(no subject)
I was once asked by a few visiting students what was, in my opinion, the most important American landmark to visit.
The Washington Monument? The Statue of Liberty? The St. Louis Arch? The Bay Bridge?
Not at all, I said. The Greenbrier.
I don't say this only because it is in my home state, or because I had the privilege of dancing in the Nutcracker there as a child. But because it is--to me--the quintessential landmark of American history, culture, architecture and design.
The history of the resort is long and varied, but it has always been the place to relax for some of the most famous Americans--Hollywood greats like Mary Pickford and Bing Crosby, industrial giants Du Pont and Vanderbilt, important statesmen Henry Clay and Martin Van Buren on down to the Kennedys. It has been a military hospital--twice--a nuclear bunker and a mineral springs.
The resort itself is a distinctly American design, mixing traditional Federal architecture, Antebellum grandeur, historical European opulence and post-war Draper influence. It is a sweeping, magnificent, if not simply magical place.
I have terribly fond memories of it as a child. Winding our way through the labyrinthine corridors, the classic black and white tile floors, the hours spent by the pool, ice skating for the first time, older girls bowling in ball gowns after dinner. Winter evenings in one of the upstairs rooms where free hot chocolate and coffee was offered every night and everyone bundled themselves into the large room for an evening spent reading, chatting and playing chess--they had daily teas as well with much the same feel. Going for day trips to shop and eat, and always spending all of my money on the exquisite (but expensive!) chocolates that are one of the few American chocolates to rival my favored European varieties. Seeing Titanic for the dozenth time in the cozy little theatre. People were unendingly friendly and when we danced there we were like miniature celebrities, strangers always stopping us in the hallways to ask us questions and congratulate us. As I'm sure Sarah can corroborate, it is one of the most fantastic experiences for a child.
Of course, do not take my word on this--
All of this is because I saw an article about the famous fabric Dorothy Draper so closely associated with The Greenbrier:
While I would never, ever want to live in such a colorful place (I can't sleep in brightly decorated rooms), it's still one of the most amazing things to see.