The Ballroom.

One of the catalysts for the American Legion’s purchase of the buildings was the loss of the historic woodwork from Gadsby’s Tavern in 1917. At the time, curators from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City were searching for prime examples of Colonial architecture. When they came to Alexandria, they were shown the tavern where George Washington had dined and the ballroom where he had danced! The original front door of the 1792 building, several mantels, and the ballroom woodwork were purchased and then installed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s American Wing—where you can see the original ballroom woodwork today.