Established in 1973 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Preservation Month is co-sponsored by local preservation groups, state historical societies, and business and civic organizations nationwide. This year’s Preservation Month theme is “People Saving Places,” to which we give our amazing hotels credit for preserving their properties for all to enjoy for generations to come.
Discover & Explore the stories of preserving Historic Hotels this month!
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Stockbridge, Massachusetts (1773)
According to oral tradition, the Inn first appeared on the corner of Pine and Main in downtown Stockbridge during the early 1770s. In 1773, Silas Pepoon had specifically constructed the building as a tavern, christening the new business as “The Red Lion Inn.” Pepoon’s quaint Inn prospered by occasionally entertaining various stagecoach passengers as they made the trek between Boston and Albany. Locals also flocked to The Red Lion Inn, who were charmed by its bucolic charm and services. Over time, this local popularity even helped the Inn evolve into one of the region’s main communal meeting places.
Bought by Jack and Jane Fitzpatrick in 1968, they invested themselves dearly into the daily operations of the former Stockbridge House (renamed as “The Red Lion Inn” in honor of its fantastic history), ensuring that it endured for years to come. They continued to thoroughly renovate the Inn, too, outfitting its interiors with even more colonial décor. The Fitzpatrick family remains the stewards of this outstanding historic Inn, as Nancy Fitzpatrick and her daughter, Sarah Eustis, continue to maintain Jack and Jane’s deep reverence for The Red Lion Inn.
2023 is the 250th anniversary of The Red Lion Inn, making the hotel older than the United States itself!
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Historic Hotels of America®
Celebrates Preservation Month
Some hotels started as accommodations and were purpose built as such, but others have lived many lives as factories, office buildings, and even private homes. Historic Hotels of America celebrates all their unique stories.
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(1926) San Francisco, California
The Intercontinental Mark Hopkins Hotel is located on the former 40-room mansion owned by railroad magnate Mark Hopkins. He built his grand estate on the instance of his wife, but died before its completion. The land where the hotel stands was bought in 1925 by mining engineer and hotel investor George D. Smith. Smith developed a magnificent 19-story structure that displayed some of the finest architecture throughout San Francisco such as massive panels and murals. The Intercontinental Mark Hopkins Hotel operated for the better part of four decades and George D. Smith decided to sell in 1961. It saw many renovation projects throughout the 1980s and 1990s that sought to preserve all the ornate architectural details while keeping amenities modern. The hotel still remains one of San Francisco’s most prestigious hotels.
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(1817) Savannah, Georgia
River Street Inn dates much further back before its grand opening in 1989 and its extensive history is what led to the Inn to be classified as a beautifully preserved hotel. Through the 19th century, Savannah was an established seaport with local merchants exporting raw cotton from Savannah. With the increased activity in the cotton exportation, this prompted a slew of new warehouses along the Savannah coastline. With the warehouses intricate designs and series of alleys and bridges, it gave access to all traders and soon it became known as the “Factors Walk," yet as the industry lost its economic momentum, the warehouses had shut down. Salvation for the area arrived when local entrepreneurs began redevelopment projects along River Street and the creation of seven million dollar waterfront plaza. Several entrepreneurs decided to renovate one of the historic warehouses into a boutique hotel in 1986 and since then, the River Street Inn has continued to rank among the best places to stay in all historic Savannah.
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(1925) Loraine, Ohio
The Ariel Broadway Hotel has been a cherished local landmark for nearly a century and the structure stands today as a prestigious historic hotel. Located in Lorain, Ohio, it was originally built to be a beautiful commercial complex at the height of the Roaring Twenties. The Argyle Company of Cleveland was interested in helping Lorain recover after a devastating 1924 tornado and they specifically envisioned developing an innovative facility that could house many local business. Constructing a Neoclassical structure that housed a barber, offices, and even the IRS, it saw popularity until new strip malls started to open in the 1960s. It was left vacant once again and Ariel Ventures eventually obtained the building and started an ambitious restoration in the 2010s. The Ariel Broadway Hotel has since become one of the most impressive destinations to visit along the coastline of Lake Erie.
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Apple pie à la mode is a long-standing tradition and a favorite dessert for the generations of guests and family who have dined at The Red Lion Inn, which was inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 1989. The Inn’s current owner, Nancy Fitzpatrick, can recall from family history that the recipe was passed down from her grandmother, Mary Pratt. “When we first opened, Nana May (as we called her), went out to the kitchen and showed the chef how she made her pie. She was a wonderful cook. There was always dessert at her house. It was the pie my mother made when I was growing up.” Nancy’s mother and father, Jane and John Fitzpatrick, opened the Inn in 1969 and the recipe has not changed since. The Red Lion Inn’s apple pie with vanilla ice cream is enjoyed by guests year-round in the main dining room and at the Widow Bingham’s Tavern.
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Historic Hotels Worldwide®:
Preserving World History
From barrel factory to railroad station, these two Historic Hotels had utilitarian roots but have blossomed into comfortable destinations for rest and adventure. Thanks to generations of passionate hoteliers, these stunning locations are preserved for years to come.
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(1670) Bekkjarvik, Norway
This historic hotel began as a local guesthouse on an island off the western coast of Norway in the late 17th century. It was established in response to a royal decree by the Danish King, Christian IV, that there should be a guesthouse built in every location within a full day’s journey to sea. In Bekkjarvik, the commerce included salted herring, exported lobster, and craft barrel-making. Today, guests can relax in the guestrooms in the manor or the barrel factory to retain the style of the past while providing family-sized rooms and suites. With the hotels communal past with being a guesthouse and public place for fisherman and families to gather, lounge, and break bread, it has been preserved with both beauty and reputation.
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(1852) Scotland, United Kingdom
The Old Course Hotel & Spa is among the best destinations to visit in Scotland and is just steps away from the renowned Old Course, one of the most globally famous greens. The land which currently houses the hotel sits on once was a train station for the St. Andrews Railway, opening in 1852. With decline in rail travel during the 20th century, large sections of the rail closed permanently, including St. Andrews. British Railways saw the economic potential of the area as a tourist site for golf lovers and the organization built a boutique hotel on the former grounds of the St. Andrews Station. Since then the hotel has gone through many overhauls and ownership until 2004 when hospitality company Destination Kohler quickly set about reviving the grand structure’s historic character and renovated facilities.
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Discover and Explore is a service mark of Historic Hotels of America. © Copyright 2023 Historic Hotels of America® and Historic Hotels Worldwide®. All rights reserved.
Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide
1420 New York Avenue, Washington, DC 20005
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