Book Launch: Palaces of the Public

Hosted by DC History Center with the DC Preservation League, this book launch offers friends, family, and fans of John DeFerrari a special opportunity to see him in conversation with Architectural Historian Kim Prothro Williams. 

Palaces of the Public is a lively, in-depth, highly illustrated, history and architectural tour of the city’s hotels, past and present. John DeFerrari explores the fascinating evolution of hostelries, from the taverns of the 18th century, to the boarding houses of the pre–Civil War era, to the creation of the modern hotel. Special chapters address the history of hotels for women, tourist hotels, and hotels run by and for African Americans in the days of segregation. Later chapters highlight the rise of motels in the mid–twentieth century, boutique hotels in recent years, and the impact of historic preservation on saving old hotel buildings.

Readers interested in Washington’s history, architecture, and historic preservation will be drawn to this book, with its unique perspective on how the city’s culture and society developed over time.

Doors open at 6 p.m. with the seated program to start shortly after. Following the conversation, DeFerrari will sign books in Memorial Hall. During registration, please indicate if you plan to buy a book to help estimate how many books to stock.