Gadsby's Tavern Museum

Diggory and I took the bus (yes, the bus) to Gadsby's Tavern Museum in Old Town Alexandria yesterday morning.  I'll start off by saying that the bus ride itself was a lovely adventure, and Diggory was so excited about it that we went out to the bus stop almost fifteen minutes early to wait with unbridled anticipation.  Silly goose.  Even though the route each way takes almost 45 minutes, Diggory was (mostly) content and happy and I don't mind taking a gander at the beautiful homes along upper King Street in the Rosemont neighborhood.  A girl can dream.  

"Ride bus, mommy? Hooray!"

Our bus route brought us to within one block of the museum at 134 N. Royal Street.  There are two entrances...one to the museum and one to the restaurant (which is really fun, by the way), but the museum entrance will be clearly marked.  As a bit of background, the museum actually consists of two buildings named for John Gadsby, who operated the c. 1785 tavern and the c. 1792 City Hotel between 1796 and 1808.  The establishment was the site of numerous theatrical performances, dances and balls, and meetings of local organizations, and welcomed the likes of George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and the Marquis de Lafayette as its guests.  

We were there to take part in the tavern's hospitality as well, meeting our friend Amanda and her two lovely children at the museum for Tavern Toddlers, a program for walkers through age 36 months held in the historic ballroom every Monday (September through April) from 10:30am to 12:00pm.  It's open play time with books and toys (blocks, a tunnel, and old-school clothespins...sounds weird, but Diggory thought they were awesome...etc.), music for dancing, and a craft.  The admission is $7.00 per child, but you can buy a pass of five visits for $30.00.  There were about 15 children there during the height of the organized chaos, which I'm told is a fairly typical turnout, though there are sometimes as few as four and as many as twenty...depending on the weather.    

Yep, we take our photo in mirrors.

Diggory and his pal inside the tunnel.

As for logistics...street parking with a two-hour meter limit is available all around the museum, but if you prefer the convenience and reliability of a parking garage, there's a garage under City Hall (on the adjacent block).  The entrance is on N. Fairfax Street...sort of across from the Carlyle House.  I wouldn't recommend bringing a stroller, because there are a lot of stairs, but if you do, you can park it inside the museum.  The ballroom is on the second floor (above the restaurant side of the building) and the restrooms are up more stairs from there, on the third floor.  There's no changing table, but I was told it's okay to change diapers in the ballroom, if you need to do that.  

In full disclosure, we did not actually tour the museum, but I did peak into some of the furnished rooms as we walked from the entrance to the ballroom.  It's a really interesting space, full of history, and I'll have to go back sometime for the comprehensive experience.

After our visit, we ventured a few blocks down King Street for lunch, and then hopped back on the bus for the ride home.  Diggory fell asleep, as I suspected he would, and I snapped the photo below.  It might very well be one of the last times my little boy falls asleep on my lap.  Sigh.  

Once again, we had an awesome time on our museum outing...and now it's time to think up our next big adventure!

Hush.  It's time for sleeping.