When it became clear that I would not be able to attend the 69th U.S. Presidential Inauguration in-person, I did the next best thing: watch it from the historic Willard hotel right down the street.
Why I Watched The Inauguration From The Willard Hotel
I’ve shared about my love of the Willard Hotel before, but as the hotel celebrates its bicenential anniversary, a quick review is in order.
- Author Nathaniel Hawthorne stated, “the Willard Hotel more justly could be called the center of Washington than either the Capitol or the White House or the State Department.”
- A 34-state Peace Congress met at the Willard in 1861 in an effort to avoid civil war.
- Julie Ward Howe wrote the lyrics to the Battle Hymn of the Republic while staying at the Willard in 1861.
- Due to assassination threats, Abraham Lincoln was “smuggled” into the Willard in February 1861 where he lived, protected by guards, until he moved into the White House on March 4, 1861.
- The hotel’s Round Robin Bar served as a watering hole for Union leaders during the Civil War.
- General (and later President) Ulysses S. Grant enjoyed cigars and brandy in the hotel lobby. There, men would come up to him try to sell him on something. Grant detested this, derisively referring to these people as “lobbyists”. Hence, a new word in the American political lexicon.
- This fact is debated and the term likely originated in the House of Commons in London.
- Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote his I Have A Dream speech from the Willard hotel in 1963, where he stayed before the historic March on Washington.
- Robert Kennedy ordered FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover to tap King’s room, where he was caught having an extramarital affair.
The historical links to the U.S. Civil War were particularly poignant. Can you imagine Abraham Lincoln being snuck into this hotel a month before he assumed office due to threats on his life? Or the fact that the Willard served as the de facto Union headquarters in the District of Columbia during the Civil War? Or the fact that the Battle Hymn of the Republic, one of America’s most sacred hymns, was written in the this hotel?
When insurrectionists breached the U.S. Capitol earlier this month, it brought back memories of the Civil War. And for me, it brought back memories of the Willard and its function during that critical period.
Although I tried many different avenues (both literal and figurative) to attend the inauguration in-person this week, when it became clear I was not one of the chosen, I knew the Willard would serve as a suitable back-up.
I had to pass through three checkpoints to enter the hotel along with a careful patdown and questioning. Inside, the hotel was swarming with Secret Service agents, as is usually the case whenever there is an historic event going on. After all, the hotel is only a couple blocks from the White House.
As I stepped inside the hotel and walked through Peacock Alley, I smiled. Piano music was softly playing and the scent of fresh cut flowers filled the air.
Sitting down in the main lobby, I looked up at the ceiling, where all 50 state seals are on display.
I was all alone. I did not see any other guests. A hotel associate stood behind the front desk while a Secret Service agent stood guard at the front entrance on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Pulling out my phone, I sat down in a plush chair and tuned into the inauguration ceremony. I’m not ordinarily a a Lady Gaga fan, but thought she did a wonderful job on the National Anthem. And Amanda Gorman? What a remarkable young woman.
I was so comfortable that I truly hated to leave, but did not want to overstay my welcome.
CONCLUSION
I cannot think of another hotel more steeped in American history. While I would have preferred to attend in-person, watching the 69th Presidential Inauguration from the lobby of the Willard Hotel was the next best thing.
The Battle Hymn of the Republic is America’s national anthem? Not so sure about that one.
As for the origin of the word “lobbyist”:
Etymology
In a report carried by the BBC, an OED lexicographer has shown that “lobbying” finds its roots in the gathering of Members of Parliament and peers in the hallways (“lobbies”) of the UK Houses of Parliament before and after parliamentary debates where members of the public can meet their representatives.
One story held that the term originated at the Willard Hotel in Washington, DC, where it was supposedly used by President Ulysses S. Grant to describe the political advocates who frequented the hotel’s lobby to access Grant—who was often there in the evenings to enjoy a cigar and brandy—and then tried to buy the president drinks in an attempt to influence his political decisions.[4] Although the term may have gained more widespread currency in Washington, D.C. by virtue of this practice during the Grant Administration, the OED cites numerous documented uses of the word well before Grant’s presidency, including use in Pennsylvania as early as 1808.
The term “lobbying” also appeared in print as early as 1820:
Other letters from Washington affirm, that members of the Senate, when the compromise question was to be taken in the House, were not only “lobbying about the Representatives’ Chamber” but also active in endeavoring to intimidate certain weak representatives by insulting threats to dissolve the Union.
— April 1, 1820
I like the Willard origin story much better, personally, but it its not universally accepted.
I clarified the National Anthem issue.
Don’t we think that “see me” posts are let’s say out of vogue for the time being? I think travelers are much more concerned about where can we go safely travel trends you’re seeing on the horizon and changes to various travel programs sadly there are many.
As disclaimer I grew up and attended college in DC as such have been to all the inaugurations from Carter forward sans Biden and the balls which frankly the best part of the events.
This isn’t a “see me” post as much as a personal diary entry, just like every trip report. You can interpret it in any way you wish, but attending these events like RBG lying in state or the inauguration are extremely important to me and an extension of my own convictions concerning civic duty. If 25K troops can huddle together with virtually non-existent distancing and all the well-connected and powerful Biden supporters still found a way to attend, I believe it is hypocritical to begrudge me for going.
It would only be hypocritical if it was those well-connected Biden supporters criticizing you, not when some blog reader who wasn’t there does it.
I myself have more of a problem with the entire cult of state that would lead one to fly across the country to watch imperial pageantry on his cell phone. But hey, you do you. My motto is live and let fly.
I still dont know why you thought you were somehow going to get into the inauguration when it was very clear that there would be no ability to do so.
Over the years, I’ve often found ways into events that I was not invited to.
Just like when the FA says all the overhead compartments are full, that is never true. Yes, full enough so you can’t fit an elephant inside but not full enough to fill a tote bag or backpack and usually not full enough to put a rollabag (rollerbag) inside.
The expensive law firm, Jones Day, has a good view as does the Canadian Embassy, designed by the late critically acclaimed gay Canadian architect, Arthur Erickson. However, those are not open to the public.
Remember the Salahis? They are the reality TV couple where the blond wife dressed in a sari and gate crashed into the White House state dinner where the guest of honor was the Prime Minister of India. Mrs. Salahi shook President Obama’s hand.
I’m actually much more likely to attend an event if I wasn’t invited.
In that case, remind me to always invite you.
Shade. Rude, but funny. I only say that as Joe can take it better than anyone.
Delusional. This isn’t the VIP area at some regional charity event. This is the inauguration of a US president during the middle of a pandemic and shortly after the Capitol was damn near sacked. Senior members of the Obama administration were told sorry.
But yeah. I’m sure you had a real chance.
You might be interested in reading my report from four years ago…
Was there a pandemic and an invasion of the capitol building four years ago?
I just wasn’t in the mood to push the envelope.
Man, these posts have me itchin’ to go to DC real soon.
Thanks, good choice! Used our IHG Ambassador We certificate a couple years ago for a Staycation 🙂
Got upgraded to the John Quincy Adams Suite with corner views of the Whitehouse and Washington Monument,
In 2004 or so, when I worked at USEPA, just a couple blocks away, I got a room block for a meeting at the Government rate, and reserved a room that I paid for which was my first stay 😉
Don’t let the naysayers and jealous types take away from your drive to be here!
I friended you on FB!
We adore the Willard. A late lunch out on the patio after a day of walking to sites and museums is our favorite activity during warm months. I remember two trips ago a server taking our son on a tour of the bar and dining room to point out the stools and tables where historic event took place.
You traveled all the way to DC to watch the inauguration on your iPhone?
The Willard is quite the historical property. No doubt. But, wow, it’s a bit like the Waldorf Astoria in NYC was in being all legend and little comfort. Rooms were tired last time I was in one there. And I will never forget an event a few years ago I was at during a summer heat wave. The air conditioning broke and the heat came on (no joke) with small pieces of asbestos type material blowing out of the heat vents. Was quite a night!
Twenty-five thousand troops housed in a parking garage? Imagine the outrage if Trump did this!
Trump terrorist be ashamed of what you have done.
I look forward to your reports on the Harris inauguration in 2025 and 2029 and AOC in 2033 and ‘37…