B&Bs Fit For A President

If every sign saying, “George Washington Slept Here” were truthful, our foremost founding father certainly wouldn’t have had time to fight off the British between naps. But something about the presidency inspires myths and a desire for a sort of intimacy with power. Once a president stays in a hotel or bed and breakfast, that place has been marked forever. The passage of power is a great thing to write up on a brochure, especially around Presidents’ Day.

It is, unfortunately, easy to get drawn in by false claims. The insinuation that “Eisenhower stayed here,” can rapidly change into the disappointing fact that it was Arthur Eisenhouser, an insurance salesman from Dubuque. This is why real history nerds must work hard to seek out genuinely presidential accommodations.

In order to find the nine presidential bed and breakfasts below, we consulted with the experts at BedandBreakfast.com, who know about this sort of thing. The results of that search were surprisingly varied and extremely attractive. Turns out one can not only sleep like a president on Presidents’ Day, but eat like one as well.

Photos courtesy of BedandBreakfast.com

Loading Slideshow

• William Henry Harrison: Larimer Mansion

  “Listen carefully and you may hear over 200 years of history come alive,” say the innkeepers of the a href=”http://www.larimermansion.com/”Larimer Mansion/a in Irwin, Pennsylvania. Visit the Captain Quarters where President William Henry Harrison once stayed. Step on the floors walked on by Vice President Aaron Burr and countless other historical figures.

• Lehmann House: William Howard Taft

  A Romanesque Revival 1893 mansion, once home to Solicitor General Frederick W. Lehmann, a href=”http://lehmannhouse.com/”Lehmann House Bed and Breakfast /aonce hosted President Taft. Enjoy the secluded, quiet beauty and feel of a private St. Louis estate, while conveniently close to Busch Stadium, the Arch, the zoo and museums.

• Rosemont: John F. Kennedy

  An elegant BB property on a 60-acre park-like setting, Rosemont is the previous Berryville estate of the late Virginia Governor and U.S. Senator Harry F. Byrd, Sr. The historic manor house boasts twelve well-appointed suites and guestrooms with private baths and magnificent views. Guest follow in the footsteps of Presidents Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon.

• Hale Springs Inn: Andrew Jackson

  a href=”http://halespringsinn.com/”Hale Springs Inn/a was built in 1824 and is nestled in the heart of downtown historic Rogersville, Tennessee. The inn features 9 spacious appointed guests rooms and suites all with private baths. The inn has three presidential suites all named after presidents which have been previous guests to the inn: Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson, and James Polk.

• Brook Forest Inn: Theodore Roosevelt

  Nestled in the Rockies 33 miles west of Denver, the a href=”http://www.thebrookforestinn.com/”Brook Forest Inn/a is a grand historic bed-and-breakfast that President Theodore Roosevelt, creator of the national park system and lover of all things wild, once stayed. Other visitors: Liberace and the unsinkable Molly Brown.

• The Brewster Inn: Harry S Truman

  Both Presidents Truman and Taft stayed in this picturesque inn in Dexter, Maine, as did at least seven Senators at one point or another and Louis B. Mayer, the founder of MGM Films. The Inn is well-suited to those looking to do a bit of cross-country skiing.

• Abilene’s Victorian Inn: Dwight Eisenhower

  Polished to perfection, a href=”http://www.abilenesvictorianinn.com/”Abilene’s Victorian Inn/a sits on a quaint, tree-lined street within walking distance of downtown Abilene, Texas. At one time, the Inn was the home of President Eisenhower’s best friend, Swede Hazlett. During your stay, drop by Eisenhower’s childhood home and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, other museums, and historical landmarks.

• Weasku Inn: Herbert Hoover

  Get a glimpse of the early 20th century when you visit this inn on the banks of the Rogue River is Grant’s Pass, Oregon. Built in 1924, the rustic property hosted once President Herbert Hoover. It was also visited by luminaries such as Clark Gable, Walt Disney, Carol Lombard, and author Zane Grey. You can stay in regular lodge rooms, but for more privacy, stay in one of the stand-alone cabins.

• The Inn Of The Patriots: Presidential Chefs

  Chef Martin C.J. Mongiello served as an Executive Chef at Camp David for numerous presidents and dignitaries, and was also a Sous Chef at the White House and cooked official US State dinners. He now runs a href=”http://www.theinnofthepatriots.com/”The Inn of the Patriots/a, in addition to the inn’s on-site Presidential Culinary Museum Collections. Located in Grover, North Carolina, a restful town, the house and its broad porch couldn’t be more invited.

B&Bs Fit For A President