The George Washington Hotel (Winchester, Virginia) facts for kids
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The George Washington Hotel
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The George Washington Hotel, Winchester, Virginia
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 103 E. Piccadilly Street, Winchester, Virginia |
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| Built | 1924, 1929, 1950/1951 |
| Architect | Clarence L. Harding; Marcellus Wright |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 10000383 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | June 24, 2010 |
The George Washington Hotel is a famous old hotel in downtown Winchester, Virginia. It was built in 1924 by The American Hotel Corporation. This hotel was part of their "Colonial Chain" of hotels. Like many hotels back then, it was built close to a train station. This made it easy for train travelers to find a place to stay.
Contents
Hotel History
Early Days
The George Washington Hotel first opened its doors in 1924. It was a five-story building. The hotel was first shaped like the letter "L." It had a small kitchen area in the back.
When it first opened, the hotel had 102 rooms. It also had 45 bathrooms. On the lowest floor, you could find a barber shop. There was also a cafeteria and a candy shop. A men's clothing store was there too.
In 1929, the hotel got bigger. A new part was added. This new section gave the hotel 50 more rooms. After this addition, the building looked like the letter "C."
Later, in 1950, the hotel was updated. It even got a Howard Johnson's restaurant inside. The George Washington Hotel was also the main place for the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival. Many famous people stayed here. These guests included Lucille Ball and Jack Dempsey.
Hotel Closes
Over time, fewer people traveled by train. More people started using cars and highways. This meant fewer guests came to the hotel. Because of this, the hotel closed in 1978.
From 1978 to 1993, the building was used differently. It became a home for older adults. It was called The George Washington Home for Adults. After 1993, the building was empty for eleven years.
New Beginning
In 2004, someone bought the George Washington Hotel. They worked to make it new again. The hotel reopened in April 2008. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. This means it's an important historic building.
Today, the hotel has 90 guestrooms. It also has an indoor pool and a hot tub. There is a fitness room for exercise. You can also eat at its restaurant, "Georges Food And Spirits." The hotel is now managed by Wyndham Hotels. It is known as The George Washington – A Wyndham Grand Hotel.
