The Mount Washington Hotel, Leaders in Conferences and Special Events

Written by staff writer

Friday, 02 March 2007

The Mount Washington Hotel The Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, NH opened in 1902 after a two-year labor of love by Joseph Stickney, a native of Concord, NH who had made his fortune through the Pennsylvania Railway, and 250 craftsmen from around the world.     When the doors opened, 350 staff members greeted wealthy guests from Boston, New York and Philadelphia to the most luxurious hotel of the day.  They stepped into a self-contained world that included its own telephone system, power plant and United States Post Office.  Eventually up to 50 trains a day stopped at Bretton Woods’ 3 railroad stations, bringing luminaries such as Babe Ruth, Thomas Edison and Joan Crawford.     The Stickney family held ownership of The Mount Washington until 1943 despite economic hardships brought on by the Depression and World War II.  Unlike many White Mountain resorts that slowly sank after World War II, though, the Mount Washington Hotel inadvertently ushered in a new age to the industry.  Just before the opening of the 1944 season, the new owners were asked to make the resort available for the World Monetary Fund Conference organized by the newly-formed United Nations.  Not only did the Conference–where the international gold standard was adopted–generate income and publicity for the hotel, but it also acquired a complete refurbishing of the complex, mostly at government expense.     Recognizing the economic gains made by extending the summer social season in 1944, the Mount Washington Hotel rallied to find other means to extend the resort’s allure beyond June, July and August.  In fact, for 15 years, from 1955-1969, the hotel was primarily a conference center.  Later owners expanded the resorts’ holdings to include the Bretton Woods Ski Area and condominiums.     In 1991, the Mount Washington Hotel was sold to a group of local investors, MWH Preservation Limited Partnership, that, refurbished, refashioned, and re-collected most of the original hotel’s holdings.  The grand hotel was completely winterized and is available year-round, as are the Bretton Arms Country Inn, The Lodge at Bretton Woods and the Bretton Townhomes located onsite.  Conferences and special events continue to sustain the resort beyond the traditional travel season, allowing a whole new clientele to experience a grand taste of the past.     After 15 years of improvement, the partnership passed title to Celebration Associates and CNL Income Properties, Inc.  They claim a grand vision for the future of the Grand Dame, planning a new spa and convention center, and a pedestrian village at the base of the ski area with additional shops, restaurants and lodging. 800.314.1752, www.mtwashington.com Articles by this Author: Learning About Weather Relaxing with Bowser Pets Do the Shopping Meeting Needs Through NEADS Inn Decadence View all articles by this author

Last Updated ( Thursday, 15 March 2007 )

 

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