Existing comment:
1861: The Peace Convention, a last-ditch effort to avoid the Civil War, held at Willard Hall.
President-elect Lincoln and his family stay at The Willard to await his first inauguration.
Henry and Joseph E. Willard retire from active management of the hotel.
The Willard opens the first [soda???] fountain in the Capital City.
1868: General John A. Logan issues an order from the hotel designating the first Memorial Day for all those fallen in battle.
1873: Henry M. Stanley promotes his African adventures and his book "Have I Found Livingstone" in the Willard Bar.
1892: Joseph E. Willard gains sole ownership of the hotel.
1897: Joseph E. Willard dies, leaving the hotel to his son, Captain Joseph E. Willard. |