Old Post Office Tower and Museum

Can you imagine a post office transforming into a luxury hotel? The Old Post Office Tower and Museum in Washington D.C. has quite the story to tell. This grand Romanesque Revival structure, once the heart of the US Post Office Department, now stands as a testament to adaptation and resilience. The Old Post Office Tower and Museum began its journey in 1892. Its construction, finalized in 1899, marked it as the tallest building in D.C. at the time. Designed by Willoughby J. Edbrooke, the building showcased granite, steel, and iron, becoming the first steel-framed structure in the city. The Old Post Office Tower and Museum served its postal purpose until the early 1930s. The building faced demolition threats not once, but twice. The first threat emerged during the Great Depression in 1934, deemed too costly to carry out. The second threat loomed in 1970, even receiving Congressional approval. However, a champion emerged in Nancy Hanks, Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts. Her campaign saved the Old Post Office, earning it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and a much-needed renovation. The building was renamed in 1983 to the Nancy Hanks Center. The Old Post Office Tower and Museum has housed federal offices, storage, a small stage, eateries, and souvenir shops. It contains an observation deck open to the public via elevator, offering panoramic views of the city. In 2013, the Trump Organization secured a 60-year lease, transforming the building into a luxury hotel. Despite the change, the National Park Service continues to operate the clock tower, allowing visitors to explore this historic landmark. Within the tower reside the Bells of Congress, ten bells gifted by the Ditchley Foundation of Great Britain. Replicas of Westminster Abbey’s bells, they weren’t installed until 1983, adding another layer of historical significance to the Old Post Office Tower and Museum.