Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Gadsby's Tavern Ice Well
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 16, 2024
In 1793, the Alexandria Common Council granted permission for John Wise to build an icehouse underneath the corner of Royal and Cameron Streets as part of his construction of the new City Tavern.
This brick-lined ice well is a unique architectural feature, much larger than most ice wells. The well could store up to 62 tons of ice, enough ice to supply the tavern and even the citizens of Alexandria.
Blocks of ice, harvested from the Potomac River, were lowered through a hatch at street level. The blocks were pounded into one large ice mass and covered with straw to limit melting.
John Gadsby who leased the tavern from John Wise in 1796, capitalized on ice as an amenity to the tavern, selling it to the public for eight cents per pound in 1805.
Ice for Sale. Perſons may be ſupplied with ice, at eight cents per pound, on application to John Gadsby, June 20
[Additional plaques on the main sidewalk:]
You are standing on the location of the original ice well hatch, where hatch, where blocks of ice harvested from the Potomac River were lowered, stored, and used by the tavern.
Subterranean ice well constructed in 1793 for John Wise's City Tavern.
A brick-lined tunnel led from the tavern's basement to the ice well, allowing ice, chilling beverages, and perishable food items to be readily retrieved.
These pavers mark the perimeter of the ice well — up to 17 feet 3 inches in diameter at its largest point.
Erected 2013 by Gadsby's Tavern Museum; City of Alexandria.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Virginia, The City of Alexandria series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1793.
Location. 38° 48.343′ N, 77° 2.612′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. It is in Old Town. Marker is at the intersection of Cameron Street and North Royal Street, on the right when traveling east on Cameron Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 N Royal St, Alexandria VA 22314, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Gadsby’s Tavern (here, next to this marker); The Front Door of Gadsby's Tavern (a few steps from this marker); Alexandria Post No. 24, American Legion (a few steps from this marker); Restored Government of Virginia (a few steps from this marker); The Memorial Fountain (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Gadsby's Tavern
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 16, 2024
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 16, 2024
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 16, 2024
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 16, 2024
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 16, 2024
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 16, 2024
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 16, 2024
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 16, 2024
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 16, 2024
Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 17, 2024, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 50 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 17, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 7. submitted on February 16, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. submitted on March 17, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 13, 14. submitted on February 16, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.