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River, fresh produce and meats from Mar- Both Thomas Jefferson and George Washington attended the Bruton Parish
ket Square and imported delicacies sold Church in Colonial Williamsburg. It was built in 1660.
by local merchants. To compliment the
food, guests consumed cider, beer, wine,
whiskey, and the tavern’s specialty - rum
punch.
The tavern was the location for many so-
cial events, dancing assemblies, theatrical
and musical performances and meetings
of local organizations. Gadsby’s Tavern is
most famous for its Birthnight Ball tradi-
tion, a birthday celebration held in honor
of George Washington. Both George and
Martha Washington attended this event
at Gadsby’s Tavern in 1798 and 1799. An-
other notable patron included Thomas
Jefferson, who celebrated his inauguration
as the third president of the United States
with a banquet at Mr. Gadsby’s in 1801.
As we savored the last few bites of the
authentic, colonial-style lunch, our atten-
No lie – the Birthnight Ball was held at tion now turned to George Washington’s ourselves of kings. We are free citizens.”
Gadsby’s Tavern in honor of George estate, Mount Vernon, which is also in George Washington truly is the father
Washington, who attended the event Alexandria. of our nation. He was good, honest and
in 1798 and 1799. brave – eternal and yet rare qualities.
MOUNT VERNON When all seemed lost, Washington led
ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG the Americans to victory over the greatest
The mansion and farm were acquired by army in the world at that time. By the way,
Washington in 1754 and restored to look George Washington freed all of his slaves.
as it did in 1799, the year he died.
As Terry and I returned home to Sun City
You enter Mount Vernon through the Reyn- 7H[DVZHUHÁHFWHGXSRQWKHXQLTXHQHVVRI
olds Museum and Education Center. Phe- this American experiment. What if John
nomenal artifacts, original objects from the Rolfe had not found the seeds that pro-
Revolutionary War, help us experience and duced the amazing tobacco that became
understand the heroism and outstanding a worldwide bonanza? If Jamestown had
FKDUDFWHURIRXUQDWLRQ·VÀUVWSUHVLGHQW failed, what would America be like today?
The grounds at Mount Vernon are spec- What if Jefferson didn’t write the Declara-
WDFXODUZKLFKGUHZXVRXWVLGHRQFHZHÀQ- tion of Independence and the Constitution?
ished the mansion tour. There we visited What if George Washington had acqui-
the perfumed gardens, the farm, the Slave esced to the whispers about being king?
Memorial and burial ground, the wharf Alas, this great American experiment
ZKHUH:DVKLQJWRQJUHZDVXFFHVVIXOÀVKHU\ KDVDOZD\VKDGWRÀQGLWVZD\:KDWKDV
EXVLQHVVDQGÀQDOO\:DVKLQJWRQ·VWRPE always guided it, however, are those like
Jefferson, Washington and Adams, who
Many leaders close to George Washington spent years in service to their country.
whispered in his ear: “You can be king,”
but he rejected such notions. “We have rid
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