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Document
ca. 1960s: Paul & Dana Witt (www.abvigettysburg.com ) |
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The
Basement Terrace Room:
Adding to the Motor Lodge's appeal, a well equipped function room
facility was constructed behind the Gate Lodge in the basement
space below the large building in the rear. Cleverly designed
with an exterior facade treatment and bright daylight sky murals,
guests attending meetings in the Basement Terrace Room likely
quickly forgot that they were, well, in a basement! |
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| Brochure
ca. 1980s: Dan Donahue |
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| Photos
June1960: Paul & Dana Witt (www.abvigettysburg.com)
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The
Command Lounge: In keeping with
Howard Johnson's then ultra-modern image, Gettysburg's Command
Cocktail Lounge was outfitted with some of the most moderne
furnishings ever available--Eero
Saarinen
Tulip
furniture. A 1956 cover
story in Time reported that Saarinen was designing a collection
to "clear up the slum of legs in the U.S. home."
The
base of each piece was said to have been inspired by a drop
of high-viscosity liquid. Examples of the design were used in
scenes of the original Star
Trek
series.
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"...The
Command Lounge for those who want their favorite beverage while
relaxing in the cool comfort in summer or sitting by the fireplace
in winter..." |
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Ike
& More: In another brief anecdote about the
historic Gettysburg Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge, Paul Witt noted
that: "Former President Eisenhower was known to frequent
the cocktail lounge "the Command Room" (Although
he had no ownership interest in the Gettysburg property, Eisenhower
was involved in another franchised Howard Johnson's as a silent
partner).
Mr
Witt wrote: "Tom
Ottenstein,
builder of "The
Tower"
also frequented the bar. At one point when he was being held up
by Pa. Gov. Shapp and the NPS, Tom with tears in his eyes would
pound his fist on the bar and wail repeatedly "I want to
build my tower!". He got to build his tower but I'm not sure
it was worth all the pain."
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| Brochure
ca. 1960s: Dan Donahue |
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| Brochure
ca. 1980s: Dan Donahue |
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Above:
Revamped by the early 1990s, moderne had been exchanged for
fern-bar retro. A terrific photo opportunity, Paul Witt noted
that including himself, his father, brother, Marvelous Marv,
Leroy Smith, Jim Garrahy fudge king, Tom Ottenstein, Charlie
the property's maintenance and piano man, and others all posed
to highlight the lounge's attractive atmosphere.
Below:
Cocktails having fallen from favor, the former Command Lounge
had apparently become the property's continental breakfast area
by its Best Inn days.
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(Was
any of the Tulip furniture saved? Sought
by collectors of mid-century moderne, even reproductions can sell
for big bucks!) |
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| Postcard
circa 2000s: Kummerlowe Archive |
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