The Grand Renaissance Mayflower Hotel, just four blocks from the White House in Washington D.C., has the distinction of being the site of every Presidential inauguration since the hotel opened in 1925. It is said that the elegant hotel is haunted by a presidential ghost.
The Renaissance Mayflower Hotel in Washington D.C. hosted its first inaugural ball in 1925, in honor of President Calvin Coolidge,Calvin Coolidge’s sixteen year old son had died of blood poisoning just two weeks before the inauguration. The President was mourning and did not attend the inauguration ball honoring him.
Twelve years later, in 1937, Inauguration Day was changed to January 20. Since then, the hotel has experienced strange occurrences on January 20, in the Grand Ballroom. The lights dim and flicker at around 10 pm, which is the hour that the fanfare announced the guests of honor at President Coolidge’s Inaugural Ball. Experts have checked the electrical circuits, and can find nothing wrong.
Hotel staff have reported finding a plate of exquisite hors d’oeuvres, along with a glass of fine wine, left in the Grand Ballroom balcony. The staff thought this was strange, as the hotel had not served these refreshments at any function that day.
One elevator refuses to move from the eighth floor to the lobby level until 10:15 pm, which is about the time that President Coolidge would have gone from his holding room to the ball.
There is speculation that the spirit of President Coolidge, known as “Silent Cal,” attends the Inaugural ball that he missed on the yearly anniversary of the event.
History of the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel in Washington D.C.
The Mayflower hotel is a Washington D.C. landmark that was the dream of Washington developer Allen E. Walker. The hotel was built during the boom years following World War I and opened to public acclaim in 1925, and was immediate acclaimed the “Grande Dame of Washington, D.C.” The hotel boasts more gold than any other building in the country, other than the Library of Congress. The rich, regal detailing of the Mayflower quickly qualified it was a hotel worthy of presidential importance. Renaissance Mayflower Hotel enjoys a location, just four blocks from the White House.
The Renaissance Mayflower has been the location of every United States Presidential Inaugural Ball, since Calvin Coolidge. The hotel has provided lodging and meals to a long string of politicians, actors, royalty and celebrities. Harry Truman lived at the hotel for the first 90 days of his presidency. FDR used the hotel to write his inaugural address. The hotel has provided elegant lodging for celebrities, dignitaries and royalty from around the world, including Queen Elizabeth II, Barbara Streisand, John Wayne, Arnold Palmer, Mohamed Ali and many others.
The tough years of the Depression and World War Ii were times of change for the grand hotel. The Mayflower underwent several remodeling projects by new owners. Remodeling and modernization efforts included covering the hotel’s exquisite gold gilding, murals, skylights and carvings.
In the early 1990’s the grand, historic details were uncovered. Two large Edward Lanning murals and a 25 foot skylight that was blacked out during World War Ii were uncovered. It has taken many years, and investment of many dollars, but the Mayflower has been restored to its original splendor.
The Renaissance Mayflower has been returned to its original splendor. It is possible that “Silent Cal” is enjoying the anniversary of his Presidential inauguration.
