The operation was large and Gadsby owned 42 slaves, most of whom worked at the hotel.During World War I the War department established a standard arrangement to be used by U.S. In 1827, The Baltimore Gazette recognized Gadsby as 'the first man who introduced the proper style and taste for public entertainments in this city.' It was a large hotel, and over time Gadsby introduced new features to the business, including a mechanically powered coffee roaster, reading room, and public baths. He took over management of the Indian Queen Hotel, located at the corner of Hanover and Baltimore Streets (known better now as the site of the former Mechanic Theatre). John Gadsby, most famous for entertaining the likes of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson at Alexandria's City Hotel, arrived in Baltimore in the fall of 1808.

Now begins the lesser-known part of the story. He and his party were released on September 16th and Key made his way to Baltimore. He quickly jotted down his thoughts 'in the fervor of the moment,' as he told his brother-in-law, Roger Brooke Taney. As the smoke cleared and the shelling ended on the morning of September 14th, Key saw the American flag still waving and was moved by the scene. Recognizing the group knew too much of the British plan of attack, they weren't allowed to head to shore until after the bombardment was complete.įor the next 24 hours, Key and his party watched and waited through smoke, rain, and fear. William Beanes, who had been arrested by the British after the burning of Washington.

He and John Skinner had just secured the release of American Dr. You've probably already heard the story of Francis Scott Key, trapped in the Baltimore Harbor during the British attack on Fort McHenry. Image from Gadsby's Tavern Museum, City of Alexandria, Virginia. John Gadsby, painted by his grandson John Gadsby Chapman in 1840.

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