Barney Circle in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Gadsby Vault
Established in 1836 by hotelier John Gadsby, this structure was built to house many members of his family. An immigrant from England, Gadsby started his career in Alexandria in 1795. His reputation for fine hospitality was sealed at the City Tavern, where he and his enslaved workers entertained the likes of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
He moved to Baltimore in 1808, operating the Indian Queen Hotel during the Battle of Baltimore in 1814. Gadsby hosted Francis Scott Key after his pivotal fight, and it is here where Key made the final edits to the famous song that was to become the National Anthem.
In 1823, Gadsby moved to Washington, D.C., and ran the Franklin House and National Hotels. During his time in D.C., he and his enslaved workers hosted Lafayette, Andrew Jackson, Commodore John Rodgers (buried at Range 56, Site 152), countless diplomats, military officers and elected officials. He died in 1844, "long known as a respectable and useful citizen."
In this vault are members of his family and extended family: John Gadsby
Third wife Provey, their daughter Virginia, and three young children
Two sons John Jr. & George
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Daughter Augusta and her husband, as well as many of their family members
Two great grandsons by his grandson, American painter, John Gadsby Chapman
One grandson by his daughter Ann Gadsby Newton
Rosa Marks, an enslaved worker of the Gadsby family
Visit Gadsby's City Tavern now part of Gadsby's Tavern Museum and learn about 18th century Alexandria and the tavern's place in history
Erected by Historic Congressional Cemetery.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Immigration • Industry & Commerce • War of 1812. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.
Location. 38° 52.897′ N, 76° 58.712′ W. Marker is in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Barney Circle. It can be reached from the intersection of E Street Southeast and Potomac Avenue Southeast, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1631 G St SE, Washington DC 20003, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 4, 2022
2. Gadsby Vault with the marker to the right of the doorway
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Public Vault (a few steps from this marker); Commemorating The American Revolutionary Service of General Peterson Goodwyn (within shouting distance of this marker); Flora Adams Darling (within shouting distance of this marker); Congressional Cemetery Government Lots (within shouting distance of this marker); Adelaide Johnson (within shouting distance of this marker); Alain LeRoy Locke (within shouting distance of this marker); Lee Dittman Shapiro 1949-1987 / James T. Lindelof 1957-1987 (within shouting distance of this marker); Mountjoy Bayly (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southeast Washington.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 275 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 4, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
