“Tea Foyer, Muehlebach Hotel, Kansas City, Mo.” is the title of a Hall Brothers postcard, published in color when the hotel opened in 1915. The printed legend on the reverse side reads: “One of the most magnificent hotels in America. The decorations in all the 450 guest rooms being Louis XVI, Adam and Colonial styles; the furnishing alone cost over $500,000. The total cost of the hotel $2,300,000. The pleasant facilities pictured served afternoon tea, dainty sandwiches and cake daily, in an era when life moved at a slower pace. Furnishings were of the popular wicker and cushioned in floral prints. The well-known hotel at the southwest corner of 12th and Baltimore was built with funds from the estate of George Muehlebach who came to Kansas City from Switzerland in 1857 and opened a saddle shop. His farm and vineyard were west of Westport. Since its erection the hotel has substantially enlarged. It is closed at present for renovation. A liquidation sale of furnishings of the hostelry, expected to last about 50 days, is under way. The presidential suite will remain unchanged. The postcard was mailed to Miss Alize Merritt, Savannah, Mo., with a green one-cent stamp Aug. 3, 1916. Kansas City Times, March 28, 1986.
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