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The Willard Hotel: An Illustrated History
This magnificent book is truly the definitive text of this hotel from 1818-1986. From its birth to near destruction to a splendid rebirth in 1986, the book traces its history through prose and hundreds of old, historic photos, prints and etchings, photos of the actual restoration, plus 16 pages of exquisite color photographs.
112 pages, Paperback
First published June 30, 1986
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March 31, 2012
I love hotels and the Willard is my favorite (a close second is the Drake in Memphis.) Ever since I was a kid I wanted to at least visit the Willard. I think it has something to do with the Wilkes Booth cabal, which I can never get enough of, and was horribly upset when it shut its door years ago. I fact, I remember driving by it in the very early 1980s and feeling sorta sick.
Thankfully, the Willard reopened in 1986 and what a splendid restoration and space it is. The Willard is currently out of my price range, but that doesn't mean I can't visit it. A couple years ago, I spent the afternoon sitting in the lobby pretending I was a guest I nearly got the vapors walking through Peacock Alley. For some reason I didn't decamp at the Round Robin, and regret it.
Anyway, I picked up "The Willard Hotel: An Illustrated History" that trip. It's a really nice pictorial history of the hotel (and not intended to be a detailed history.) While the history could be a little better organized (some of the chronology of the middle years jumps back and forth--which is why I'm giving the book 4 stars and not 5 )the many many pictures are marvelous and worth the price of the book ($23.95) Of particular contemporary is the last chapter on the pains of restoration and the huge amount of careful work that went into not onn saving the hotels, which was in ruins, but the historical accuracy that went into its revival.
If you love hotels, especially those with a rich history this is a must-haven book.
Thankfully, the Willard reopened in 1986 and what a splendid restoration and space it is. The Willard is currently out of my price range, but that doesn't mean I can't visit it. A couple years ago, I spent the afternoon sitting in the lobby pretending I was a guest I nearly got the vapors walking through Peacock Alley. For some reason I didn't decamp at the Round Robin, and regret it.
Anyway, I picked up "The Willard Hotel: An Illustrated History" that trip. It's a really nice pictorial history of the hotel (and not intended to be a detailed history.) While the history could be a little better organized (some of the chronology of the middle years jumps back and forth--which is why I'm giving the book 4 stars and not 5 )the many many pictures are marvelous and worth the price of the book ($23.95) Of particular contemporary is the last chapter on the pains of restoration and the huge amount of careful work that went into not onn saving the hotels, which was in ruins, but the historical accuracy that went into its revival.
If you love hotels, especially those with a rich history this is a must-haven book.
Displaying 1 of 1 review