ballroom of the City Tavern. The Marquis de Lafayette was also guest to festivities at the City Tavern during his tour of the United States in 1824. The Tavern Museum restoration Threatened with demolition in the early 20th century, the buildings were saved and preserved by efforts first undertaken by F. Clinton Knight and carried on by the American Legion, Post 24, along with other patriotic groups. The buildings were reopened in 1976, after extensive renovation, by the City of Alexandria as a museum dedicated to preserving and interpreting the social and cultural heritage of Alexandria by teaching the public about the site and its significant contributions. Clint Knight, a former city councilman, postmaster, and commander of Post 24 mortgaged his home to help purchase the Tavern. The renovators reproduced on the second floor of the Tavern the woodwork of the ballroom that the Metropolitan Museum of Art had earlier acquired. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1963. The Tavern Museum today Today, the City of Alexandria continues their preservation and interpretation through Gadsby's Tavern Museum and by leasing the restaurant space, in the 1792 hotel building, to a private restaurateur. The original ballroom woodwork can still be seen at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The museum offers daily tours for individuals and families, and group tours by appointment. Admission is charged. The museum is part of the American Whiskey Trail, which provides an educational journey into the history and cultural heritage of distilled spirits in American society. See also Thirteen Colonies American Revolution Confederation Period Federalist Era Founding Fathers Mount Vernon Monticello List of National Historic Landmarks in Virginia National Register of Historic Places listings in Alexandria, Virginia References External links Gadsby's Tavern Restaurant Tourist overview The American Legion Post 24, Alexandria, VA Drinking establishments on the National Register of Historic Places in Virginia Commercial buildings completed in 1785 Hotel buildings completed in 1792 Archaeological sites in Virginia George Washington History museums in Virginia Museums in Alexandria, Virginia National Historic Landmarks in Virginia Virginia culture Institutions accredited by the American Alliance of Museums Georgian architecture in Virginia Taverns in Virginia National Register of Historic Places in Alexandria, Virginia Historic American Buildings Survey in Virginia Hotel buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Virginia