Mr. Obama Goes to Washington; Booked at Haunted Hotel
By Tim State in News on Jan 4, 2009 7:30PM
Today is the day that President-elect Barack Obama is scheduled to move from the South Side to Washington DC. Michelle and the girls scooted out of town yesterday, a day earlier that scheduled, apparently to give them more time to adjust before the girls start school tomorrow morning. The move was scheduled to accommodate the girls’ school schedule, which starts up tomorrow after the holiday recess.
The Obamas had requested use of the presidential guest house, the Blair House, but it was already booked. Instead, they’re booked at the historic and posh Hay-Adams Hotel, which is right across the street from Lafayette Park, and only 200 feet from the White House gates. If you wanted to book a room, the cheapest room available is a $565 “Superior” room with either a queen bed or two double beds. A one-bedroom luxury suite is running for $3,200 a night. While a small crowd formed yesterday when a motorcade arrived in the back alley, there is apparently no sign of pomp and circumstance to welcome the Obamas to Washington. In fact, the Washington Post is reporting that the hotel wouldn’t even confirm that the Obamas are even booked, stating, “a lot of different and interesting people stay here.”
That includes the ghost of Marian Hopper Adams, who was married to presidential descendant, journalist, and Harvard Professor Henry Adams. Apparently Henry and Marian had a charmed life, but Marian battled depression, and she eventually succumbed, killing herself in December 1885.
Tales of the ghost of Marian Adams say that she visits the Hay-Adams Hotel, usually in early December around the time of the anniversary of her death.
"Staff housekeepers have reported someone unseen calling their names and the sensation of invisible arms around them. Locked doors fling themselves open and the scent of Mimosa mysteriously fills the air on certain floors at night. On repeated occasions, a tearful woman has been heard asking, "What do you want?" [Washington Post, Trib]