Jump to content

The Willard Room, at The Willard Hotel Downtown - Closed.


Recommended Posts

Don't know if this qualifies because it closed and later re-opened, but The Willard Room opened in 1850 with a famous murder in the room on May 8, 1856 by Congressman Philemon T. Herbert shooting his Irish waitor Thomas Keating. Keating had refused to serve Herbert breakfast after the designated breakfast hours. The pair had an argument that errupted into a physical fight, then into gunfire. Also, Abraham Lincoln was smuggled into the Willard Room in 1861 just before his Jan 21 inauguration. Lincoln was escorted by Alan Pinkerton of the famous Pinkerton Agency, an agency that created today's Secret Service. But, the Willard Hotel closed its doors in 1968 and did not re-open until 18 years later in 1986 (Sept 23). While the Willard Room dining room was out of commission for 18 years it still maintained its original luster, original name and past guests returned. So while it was not in continuous operation, it is still DC's oldest restaurant to date.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I recently read that the Willard, in addition to the Round Robin, has a new room that's dedicated to single malts? Anyone know anything?

You are correct! it has bout 170 different choices of single malts varying from $8 to $95 it is called "the Scoth bar". ask For mixologist Jim Hewes to assist you

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Also, Abraham Lincoln was smuggled into the Willard Room in 1861 just before his Jan 21 inauguration.
No US president was ever inaugurated on January 21. Lincoln's first inauguration was March 4, 1861. The 20th Amendment moved the date to January 20, which first had effect for FDR's second inauguration in 1937. And while the Willard Hotel is certainly historic, the Willard Room of 1856 or 1861 is not the same room as the Willard Room today, as the original part of the present hotel opened in 1901, the previous building having been demolished the year before.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

No US president was ever inaugurated on January 21. Lincoln's first inauguration was March 4, 1861. The 20th Amendment moved the date to January 20, which first had effect for FDR's second inauguration in 1937. And while the Willard Hotel is certainly historic, the Willard Room of 1856 or 1861 is not the same room as the Willard Room today, as the original part of the present hotel opened in 1901, the previous building having been demolished the year before.

LOL! Simply because something is made better and newer within it's same premise, does not disqualify its original existence.

The re-opening of the NEW WILLARD HOTEL, as it was called in 1901 did in fact contain the the Willard similar to the re-opened one in 1986

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Rumor going around that the Willard Room is being shuttered after this week - anyone know details?

This would be shocking news to me - I had a fantastic, world-class meal there a couple weeks ago and the dining room was reasonably full. The only reason I haven't written my review yet is because I haven't had time to do it justice - but I'm going to, and sooner rather than later. Please say this isn't so.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This would be shocking news to me - I had a fantastic, world-class meal there a couple weeks ago and the dining room was reasonably full. The only reason I haven't written my review yet is because I haven't had time to do it justice - but I'm going to, and sooner rather than later. Please say this isn't so.

I have just one source, so this could be complete BS, hence my casting around for anyone here who might know more. We have at least a couple of semi-regular members who work in the hotel's various eating/drinking establishments, though they might actually be the least likely to be able to deliver any news to us...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have just one source, so this could be complete BS, hence my casting around for anyone here who might know more. We have at least a couple of semi-regular members who work in the hotel's various eating/drinking establishments, though they might actually be the least likely to be able to deliver any news to us...

I just made reservations there for Mother's Day brunch and they didn't indicate any changes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i havent verified this myself, but recently we met up with friends for dinner who had told us we'd be eating at the Willard in celebration of their anniversary, since that was where they had their first date. When we met them at their house, they told us we would be eating elsewhere, because the Willard had closed... that they would be open now only for brunch and for special bookings.

--c

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...