The Greenbrier

The Greenbrier. Located in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, The Greenbrier is a historic resort that has been visited by numerous U.S. Presidents, including Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Lyndon B. Johnson. The resort has also hosted many famous guests, such as Bob Hope, Sam Snead, and Jerry West. The Greenbrier has been owned by the State of West Virginia since 2009 and is operated by The Greenbrier Hotel Corporation, which is led by Jim Justice, a West Virginia businessman and Governor of West Virginia.

History

The Greenbrier has a rich history dating back to 1778, when it was first established as a spa and resort due to its natural mineral water springs. Over the years, the resort has undergone several renovations and expansions, including a major renovation in the 1940s led by Dorothy Draper, a renowned interior designer. The Greenbrier has been visited by many notable guests, including Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and John F. Kennedy, who all stayed in the resort's Presidential Suite. The resort has also been the site of many important events, including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) conference in 1958 and the G7 conference in 1970, which was attended by Richard Nixon and other world leaders.

Geography

The Greenbrier is situated in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia, near the Virginia border. The resort is surrounded by over 6,500 acres of woodland and wildlife areas, including the Monongahela National Forest and the Greenbrier River. The resort's location provides easy access to nearby attractions, such as the New River Gorge Bridge and the Seneca Rocks. The Greenbrier is also close to several major cities, including Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Facilities

The Greenbrier features a wide range of facilities, including over 710 guest rooms and suites, as well as several dining and entertainment options. The resort is home to several golf courses, including the Old White Course, which was designed by Charles Blair Macdonald and has hosted several major golf tournaments, including the Greenbrier Classic. The resort also features a spa, a fitness center, and several swimming pools, as well as a casino and a nightclub. The Greenbrier has also been recognized for its sustainability efforts, including its use of renewable energy and recycling programs, which have been supported by organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Park Service.

Activities

The Greenbrier offers a wide range of activities, including golfing, hiking, and fishing. The resort is also home to several outdoor adventure programs, including rock climbing and zip lining. Guests can also enjoy horseback riding and carriage rides through the resort's woodland trails. The Greenbrier has also partnered with several organizations, including the National Geographic Society and the Audubon Society, to offer nature programs and wildlife tours. The resort has also hosted several major events, including the Greenbrier Classic and the Taste of West Virginia food festival, which features cuisine from local restaurants and wineries.

Bunker

The Greenbrier is also home to a bunker that was built in the 1950s as a Cold War-era shelter for the United States Congress. The bunker, which is located beneath the resort's West Virginia Wing, was designed to be a self-sufficient facility that could support the Congress for an extended period of time in the event of a nuclear attack. The bunker features several meeting rooms, dormitories, and medical facilities, as well as a power plant and a water treatment plant. The bunker was declassified in 1992 and is now open to the public for tours, which are led by guides from the National Park Service and the Smithsonian Institution.

Notable_events

The Greenbrier has hosted several notable events over the years, including the 1970 G7 conference, which was attended by Richard Nixon and other world leaders. The resort has also hosted several golf tournaments, including the Greenbrier Classic, which has been won by golfers such as Stuart Appleby and Tiger Woods. The Greenbrier has also been the site of several weddings and conferences, including the wedding of New York Jets owner Woody Johnson and the annual meeting of the National Governors Association. The resort has also been recognized for its historic preservation efforts, including its restoration of the Dorothy Draper-designed interior and its preservation of the bunker, which have been supported by organizations such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the American Institute of Architects.