Omni Bedford Springs: James Buchanan's Summer White House

Long before Camp David, presidents escaped Washington's summers in the mountains of Pennsylvania, at a spa built around eight mineral springs.

Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa

The springs at Bedford were found to have curative properties in the 1790s, and a resort grew up around them, known for most of its history as the Bedford Springs Hotel. In August 1848, James K. Polk became the first sitting president to visit, recording in his diary his admiration for its neat, shaded walks and comfortable grounds. Zachary Taylor and John Tyler also came, along with William Henry Harrison, Andrew Jackson, and, before his presidency, James Garfield.

No president loved Bedford Springs more than James Buchanan, Pennsylvania's only president, who spent some forty summers here. During his term from 1857 to 1861, the resort became his Summer White House, and in August 1858 he received here the first transatlantic telegraph message, sent by Queen Victoria. A desk he often used is on display in the lobby.

The resort closed in 1986, and a $120 million restoration brought it back to life in 2007. Today it is a National Historic Landmark operated by Omni, with one of the country's earliest indoor pools, mineral-spring spa treatments, and a historic golf course in the Allegheny foothills.

Plan your stay: Explore more hotels in Bedford

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About this guide: Presidential connections are drawn from public sources, including official White House schedules, presidential and historical archives, and reputable news outlets, as well as the hotels' own published histories. Hotel names, ownership, and amenities may have changed since publication. This information is provided for general interest, is not guaranteed, and should be independently verified. Hotelaholic is not affiliated with or endorsed by any U.S. president or government agency.