The Gadsby's Tavern Ice Well (Historical Marker)

Here follows the inscription written on this roadside historical marker:

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.


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An older marker stood here but was removed. Here is what it said:

Underground ice wells were used in the 18th and 19th centuries to store ice for use during the warm months. In Alexandria, blocks of ice were cut from the Potomac River. Ice was placed in this well through a square opening which is marked in the pavement above.

The well consist of shallow brick dome, a circular brick shaft 15' deep and 17' in diameter and a sand floor. A brick tunnel extends from the well to the basement of the tavern. Originally the well was completely underground. In 1976 it was strengthened by the installation of steel bands, and the wing area and windows were installed.

This well, a rare survivor, served the tavern and the town. Tavern keeper John Gadsby sold ice in 1805 for 8¢ per pound. The ice well was restored by the City of Alexandria in 1976 as part of the restoration of Gadsby Tavern. You may tour Gadsby's Tavern Museum to learn more about the well or the tavern.

Ice from this well was served to George Washington! This c.1793 subterranean ice well was constructed by tavern keeper John Wise to provided the tavern with a ready supply of ice and a way to refrigerate food and drinks. Ice was harvested from local rivers during the winter months and was smoothed into a solid mass so that it would last into the summer months. The ability to provide ice as an amenity, serve chilled beverages and the most fashionable iced desserts of the time - including flavored ice cream - made Gadsby's Tavern a five-star hotel in its day.

The museum is raising money to make this ice well more visible to visitors like you. Restoration plans include improved viewing panels, better lighting, a raised viewing desk, and interpretive signage.

Ice for Sale.
Persons may be supplied with ICE, at eight cents per pound, on application to John Gadsby. June 20, 3t
Alexandria Advertiser, June 20, 1805