Celebration Days in September

September 24, 2024

September is probably best known for a celebration like Labor Day. Continuing our National Days blog series, I’ve highlighted two other day celebrations in the month as illustrated by materials from the IHS digital collection.

In 2022, the American Hotel and Lodging Association along with National Day Calendar began celebrating September 1st as National Hotel Employee Day. There are many types of work that cover all the staffing needed in the hotel industry. Those jobs have also changed over time. Here I present a series of photographs related to the industry and employees that were integral to their hotel’s work.

Checking in across the decades…Columbia Hotel, Greenfield, IN, ca. 1900; Hotel Wesley, Indianapolis, 1926; Claypool Hotel, Indianapolis, 1958. P0003, IHS (cropped); Bass Photo Co Collection, IHS; P0569, IHS (cropped).

One of the most important moments of your hotel stay is checking in at the reception desk. This process has remained largely the same throughout time, though the technological process has changed significantly. Still, this is one aspect of hotel service, where you’ll usually interact with an employee of the hotel. There are some chains that are adding a no-contact option via e-check-in and mobile keys though so this may be changing.

A person’s gotta eat…food workers are an important part of the hotel industry. Columbia Hotel dining room, Greenfield, IN, ca. 1900; Cottage Hotel dining room, Ladoga, IN, 1915; Tavern at the Claypool Hotel, Indianapolis, 1961. P0003, IHS (cropped); P0638, IHS (cropped); P0675, IHS (cropped).

I don’t know about you but when I arrive at my destination, I’m usually tired and famished. It’s always nice when the hotel harbors a restaurant, so I don’t have to go anywhere else. A very special shout-out to the food workers at these dining establishments and those who work room service, as they make our stays easier.

So many jobs to do…Plasterers at the French Lick Springs Hotel, French Lick, IN, 1911; Cleaning the floor at the Terre Haute House, Terre Haute, IN, 1948; Johnny Roventini, bellman, at the Claypool Hotel, Indianapolis, 1943. P0638, IHS ; Martin Collection, IHS (cropped); P0569, IHS.

Whether working for the hotel on a short-term project or being in it for the long haul, all hotel employees play an important role.

In addition to the hard-working hotel employees shown above, it’s fun to look at something even more light-hearted. As a former teddy bear collector, I was especially interested in the fact that September 8 is National Teddy Bear Day. Here we show those young and old with their bears, as well as an Ayres Christmas display featuring the important toy department staple.

A young girl posing for a formal portrait with a teddy bear, Terre Haute, IN, ca. 1925; Christmas display showing bears with a tree brimming with the toy, Indianapolis, IN, 1986; Allen W. Clowes cuddling a bear and wearing one on his lapel too, ca. 1990. Martin Collection, IHS (cropped); M0616, IHS (cropped); M1028, IHS (cropped).

I hope you enjoy our national day and month series’ as well as other great blog content from the Indiana Historical Society staff!

Amy Vedra is the director of reference services. She is currently reading her way through the Great American Reads list.

Share this post:

<Previous Blog Post County Extension Agents during World War II

>Next Blog Post Are We Related?: Cheek

Facebook Comment