An Archival Glimpse: President Taft’s Grand Banquet at the De Soto Hotel
“De Soto Hotel, Savannah, GA.” postcard, circa 1890s
V. & J. Duncan Postcard Collection, Item 1121-057_100, City of Savannah Municipal Archives
From the minute the original De Soto Hotel opened to the public in 1890 it immediately became the gold standard for hospitality in Savannah and throughout the south. With its modern amenities, beautiful architecture, and culinary delights, the De Soto went toe to toe with hotels in major metropolitan cities and competed with the renowned resorts built by Henry Flagler along the east coast of Florida. The De Soto hosted celebrities like Katherine Hepburn, Gregory Peck, and Henry Ford, plus countless political dignitaries and at least 5 presidents, not to mention generations of High School proms, social events, and thousands of ordinary tourists who flocked to the Hostess City.
The Municipal Archives’ De Soto Hotel Collection sheds light on some of the most exciting moments in the hotel’s history through menus and event programs. When President Taft visited Savannah in November of 1909, his arrival was celebrated by a grand banquet at the De Soto Hotel. The event was attended by over 350 guests. Every last detail of the event was engineered to produce a maximum impact and sense of awe on the guests and the President. Georgia Governor Joseph Mackey Brown and President Taft addressed the crowd, after which 20 white doves were released behind the President, much to the attendees’ excitement. Even the dinner menu was specially curated to celebrate the greatness of local ingredients. Guests were served Dafuskie Oyster, Ogeechee River Trout, Diamond Back Terrapin from Isle of Hope, Ossabaw Venison, Yamacraw Yams, and Hermitage Rice Birds. Each of these courses was served in a signature souvenir dish or platter such as miniature functioning chafing dishes, perfume bottles filled with Apricot brandy, and silver filigree coasters.
President William H. Taft, 1909
The DeSoto Hotel Collection, Item 1121-089-0005_001, City of Savannah Municipal Archives
Program for the banquet held on the occasion of the visit of President William H. Taft at the DeSoto Hotel, November 4, 1909
The DeSoto Hotel Collection, Item 1121-089-0004_001, City of Savannah Municipal Archives
Menu from the banquet held in honor of President William H. Taft at the DeSoto Hotel, November 4, 1909
The DeSoto Hotel Collection, Item 1121-089-0004_003, City of Savannah Municipal Archives
The day after the banquet, Taft was celebrated across the city with an entire day of festivities on November 5th, dubbed “Taft Day,” including a parade past City Hall, acrobatic performances in Forsyth Park by the Six Flying Banyards, a musical concert by the Savannah City Band in Wright Square, flyovers by the Strobel Airships, and the ceremonial tour on the U.S. Revenue Cutter “Yamacraw.” Taft was hosted on the “Yamacraw” by a delegation of local men and the cutter’s official mascot, featured on a postcard from the era.
President Taft on board the U.S. Revenue Cutter “Yamacraw”
Palumbo collection of Savannah-area materials, Item 1121-070_0137, City of Savannah Municipal Archives
Mascot of the U.S. Revenue Cutter “Yamacraw”
Palumbo collection of Savannah-area materials, Item 1121-070_0405, City of Savannah Municipal Archives
To learn more about the banner events at the De Soto Hotel watch the Hungry for History program “Feasts and Fêtes: A Chronicle of History, Cuisine, and Celebrations at Savannah’s Iconic De Soto Hotel,” featuring Kelly Zacovic, Senior Archivist for the City of Savannah Municipal Archives, or explore the De Soto Hotel Collection online (including digitized collection items and the collection inventory)!
To learn more about the Municipal Archives and our collections, visit www.savannahga.gov/MunicipalArchives.