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Hail to the Chief

Historic Hotels of America(R) Shares Stories of Presidential Visits

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 PRNewswire-USNewswire — As presidential hopefuls criss-cross the country in search for votes, they leave behind stories that become part of local lore. For more than two centuries, members of Historic Hotels of America have been witness to democracy in action. As the 2008 election gears up, Historic Hotels of America shares some memorable presidential anecdotes.

For the complete press release, visit http://www.historichotels.org/press_release/1/74

For 20 additional presidential tales from our archives, visit: http://www.historichotels.org/presidential_tales

First in the Nation

Every four years, the tiny town of Dixville Notch, N.H., takes center stage. The town's entire contingent of registered voters (17 for 2008) gathers at midnight in the Ballot Room of The Balsams Grand Hotel to cast the first ballots in the presidential primary and general election. Since 1960, the residents of Dixville Notch have been distinguished as the "first in the nation." The top vote getters for the 2008 primary were John McCain with four votes on the Republican side and Barack Obama winning with seven votes for the Democrats.

Too Much Taft?

President William Howard Taft stopped at the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs, Colo., in September 1909 while on his way to officiate the opening of the Gunnison-Uncompahgre Tunnel. The president had a breakfast and made an informal speech to seven hundred people who enjoyed "the famous Taft smile." After breakfast, Taft was offered exclusive use of the hotel's pool, but declined the opportunity to take a dip. "But that's probably just as well," he added regretfully. "I've found it's much better for a fat man like myself not to bathe in public."

Ford's Frolic

Long before he was the 38th president of the United States, Gerald Ford visited the Green Mountain Inn in Stowe, Vt., on a modeling assignment for Look magazine in 1940. The five-page spread was entitled "A New York Girl and her Yale Boyfriend Spend a Hilarious Holiday on Skis." The article is framed and displayed on the walls of the inn near the entrance to its restaurant.

Historic Hotels of America is a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and licensed by the Preferred Hotel Group. It has identified more than 200 hotels that have faithfully maintained their historic integrity, architecture and ambiance. Rooms can be reserved by calling 800-678-8946 or at http://www.historichotels.org.

SOURCE Historic Hotels of America

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