150 YEARS OF MATRIMONY PALMER HOUSE, A HILTON HOTEL | 17 E MONROE STREET, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60603 | PALMERHOUSEHILTONHOTEL.COM 1 A HOTEL BUILT ON Sealedlove with a Kiss otter Palmer was a Chicago business P magnate—well-known for a variety of endeavors, including his significant role in the development of downtown Chicago’s iconic State Street. Bertha Honoré Palmer, 23 years Potter’s junior, was a wealthy socialite who also had a drive to learn and succeed. An introduction by Potter’s former business partner, Marshall Field, sparked a romance—and eventual engagement—between Potter and Bertha that led to perhaps one of the most extravagant wedding gifts of all time, the Palmer House Hotel. It was a grand Chicago Hotel, one destined to take its place among the most luxurious hotels in Chicago and beyond. However, only 13 days after its grand opening, the Palmer House fell victim to the Great Chicago Fire. But that didn’t deter Potter. Determined to rebuild his hotel, Potter secured a $1.7 million loan–negotiated on his signature alone. On November 8, 1873, the new Palmer House welcomed its first guests, marking the opening of what would become the nation’s longest continually operating hotel. 2 3 SESQUICENTENNIAL proposalHonore & Palmer Package FINE POINTS NICETIES PARTICULARS • Three hour hosted bar parcel • Satin lamour table linens with • Two complimentary evenings in one • 4 butler passed hors d’oeuvres complementing serviettes bedroom suite accommodation for • Framed table numbers couple. Upgraded one bedroom suite • Champagne toast accommodations for the parents of • Three course meal includes meal • Votive candles three per table bride and groom at the preferred decision tasting for 6 • Personalized menu cards with each standard guestroom wedding room block rate • Bertha Palmer 1879 china place- place setting setting valued at $30K for couple • One complimentary microphone • Two complimentary “I do” parlor at dinner reception suites on the wedding day to serve • One complimentary quad box as wedding attire & glam room • Preferred standard guestroom wedding block rate of $150 • Complimentary Palmer House brownie at check-in for arriving overnight guests 4 5 The Original MC The hotel's rich history extends to the subbasement vault which stores racks of gold-trimmed Havilland bone china, EMANATING PASSION, whose sets today are valued at $30,000 each, from a legendary party given in LOVE & 1879 to honor President Ulysses S. Grant. In 1879, the “Greatest Banquet in American History” was celebrated at the hotel. Commemorating the return of President Ulysses S. Grant after his trip around the World, Potter and Bertha Palmer hosted a gala Red Lacquer Room dinner for 500 dignitaries including adventure honoring Civil War heroes, General William Sherman and Phillip Sheridan. Among those in attendance Palmer’s mong the more dazzling Piaf, Leslie Caron and others. runways had not been set up) friend, Mark Twain was the master of A events that have occurred None was available. he was more than pleased. ceremonies, making this dinner and in the Palmer House, took hotel talked about for ages to come. It was then that the Chamber The day of the gala, the ballet place in the Red Lacquer performed a miracle. With the master called for a full dress Ballroom in 1989, during the help of the French government rehearsal at 3:00 pm. The bicentennial of the French and Air France, they got the runways were now in place Revolution. The hotel’s valued entire cast of the historic Lido and the tables in between them client, the Chicago chapter of de Paris to come to America already set with linen, china, the French American Chamber to perform at the gala in the flowers, etc. The room was of Commerce was planning Red Lacquer Ballroom in the flourishing with French flags a high end, black- tie event Palmer House! Singers, dancers, and bunting. in the hotel commemorating musicians—and 15 of the exotic the 200TH Anniversary of female dancers for which the the overthrow of the French Lido is known on the Champs Monarchy. Elysees in Paris. However, when the organizers Note: None of the girls in the Lido de Paris are Diagrams of the Red Lacquer of the event went to book the from France.The girls who danced in the Lido Ballroom went back and forth so were six feet tall, statuesque and either from Empire Room, which pays that the ballet master in Paris Sweden, Germany or Denmark. homage to Emperor Napoleon could block the performance Bonaparte, they learned that the – primarily the parade of the room had long been blocked Lido showgirls throughout and unavailable. For whatever the room. It was agreed that reasons, the French Chamber a double horseshow shaped Now the girls who are six could not change their planned runway through the tables be feet tall are even taller in date. All that was available on furnished by the Chamber. high heels—and—wearing a Panic broke out with this very high the three offending chandeliers as high the chosen date was the Red three and half foot headdress, end evening about to begin in less as possible to accommodate the Lido Lacquer Ballroom. The Chamber When the buses arrived at the standing on a two and half than three hours! de Paris dancers. The evening was Further note: Most of the girls who danced grabbed it and proceeded to hotel from O’Hare with the foot high runway! The girls an astounding success….and not one in the Lido used their pay to finance their plan the gala evening. dancers et al, the ballet master Lido de Paris rules state that no changes are now over eight feet from guest knew of the impending peril, or educations as lawyers, doctors and other wanted to immediately see the be made to costumes of performers. professions. To ensure that the event was the floor. Once they started to noticed that three of the chandeliers Red Lacquer Room where the The dancers had to appear with their a major success, the Chamber move, their headdresses got were higher than the others. show and the dancers would headdresses. The problem was with sought a famous female French caught in the bottom of the perform the following evening. the chandeliers. In less than two hours, entertainer—Patachou, Edith chandeliers! When he saw the room (the hotel carpenters were rushed to raise 6 true story. 7 LOVE AT FIRST receptionbite hors d’oeuvres COLD • Ratatouille stuffed cherry tomato • Traditional tomato basil bruschetta • Caprese, basil, heirloom tomato spear EVERY LOVE STORY • Smoked salmon rosette on pumpernickel STARTS WITH A HOT • Baked brie, apricot enveloped in phyllo • Bacon enfolded date Grand & State Ballroom • Wild mushroom satchel stunning setting • Petit beef wellington ome of the most glittering social Grand and State. The wait list was Marovitz recognized him and expedited S galas and balls have taken place more than 500. Kennedy’s Palmer Kennedy’s reinstatement.) in the fabled Palmer House Hilton’s House appearance drew gigantic It was when Kennedy returned from Grand and State Ballroom(s) for nearly advance press, however media was the Dirksen building that we put to a century. However, one of the most not allowed at the event itself. Movie full use PDR 4, now called the Indiana memorable events is the now historic star handsome Kennedy who lived in Room on the third floor. Potter Palmer luncheon hosted by the Chicago the hotel for two days proved to be 11, who built the present hotel foresaw Women’s Advertising Association one of the kindest, most affable and that presidents, royalty, heads of in the early 1990’s. (Ted Ratcliff was genuinely sincere VIP’s ever. And none state and major celebrities could not the new General Manager) of his stay and appearance included make their entrance through throngs Secret Service personnel, bodyguards The keynote speaker for this event of people, and created the small or any kind of private security. When was none other than the late John F. room one floor below the Grand and Kennedy realized his passport had Kennedy Jr. then publisher of GEORGE State with a concealed door leading expired, and had a planned trip to Magazine. When the announcement to a staircase up ending at the very France following speaking at the broke that JFK, Jr., would be the back of the Grand Ballroom on the Palmer House, he walked to and from attraction, the event completely sold fourth floor! the Dirksen Federal Building—by out in less than six hours! The himself—before he spoke—to get Kennedy entered and exited safely event booked 150 rounds of ten, or the passport reinstated! (Illinois using this brilliant Palmer House 1500 guests—literal capacity for the Supreme Court Judge Abraham Lincoln architectural feature. 8 9 onI THEE this FED day Premier Cours Deuxieme Cours Troisieme Cours Select either Soup or Salad. Plated entree served with pasta, • Gelato Basil Parfait rice, couscous or potato selection strawberry compote, vanilla SOUP and vegetable medley. bean gelato, chocolate biscotti • Palmer House signature roasted • Amish breast of chicken • Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch tomato garden basil parmesan panko crust, pan jus Biscuit rich chocolate mousse, sea salt • Roasted butternut squash • Organic breast of chicken caramel cream cinnamon apples marsala reduction, mushrooms • Chocolate Flourless Cake • 1909 Cream of Asparagus dill • Pork tenderloin herb roasted, intense chocolate cake, crème fraiche demi glace chocolate ganache • Grilled vegetable Napoleon • Strawberry Shortcake SALAD roasted Portobello mushroom, chocolate ganache ball, herbed polenta • Cucumber Ribbon Salad strawberry, cake, shortbread, season greens wrapped with chantilly cream cucumber ribbon, tomato, dried • 150th Anniversary Brownie cranberries, toasted walnuts, Seven Tier Sundae balsamic vinaigrette brownie bottom layer, • Caesar alternating layers of French romaine spears, red & yellow vanilla ice cream and brownie grape tomatoes, shaved brittle chocolate mousse, parmesan, creamy Caesar chocolate sauce, elderberry dressing macerated apricots, fresh • Brie Poached Pear Salad apricots, Champagne-currant hydroponic bibb lettuce, red candied walnuts and edible oak lettuce, frisee lettuce, red gold flakes.