Mount Washington Hotel facts for kids
|
The Mount Washington Hotel
|
|
Mount Washington Hotel in 2011
|
|
 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 310 Mount Washington Hotel Rd., Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Built | 1900–1902 |
| Architect | Charles Alling Gifford |
| Architectural style | Renaissance Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000213 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | September 27, 1978 |
| Designated NHL | June 24, 1986 |
The Mount Washington Hotel is a famous hotel in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, United States. It is located close to the impressive Mount Washington. This grand hotel was designed by Charles Alling Gifford.
A very important event happened here in 1944. The hotel hosted the Bretton Woods Conference. This meeting created two major global organizations: the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. These groups help countries work together on money matters.
The hotel is part of the town of Carroll, New Hampshire. It is also near the Bretton Woods ski resort. You can find it at the northern end of Crawford Notch, about 6 miles (10 km) east of Twin Mountain on U.S. Route 302.
In 2015, the hotel and the ski resort were bought by Omni Mount Washington LLC. They are now run by Omni Hotels & Resorts and are officially called the Omni Mount Washington Resort. The hotel is also a member of Historic Hotels of America. This program recognizes special hotels that have kept their history alive.
Contents
Building a Dream Hotel
The Mount Washington Hotel was built between 1900 and 1902. It cost about $1.7 million back then. This would be a huge amount of money today! The hotel was the dream of Joseph Stickney. He was from Concord, New Hampshire. Stickney had become very rich as a coal broker in Pennsylvania.
Before building this hotel, Stickney and his partner had bought another large hotel nearby. Stickney wanted his new hotel to be a super fancy place. He imagined it as a perfect escape for people from busy cities.
How the Hotel Was Built
Joseph Stickney brought in 250 skilled Italian workers to build the hotel. These artisans were experts in working with granite and stucco. Construction began in 1900. The hotel has a unique Y-shape. It officially opened its doors on July 28, 1902.
When it was finished, the hotel was enormous! It had over 2,000 doors and 12,000 windows. There were also more than eleven miles of pipes for plumbing.
At the opening party, Stickney joked, "Look at me, gentlemen ... for I am the poor fool who built all this!" Sadly, he passed away from a heart attack within a year, at age 64.
Changes Over Time
After Joseph Stickney died, his wife, Carolyn Stickney, spent her summers at the hotel for ten years. She added new parts, like the Sun Dining Room and more guest rooms. She also built a chapel to honor her late husband.
The hotel was very successful under its first manager, John Anderson. However, times became tough for hotels. New things like income tax, Prohibition (when alcohol was banned), and the Great Depression (a time of severe economic hardship) made it harder for the hotel business.
In 1936, Mrs. Stickney's nephew, Foster Reynolds, took over the hotel. But it had to close in 1942 because of World War II.
The Famous Bretton Woods Conference
In 1944, a group from Boston bought the hotel for about $450,000. That same year, the hotel hosted the very important Bretton Woods money conference. This meeting created the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. These organizations still play a big role in the world economy today.
The hotel owners were paid $300,000 because they lost business during the conference. They were also promised $18 per person per day for the 19-day meeting. After the conference, a special plaque was placed outside each bedroom door. It showed which country's representative had stayed in that room!
Modern Features and Recognition
The Mount Washington Hotel and Resort is one of the last grand hotels left in the White Mountains. It has an 18-hole golf course designed by the famous Donald Ross. There's also the hotel's original 9-hole course.
In 1986, the hotel was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a place of great historical importance in the United States.
For many years, the hotel would close in the fall and reopen in the spring. But in 1999, it opened for its first winter season! Before this, the whole hotel was updated with new, energy-efficient windows.
In 2009, the resort added a huge 50,000 square foot (4,645 square meter) expansion. This included a 25,000 square foot (2,322 square meter) spa and a large conference center.
Fun Facts and Culture
The hotel has even been featured on TV! It appeared in two episodes of the show Ghost Hunters. The TAPS team, which investigates paranormal activity, searched the hotel in 2008.
Images for kids
-
The hotel around 1910
-
The Hemicycle around 1910
-
Assembly Hall, looking from the Ballroom around 1910
-
Mount Washington Hotel Presidential Wing view, 2014
-
The Gold Room where the International Monetary Fund and World Bank were established during the 1944 Bretton Woods Conference
Omni Bretton Arms Inn
|
Bretton Arms
|
|
|
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
|
| Location | Bretton Woods, New Hampshire |
|---|---|
| Part of | Mount Washington Resort |
The Omni Bretton Arms Inn is another hotel within the larger Mount Washington Resort. It was originally built as a house in 1896. For many years, the Bretton Arms was used as housing for the hotel staff.
This inn has also been recognized by the Historic Hotels of America program.
See also
- List of Historic Hotels of America
- List of National Historic Landmarks in New Hampshire
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Coos County, New Hampshire
