[Nfbwv-talk] NFBWV Convention in Wheeling and McLure House

[charlene]

Please be advised as per Bob Hicks, some of the driving directions in this message are not accurate.

For those planning on attending the 2010 state convention of the National Federation
of the Blind of West Virginia, I got on the internet and gathered the following information
that I thought you might find interesting and/or useful:
McLure Hotel Summary
1200 Market Street
Wheeling, WV 26003
McLure House Hotel is located on US 40 in downtown Wheeling, WV, one-fourth mile
south of I-70. Free wireless Internet access. Lounge and guest laundry. 170 rooms
on 8 floors. Opened 1857 and renovated 1998.
Hotel Description
The McLure House Hotel is located in Wheeling, W.Va., along the Ohio River in West
Virginia's northern Panhandle, between Ohio and Pennsylvania. The property is one
block from the Victoria Vaudeville Theater. The Children's Museum and West Virginia
Northern Community College are within one-half mile of the hotel. The Wheeling Island
Racetrack is two miles away.
The McLure House Hotel is located in historic downtown Wheeling and was originally
built in 1852. The front desk is open 24 hours a day. The hotel features on-site
event facilities. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available in public areas
of the hotel. Laundry facilities are available on site.
The McLure House Hotel houses 170 guestrooms are equipped with dial-up Internet access
and coffeemakers.
Area Attractions
Wheeling Symphony Mull Center - 1.0 mile
Wheeling Island Racetrack - 2.0 miles
Victoria Vaudeville Theater - 1 block
West Virginia Northern Community College - 0.3 miles
Children's Museum - 0.1 miles
West Virginia Independence Hall - 0.1 miles
Oglebay's Good Children's Zoo - 4.6 miles
Victorian Wheeling Landmarks - 0.4 miles
Women's History Museum - 8.1 miles
Information
Pet fee charged at hotel/condo
Minimum check-in age 21
Caters to families
Check-in time is 3 PM
Check-out time is Noon
170 rooms on 8 floors.
Meeting rooms
Fitness facility
Pets allowed
Policies and Disclaimers
You must present a photo ID when checking in. Your credit card is charged at the
time you book. Bed type and smoking preferences are not guaranteed.  Your reservation
is prepaid and is guaranteed for late arrival.
The New Office Grill House
Breakfast Served Daily 7 am - 11 am
Lunch Monday - Saturday 11 am - 3 pm
Dinner Daily 3:30 pm - 10:30 pm in the lounge
McLure House Hotel offers complementary parking in our attached covered parking garage.
Free parking for all hotel guests.
McLure House
Hotel & Conference Center
Considered one of Wheeling's prominent landmarks, The McLure House Hotel has been
the lodging choice of US presidents, West Virginia governors, Civil War generals,
entertainers and other notable figures since 1852.
The McLure offers 170 spacious and well appointed guest rooms. Wheeling's largest
professional conference facility and banquet space highlighted by our newly renovated
Grand Ballroom and executive board room.
The McLure Hotel's professional staff is available 24 hours a day to ensure your
stay is enjoyable and successful whether your visit is for business or pleasure.
Your complete satisfaction is not only our goal, but our PROMISE.
We are proud of our unique place in Wheeling's history and invite you to discover
the exciting and fascinating blend of past and present that is The McLure House Hotel.
Walls Surrounding History
Constructed in 1851 and opened in 1852, the McLure House Hotel has been a mainstay
of the city of Wheeling and has been the scene of several events that shaped the
country or at least the city itself.
Over the years, there have been many changes within the walls but nothing can change
the historical events that occurred at Wheeling's oldest functioning hotel.  Originally,
built in a doughnut shape, the Hotel contained a watering trough and hitching posts
for horses and carriages.  The registration desks and offices were located on the
second floor due to the muddy mess that was made in the open lobby.  However, this
was not the fascinating feature of the McLure House.  The 12th Street entrance was
marked 'Ladies' and was built with a wider door that made room for the cumbersome
yet fashionable wide hoop skirts that were worn by the women of the time.
At one point, the McLure was the largest hotel in the state with 315 rooms, 65 bathrooms,
and 50 showers.  The hotel was usually busy Monday through Thursday due to the business
travelers arriving from Pittsburgh and returning home at the end of the week.
E.M. Statler, founder of the Hilton and Sheraton Hotel dynasties, was once an employee
of the McLure.  He started out as a bell-boy and eventually worked his way up to
manager.  After gaining the attention of a few very prominent businessmen in Wheeling,
Statler finally raised the money to begin his endeavor.  Since that time, the McLure
has hosted several dignitaries and entertainers that remain as the most famous or
infamous of their times.  Dignitaries who have stayed at the McLure include General
Ulysses S. Grant, Benjamin Harrison, William Howard Taft, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow
Wilson, William McKinley, James A. Garfield, Chester A. Arthur, Harry S. Truman,
Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy and many of their first ladies.  In fact, if it
had not been for the raid on Harper's Ferry, Abraham Lincoln might have made his
inaugural speech at the McLure.
During the civil war, the McLure was host to several generals and served as headquarters
of Union General William Rosecrans.  In fact, it has been said that West Virginia's
founding fathers ventured to the McLure for refreshment when they needed a break
from dealing with the issues of West Virginia statehood.
As the years passed, many more of America's mover and shakers came and went from
inside the walls of the McLure.  Senator Joseph McCarthy delivered his famous McCarthyism
speech, in which he claimed to have a list of communist sympathizers in the U.S.
state department.  It was also at the McLure where Dwight D. Eisenhower met with
Richard Nixon and reinstated him as his running mate for the 1952 campaign.  The
long list could go on for days and one would recognize names such as John D. Rockefeller
Sr., William A. Wrigley, and even Marilyn Monroe.
The McLure House has had its share of historic events; however, it has also had its
share of renovations.  Starting with the first addition of 90 rooms in 1910, the
structure has been ever changing.  In 1978, a $10 million renovation plan had been
launched and finally gave the McLure the exterior look it has today.  Phase I, completed
in 1981, was a six level 220 car garage allowing guests to exit and enter sleeping
rooms directly from the garage.  Work transforming the 133-year-old hostelry into
one of the area's most modern hotels and meeting centers was completed in early 1985.
Finally, in 1996, Lane Hospitality was contracted by Wesbanco, Inc. to manage the
McLure property.  Since the takeover, Lane and Wesbanco have completed several renovations
including the new executive boardroom that can accommodate groups up to 15 comfortably.
Amenities featured in the room consist of a speaker phone, audio visual equipment,
television and VCR, dry erase board, and coffee service.  The hotel's conference
space has a capacity to seat up to 700 using the entire ballroom, it can also be
broken down into two to five separate rooms, allowing for meeting space as well as
breakout rooms.  2007 brought on new renovations in the hotel including the refurbishing
of all guest rooms with new beds, furniture, décor, iron and ironing board, hair
dryers, individual coffee pots, cable television including Showtime and ESPN and
a keyed entrance to ensure security and privacy.  The latest addition is the fabulous
WIFI Internet throughout the hotel.  The Office Lounge & Grillhouse Restaurant, along
with Vito's Deli are open to serve our guests.
As one can see, the past history, present status, and future possibilities have combined
to make the McLure House Hotel the premiere hotel in the city of Wheeling and an
historic landmark that has and will withstand the test of time.
The Tupsey Waltz was played during the railroad supper.
The waltz was composed for and dedicated to Dr. John D.M. Carr, who based on notations
in a Wheeling City Directory from that era, was a resident of the McLure at the time
of the banquet, said Wheeling historian Beverly Fluty.
During its early years, the McLure House was the site of strategy planning by West
Virginia and Pennsylvania officials who were fighting a legal battle over the Wheeling
Suspension Bridge's existence, and it was a favorite place of both Union and Confederate
soldiers during the Civil War, the archives articles said.
It is said that the Mountain State's founding fathers, among them Francis H. Pierpoint
and Arthur L. Boreman ventured to the McLure for refreshment when they needed a break
from dealing with the important issues of West Virginia's independence.
The McLure was well known for its menu which included such items as venison, calves'
feet, St. Louis hams, oysters prepared to order, and ample number of wines, champagne
and cognacs and a wide selection of  fruits and nuts.
Wheeling Hall of Famer & hotel magnate Ellsworth M. Statler- who built a famed hotel
empire, which, when sold to Conrad Hilton in 1954, represented the largest transaction
in hotel industry history- was responsible for instituting several innovations, including
hot and cold running water, adopted by major hotel owners, received his start as
a bell hop at the McLure.
The list of dignitaries who have stayed at the McLure is long and includes U.S. presidents
U.S. Grant, Benjamin, Harrison, William Howard Taft, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow
Wilson, William McKinley, James Garfield, Chester A. Arthur, Harry S. Truman, Dwight
D. Eisenhower, and John F. Kennedy and many of their first ladies; Civil War generals
William T. Sherman and John C. Fremont; Old West figures Frank James, Cole Younger
and Buffalo Bill Cody; entertainers Jenny Lind, Sarah Bernhardt and Marilyn Monroe;
businessman John D. Rockefeller Sr., United Mine Workers founder John L. Lewis and
William Wrigley before he became the chewing gum mogul.
Wheeling, a city of history and pleasure
The Northern Panhandle, is a cross roads of history and modern pleasures in the northern
most tip of West Virginia. In Wheeling, Independence Hall, Centre Market and the
rows of Victorian homes make history come alive. At Wheeling Downs play the slots
and place your bet on the best greyhound and thoroughbreds from across the United
States. Tap your toes, clap your hands to the beat of the best in the field of country
music at Jamboree USA located in the Capitol Music Hall. Come catch that Wheeling
Feeling, for you belong in Wheeling!
History of Wheeling
Echart House, Victorian Home Tour- The crown jewel of Victorian opulence. Magnificently
restored. Tours Saturdays in April, November and December. Open all year by appointment.
Grave Creek Mound- was constructed in two stages between 250-150 BC. The Woodland
period of man, known by the general term "MoundBuilder" began about 1000 BC and lasted
until about 700 AD. The Culture made significant settlements in what is now West
Virginia.
The Museums of Oglebay Institute- unique collections of historic Wheeling artifacts,
the museums preserve the area's heritage and is a true symbol of community pride.
Old Main at Bethany- A National landmark located at Bethany College is the earliest
example of collegiate Gothic in America. Construction began in 1858 using local timber,
stone, slate and bricks kilned on the site. Five U.S. Presidents have spoken in the
Commencement Hall.
West Virginia Independence Hall- journey bay to 1862 when Wheeling was in Virginia,
a state ripped apart by the American Civil War. West Virginia was born in this building,
now a National Historic Landmark. This was the only territorial change resulting
from this great conflict. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed on Sundays in
January and February and all state holidays.
West Virginia Penitentiary- experience the history behind the towering walls of the
Civil War era facility that served as a maximum security prison for 120 years. Glimpse
"life on the inside". Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Open Tuesday
through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April to November. December to March by appointment.
Let's meet in Wheeling
By Airplane:  The Pittsburgh International Airport is 60 miles from downtown Wheeling.
Directions:
Follow Business Rt. 60 toward Pittsburgh to I-79 South.
Follow I-79 South toward Washington, PA. To I-70 West.
Follow I-70 West toward Wheeling.
After Wheeling Tunnel, take Exit 1 Main Street (Bare Right).
Make a left on to Main Street South to 14th Street.
Left on 14th Street, follow one block to Market Street.
Left on Market Street to 12th Street.
Hotel located on the right.
Via Bus:  Nationwide service is provided by Greyhound Bus Lines 1-800-231-2222.
Driving Directions traveling I-70 from the East:
Stay in the right lane through the Wheeling Tunnel on I-70.
Take first Main Street, Exit 1.
Left on Main Street South to 14th Street.
Left on 14th Street one block to Market Street.
Left on Market Street to 12th Street.
Hotel located on the right.
Directions traveling I-70 from the West:
Take I-70 Exit 1A to Main Street.
Turn right on Main Street South and follow to 14
th Street.
Left on 14th Street one block to Market Street.
Left on Market Street to 12th Street.
Hotel located on the right
Driving Distances
Baltimore        300 miles
Boston             651 miles
Buffalo             290 miles
Charleston      179 miles
Charlotte         450 miles
Chicago           460 miles
Cincinnati        240 miles
Cleveland        177 miles
Columbus       123 miles
Detroit              330 miles
Indianapolis    315 miles
Lexington         320 miles
Louisville         340 miles
Montreal           710 miles
Nashville          525 miles
New York         425 miles
Norfolk              490 miles
Philadelphia    350 miles
Roanoke          370 miles
Richmond        405 miles
Rochester        330 miles
Syracuse          380 miles
Toledo               270 miles
Washington      300 miles


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