The La Posada Hotel, the 1930 Spanish Revival landmark that has anchored downtown Winslow for nearly a century, has been inducted into Historic Hotels of America, the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s official program for recognizing the country’s finest historic hotels.
The designation places La Posada among more than 300 hotels and resorts nationwide honored for preserving their architecture, ambiance and historic integrity. To qualify, a property must be at least 50 years old, listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or designated a National Historic Landmark, and recognized as historically significant.
“Historic Hotels of America is delighted to induct La Posada, a Spanish Revival hotel built in 1930,” said Lawrence Horwitz, executive vice president of Historic Hotels of America. He praised owners Allan Affeldt and Tina Mion and the hotel’s leadership for preservation work and vision that he said would let future generations experience the destination.
La Posada, the name meaning “The Resting Place,” opened in 1930 as the crown jewel of the Fred Harvey chain of luxury railroad hotels. Architect Mary E.J. Colter designed every aspect of the building and considered it her finest work.
The hotel’s history was not always so bright. After closing in 1957, the building endured roughly four decades of institutional neglect. Its museum-quality furnishings were auctioned off and the interior was gutted to serve as railroad office space. When the railway scaled back in the early 1990s, La Posada landed on the National Trust’s list of endangered places.
That threat drew the attention of preservationist Allan Affeldt, who with his team spent the next three decades leading a restoration that brought the building back to life. Today the hotel operates as a kind of living museum, showcasing its architecture, art, cuisine and a commitment to sustainability.
“Beautiful historic hotels play an essential role across America, creating a sense of place in towns large and small,” Affeldt said. He added that he was proud to join Historic Hotels of America and grateful for the guests and fellow hoteliers who cherish such properties.
Historic Hotels of America is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a private nonprofit chartered by Congress in 1949. Its members span 44 states along with the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
