The Willard Brother Who Built the Ebbitt House
Three Willard brothers ran the Willard Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue. The fourth, Caleb, ran a hotel just as big a block away. He just had the misfortune of calling it the Ebbitt House.
Willard Hotel
The Willard Hotel has stood on Pennsylvania Avenue just steps from the White House since the 1850s, making it one of the great gathering places in American political history. Generals, presidents, and lobbyists have all passed through its lobby. These posts explore the Willard’s long history, from its role in the Civil War to its midcentury decline and eventual restoration.
First Japanese Embassy in America: Ending Centuries of Isolationism
Dive into the captivating tale of Japan’s 1860 leap from centuries of isolation to forging ties with the U.S. Uncover their daring voyage, America’s samurai intrigue, and the birth of a legendary alliance.
Willard Hotel: 18 Empty Years and a $73 Million Rescue
The Willard Hotel closed without warning in 1968 and sat empty for 18 years. How a $73 million renovation saved one of Washington’s most historic buildings.
Willard Hotel Photos From 1904
What did the Willard Hotel look like just after it was built in the early 1900s. This series of photos shows the ornate interior as it was back then.
Take a Trip Down Memory Lane: Peacock Alley in the Willard Hotel
Take a break from the negative news and take a trip down memory lane with this cool photo of Peacock Alley in the Willard Hotel. Date unknown, but estimated to be from the 1920s.
Uncovering a Historical Gem: the Willard Hotel around the Year 1904
Take a look at this amazing photo of the Willard Hotel from the year 1904. See what the building looked like in that era and click to learn more
Take a Look Back in Time: A 1927 Photo of 14th St, Washington DC
Take a step back in time and explore this amazing 1927 photo of 14th Street in Washington, DC. Get a glimpse of the Commerce Department and the Willard Hotel in the distance
Lost Hotels of Pennsylvania Avenue, 1810 to 1942
The National Hotel, Brown’s Indian Queen, and the Southern Hotel once anchored Pennsylvania Avenue. By 1942 all three were gone. Here’s their story.
The Willard Hotel in 1976: Looking Northwest Across 14th Street
This 1976 photograph shows the Willard Hotel looking northwest across 14th Street, taken during the years the hotel sat vacant before its 73 million dollar renovation brought it back in 1986.