Rescuing the Grand Hotel of Bretton Woods
NARRATOR: Standing against the backdrop of New Hampshire's White Mountains, the Mount Washington Hotel looks like a grand white castle with a bright red roof. Today, two students are visiting this famous historic landmark.
MAYA: (looking up in awe) Wow, Leo, look at this place! It feels like stepping back in time. How old is this hotel?
LEO: I read that it opened way back in 1902. But let's ask the hotel historian. Excuse me, sir!
MR. VANCE: (smiling warmly) Welcome to the Mount Washington Hotel! My name is Mr. Vance. You picked a wonderful day to learn about our history.
MAYA: Mr. Vance, who built this huge hotel in the middle of the mountains?
MR. VANCE: A wealthy businessman named Joseph Stickney brought in 250 skilled Italian artisans to build it. They crafted the detailed woodwork and grand plaster designs by hand. When it opened, it was one of the grandest resort hotels in the entire country!
NARRATOR: For decades, wealthy guests traveled here by steam train to escape hot city summers. They enjoyed golf, mountain air, and elegant dinners in the circular dining room.
LEO: Did anything famous happen here?
- landmark:
- A historic or easily recognized building or feature in a landscape.
- artisans:
- Workers skilled at crafting things by hand.
- delegates:
- People chosen to act or speak for others at an official meeting.
- preservationists:
- People who work to protect and save historic buildings, objects, or nature.
- restoration:
- The process of repairing and renewing a structure to its original condition.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1When did the Mount Washington Hotel first open?
- 2Who brought in skilled artisans to build the Mount Washington Hotel?
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About this reader's theater passage for Upper Elementary
“Rescuing the Grand Hotel of Bretton Woods” is a reader's theater reading passage about History and Restoration of the Mount Washington Hotel, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (472 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.