In 1972 my grandparents – Russ and Mary Johnson – attended the “Railroad Income Tax Accounting Conference”. This is the only conference less boring than the “Watching Paint Dry Conference”, but to be honest, it’s a very close race.
I know this because when I was scanning some old photos, I ran across this confirmation pamphlet for their hotel stay at The Greenbrier in West Virginia.
Now a few things here.
- Can you imagine a world where you get a hand-typed reply for a hotel reservation? Mailed to you? I’m lucky if I can find the email Expedia sent me by the time I have to check-in.
- $85 in 1971 about $603 in 2022 dollars. That was probably a pretty sweet hotel room. I couldn’t compare that to a room today but regular rooms start at about $550 and suites start at just over $4k, so I’m guessing the rooms have outpaced inflation.
Speaking of hotel rooms, this is what this place looks like today (and honestly, probably also what it looked like in 1971). They also have a dress code with what might be the most pretentious line ever written: “If denim is your attire preference, well-kept denim in a dark shade is ours.” I hope my grandparents had a great time because I don’t own any “walking shorts” which are the most casual clothes permitted at the resort, so I probably won’t be visiting anytime soon.
