally fighting.
By visiting the tavern's restored rooms it is still possible to get a sanitised flavour of the original tavern; bar tenders dress as they would have in the 18th Century.
But, with no menus and no refrigeration, eating at the tavern was very different to today; food was laid out in the main room and consumed on the same day, as much as possible heaped onto a plate before a drinker retired to a seat to discuss matters with fellow patrons while eating and drinking.
As well as being patronised by Washington, other famous names from the past frequented Gadsby's, including founding fathers Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Monroe and James Madison.
Many of those who visited the tavern during its early years almost universally acclaimed it as the 'finest tavern in America'.
They would doubtless not be surprised to learn that their favourite tavern is still going strong some 230 years later.
C.
Boasting a great variety of architectural styles such as early American, Georgian, Federal, Colonial and Greek revival, a staggering amount of over 4,000 Old Town Alexandria structures are classified as historic buildings.
Indeed, more than 200 date from as far back as the 18th Century, including the rapidly and cheaply constructed type of building known as a Flounder.
Indeed, some streets still retain the original cobblestone construction and the brick sidewalks of Old Town Alexandria, which when surrounded by the plethora of authentic historic houses all conspire to give visitors a totally authentic taste of the late 18th Century.
It was at this port that the Continental Army assembled and it was also at one of its still-existing taverns that the nation's first president would drink.
Post Revolution, George Washington was said to have enjoyed a ride from his palatial home at Mount Vernon to Gadsby's Tavern in Alexandria, where he attended banquets and discussed the state of the nation with his peers over a beer or hard cider.
Although not named Gadsby's Tavern until the early 19th Century, it stands on the same spot as the original 1770s tavern patronised by Washington.
However, today's Gadsby's is a much larger amalgamation of the original tavern, joined with the City Hotel - one of the first hotels in Alexandria, constructed in 1792.
These days it is a genteel drinking hole and restaurant that warmly welcomes both sexes, but back in Washington's time it was significantly different.
The Taproom was certainly no place for a lady, being deemed far too rough for patronage of the fairer sex.
In those days it would have been awash with men drinking, smoking and occasionally fighting.
By visiting the tavern's restored rooms it is still possible to get a sanitised flavour of the original tavern; bar tenders dress as they would have in the 18th Century.
But, with no menus and no refrigeration, eating at the tavern was very different to today; food was laid out in the main room and consumed on the same day, as much as possible heaped onto a plate before a drinker retired to a seat to discuss matters with fellow patrons while eating and drinking.
As well as being patronised by Washington, other famous names from the past frequented Gadsby's, including founding fathers Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Monroe and James Madison.
Many of those who visited the tavern during its early years almost universally acclaimed it as the 'finest tavern in America'.
They would doubtless not be surprised to learn that their favourite tavern is still going strong some 230 years later.
