The Jefferson Hotel, Richmond, VA
The historic Jefferson Hotel is recognized as Richmond’s finest hotel.
Tenor Anthony Kearns performed at the Inaugural Gala on Jan. 15, 2010 in the hotel foyer below the Grand staircase.
No less than twelve Presidents. Harrison, McKinley, Wilson, Coolidge, Taft, both Roosevelts (Theodore and Franklin Delano), Truman and Reagan, both Bushes and Obama have stayed at the hotel. Also among the rich and/or famous guests were: Admiral Dewey, Sarah Bernhardt, Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Vanderbilts, Whitneys and Barrymores, Gertrude Stein, Sir Edmund Hillary, Charles Chaplin, Nelson Eddy, Robert Mitchum, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley who enjoyed a breakfast of bacon, eggs over easy, milk, no coffee, and home fries, capped off with a scoop of ice cream in cantaloupe.
Sergei Rachmaninoff played in The Grand Ballroom and one of the world's most famous dancers, Bill (Bojangles) Robinson, was "discovered" as he waited tables in the dining room.
In recent years, a wide variety of actors, musicians, politicians, professional athletes, foreign dignitaries and other luminaries have visited. Members of the media have also taken an interest in The Jefferson, broadcasting live from the lobbies. ABC Weatherman Spencer Christian stayed at The Jefferson and broadcast his portions of "Good Morning, America" on December 4, 1992 and again during the spring of 1994. CBS news commentator, Charles Kuralt, filmed a segment for his "Sunday Morning " show on November 29, 1987. The Jefferson and its statue of Thomas Jefferson was backdrop for another segment of “Sunday Morning” in December 1994. The subject was the Statute for Religious Freedom.
For many guests and visitors – the famous, near-famous and just plain folks – the majestically carpeted, 36-step, polished marble staircase has always been a stellar attraction. Since the advent of the movie classic, Gone With the Wind, something almost akin to a mystique has surrounded it. There are those who firmly believe this staircase was the model for the one featured in the Atlanta mansion sequences of that film. True or not, it's difficult to stand before it without experiencing instant recall of Scarlett O'Hara being carried up those stairs in Rhett Butler's arms, or tragically tumbling down them on her own.
In 1994, The Jefferson was honored by the AAA organization as a Five Diamond award winner. In an effort to continually improve the services and amenities available to its guests, The Jefferson underwent further renovation in 2000, including the addition of an indoor swimming pool and the redesigned Franklin Street entrance. The following year, 2001, The Jefferson was honored by Mobil with the coveted Five Star award, making the hotel one of only a handful in North America to receive both prestigious awards. Later that year the hotel was recognized by Forbes Magazine as the "Best Hotel in America.”
The Jefferson Hotel
101 W Franklin Street
Richmond, VA
Full shot of the Rotunda (RIGHT) ... the grand
staircase is thought to be the inspiration
for the famous staircase in
"Gone with the Wind" ... Anthony performed
under this glorious staircase!
The Palm Court at the Jefferson (BELOW)
