Holiday Grandeur - The Jefferson Hotel

Lisa’s Point of View had the amazing opportunity to experience the stunning holiday display at The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia. It was my first time to see the holiday decorations in person. It is simply breathtaking! The Jefferson Hotels’ spectacular grandeur and incredible architecture combined with the vast open spaces are the perfect backdrop for a festive holiday display.

The Jefferson Hotel hosted their 33rd Annual tree lighting on December 2nd . The unveiling of the life size gingerbread house display also occurred during the festivities. The ceremony has become an annual family tradition for locals and visitors to the Richmond region.

The beautiful holiday decorations will be on display through January 5, 2020. Throughout the weeks of the holiday season there are “Music at Midday” performances at noon held in the Rotunda or in the Palm Court with various local artists performing. 

Everywhere I walked throughout the common areas, there were gorgeous tastefully appointed holiday arrangements, lights, displays and poinsettias throughout the lobby and other public areas. It was exciting to see the young children’s eyes light up seeing all the toy soldiers and other festive displays. So many families were taking time to have their pictures taken in front of the enormous Christmas tree or on the grand staircase. 

Strolling through the many areas of the public spaces is a walking history tour from the portraits along the walls to the statue in the main foyer entrance way.

I encourage you to visit their gift shop to pick up new holiday ornaments or holiday decorations for your tree or home.

Be sure to check out dining options and special hours throughout the holiday weeks at TJ’s Lounge or at Lamaire with reservations highly recommended.

It is wonderful to see this hotel is #GivingBack to the community through the holiday to #MakeADifference. Sharing from their website: “Five percent of all holiday menu purchases in Lemaire and TJ's for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be donated to Feed More's Central Virginia Food Bank. This incredible local charity will also be the beneficiary of the Lemaire Monday Night Out for Charity program. Each Monday evening in December, Lemaire will donate 5% of all food purchases to fight hunger in the Richmond Region.”

Historical facts on the hotel from their website: “Opened in 1895, the hotel symbolized a dream for the man who was, simultaneously, one of Richmond’s most modest and most colorful citizens and also Richmond’s wealthiest citizen. Lewis Ginter was born in New York of Dutch immigrant parents. He came to Richmond in 1842 at the age of eighteen and made a fortune in the import business before losing it to the Civil War. He served in the Confederate Army, and then returned to New York, where he made a second fortune in the banking industry and lost it to a recession. At age fifty, Ginter returned to Richmond and entered the tobacco business. He made millions marketing the pre-rolled cigarette and became a civic leader and philanthropist. He then sold his interest in the tobacco company and entered his fourth career, land development.  A classic Jeffersonian, cultured, gifted and widely traveled (he crossed the Atlantic thirty times, and went around the world several times), Ginter was interested in the arts and architecture. He also had a strong, abiding love for his adopted city.  To create this dream, he commissioned Carrere and Hastings, a renowned architectural firm from New York. The firm designed the Fifth Avenue Public Library and Henry Frick House (later the Frick Museum) in New York, as well as portions of the Commonwealth Club in Richmond. Ginter’s wishes were followed and the hotel was built incorporating Renaissance and the other forms of architecture that he admired, creating a composite, eclectic style popular at the turn of the century.  When The Jefferson was elected in 1969 to the National Register of Historical Places, it was considered to be among the finest examples of Beaux Arts style in existence. “ Read more on the history of the hotel: https://www.jeffersonhotel.com/press-room/history

There are many wonderful stories and tidbits shared on their website including among them: “While staying in the Jefferson Hotel’s presidential suite, “The King of Rock & Roll”, Elvis Presley, ordered ice cream and cantaloupe for breakfast.”  Check out other enlightening stories: https://www.jeffersonhotel.com/press-room/story-ideas

The Jefferson Hotel is conveniently located in Downtown Richmond set among the incredible architecture of the buildings of homes and businesses in the area.  Check the hotel website for all the holiday festivities: https://www.jeffersonhotel.com/holidays

I hope you enjoy a few of the holiday lighting and décor photos of The Jefferson Hotel from #LisasPointofView.