Lieutenant Colonel George Washington was known to frequent many taverns that sprung up on School Street; two colonial-era buildings still stand—King's Chapel, a rough-hewn granite church completed in 1754, and Old Corner Bookstore building, constructed in 1718 as an apothecary.

With remodeled 551 rooms and 21 suites, The Omni Parker House enters its third century.

The concept of a "hotel" is a fairly recent one. In colonial Boston, travelers found rest and refreshment not in hotels or motels, but at local taverns and inns. Women were rarely on road, so colonial males usually frequented roadside taverns. They often even shared beds after quaffing pints of colonial beer. I guess after too many pints they began foment for freedom and rise of a radical cause—Independence.

The earlier hotels were known as "houses." As more travelers arrived in Boston by coach or ship, lodging and dining houses bore patriotic names like American House, The Shawmut, Adams, and The Revere House. The resident houses were genteel and sometimes luxurious, and some began to even accommodated ladies!

In midst of this period of expansion and change, a 20-year-old farm boy named Harvey D. Parker arrived in Boston Harbor on a packet from Maine. The year was 1825, and with less than one dollar in his satchel, he was in immediate need of employment. His first job was as a caretaker for a horse and cow, which gave him eight dollars a month. Then as a coachman for a wealthy Watertown woman, he was set up on his career path.

Whenever Parker trotted horse-drawn coach into Boston, his noon meal was at a dark, cellar café on Court Square, owned by John E. Hunt. By 1832, ambitious Parker bough Hunt's café for $432, and renamed it Parker's Restaurant. A combination of excellent food and service won over a regular clientele of businessmen, lawyers, and newspapermen. By 1854 he embarked on a grander enterprise.

His plan was to build a new, first class hotel and restaurant at School Street base of Beacon Hill, just down road from domed Massachusetts State House. Parker purchased former Mico Mansion and razed decrepit boarding house. In its place, Parker built an ornate, five story, Italianate-style stone and brick hotel, faced with gleaming white marble. The first and second floors featured arched windows, while marble steps led from sidewalk to marble foyer within. Once inside, thick carpets and fashionable horsehair divans completed an air of elegance. Above front door, an engraved sign read simply, "Parker's." Even visiting British author Charles Dickens marveled at splendor of Boston's finest new hotel. To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link: http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/hotels/omni/parker/house.html

Jetsetters Magazine Editor – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com

Kriss Hammond, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent. Join the Travel Writers Network in the logo at www.jetsettersmagazine.com

Having arrived at Keswick late in afternoon, I took a short stroll around grounds, and then enjoyed tea — complete with scones, clotted cream, preserves, and pastries — in music room adjacent to library. After a rest in my room, it was, of course, time for dinner (you wouldn’t think I would have needed dinner after tea, but isn’t that what vacation is for?). We stayed on estate that evening, dining in hotel’s sophisticated restaurant, Fossett’s. The striking table settings, coolly elegant flower arrangements, and floor-to-ceiling windows are only part of Fossett’s appeal. The food was also delicious. I had rack of lamb, one of my favorites, and I wasn’t disappointed.

The next morning we headed off for a tour of Monticello. Only first floor of presidential home is open to public, but well-informed docents can answer virtually any question you may have about house, President Jefferson, or his family. It had been some years since I’d visited Monticello and I found I was as captivated as I had been first time to think of intellect, talent, and unbounded curiosity just one person could possess.

Jefferson began clearing land for Monticello and leveling mountaintop in 1768, when he was just 25 years old. The building of house began in 1769. For more than 40 years, Jefferson was constantly involved with construction and enlargement of home. He sketched drawings for first house himself, based on what he had learned from architecture books published in England.

To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link: http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/hotels/south/virginia/charlottesville/keswick/keswick.html

Carol Sorgen, Jetsetters Magazine Editor – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com