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Gadsby's 18th Century Hi-Tech
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See Stephanie's Slide Show on Ice Wells and Ice
in Alexandria and the Slide
Show Notes Help us Renovate this bit of Alexandria's History |
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| ^^^^^^^^ Did you ever notice those strange lines on the sidewalk at the corner of Cameron and Royal outside of Gadsby's Tavern? >>>>>>>>> |
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^^^^^^ This ring indicates the boundary
of a piece of 18th century technology still visible today. The
subterranean brick-lined shaft is conveniently located directly next to Gadsby's
Tavern. Around 1793 John Wise, the man who built what is today known as Gadsby's Tavern, had this ice well constructed for his new high-class establishment. Mr. Wise's addition to his "City Tavern" is considered architecturally significant since it one of the few remaining urban ice wells. <<<<The viewing area was installed when the ice well was restored and excavated for the Bicentennial celebration in 1976. |
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Wise designed his well to be accessible from the basement of the tavern
through a brick-lined vaulted passageway and also included access by way
of a removable panel from the street level.
Here you see the inside of the ice well during the original renovations. >>>>> The ice well is approximately 17’3” at its widest point and about 11’9” deep at the lowest excavation point which is a very large size for such urban facilities. |
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Ice blocks were irregularly shaped before the horse drawn cutters of the 1850s
It was easier to pound the blocks into one solid mass
which created less surface area
Ice was packed with straw and sawdust for insulation
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"ICE FOR SALE
PERSONS MAY BE SUPPLIED WITH ICE AT Advertisement June 20, 1805 |
Mr. Gadsby's ice well could hold at least 68 tons of ice which would last at least through most of the summer. Ice was used in - Preserving perishable food - Cooling beverages (not ice cubes!) - Making ice cream and other frozen desserts Ice cream was served at the homes of Washington, Jefferson, and Madison as well as in confectioner’s shops and taverns. |
| View the Alexandria Ice and Ice Wells Presentation | Slide Presentation Notes |
| GTMS HOME | Support the Ice Well Renovations |
