On Nov. 1, visitors checking into the Sorrento Hotel were greatly surprised to see elegant ladies and gentlemen attired in 1909 fashions sipping tea in the opulent splendor of the fireside room with its fine wood paneling, red plush and brocade furnishings.
The ladies and gentlemen were all members of Somewhere in Time, Unlimited (SITU). The ladies wore large feathered and flowered hats and daytime walking attire. The gentlemen had removed their top hats and bowlers (no gentleman would ever be seen wearing a hat indoors). The ladies had removed their gloves according to the rules of etiquette of the time.
The Sorrento Hotel was celebrating its 100th anniversary having opened in 1909 just in time for the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, opening in Seattle in summer 1909. The 3.7 million visitors to the fair during its four-and-a-half month run on the University of Washington campus brought Seattle and Washington state into the national spotlight, literally putting Seattle on the map. The Sorrento was the most luxurious hotel in Seattle of its day.
The Sorrento, designed by the renowned architect Harlan Thomas for Samuel Rosenberg, was built with seven stories in Italianate style.
The elegant hotel offered views, which were unparalleled at the time. It even featured an elevator, which could reach the top floor, specially dedicated to entertainment. Seattle residents reached the hotel by cable car.
According to real estate mogul Henry Broderick, Seattle just wasn't ready for so much elegance. Sam Rosenberg recognized the loser he had on his hands and traded the hotel for 240 acres of prime orchard land in Oregon.
However, Rosenberg remained interested and involved in the hotel until his death in 1916. His sons, Harry and David Rosenberg used the orchard to build the empire mail-order fruit business, which still operates today as "Harry and David."
The hotel valiantly played an important role during World War I and World War II, providing housing for military officers. Even during the 1950s, the entertainment scene at the hotel was top notch.
Today, the Sorrento is being considered for landmark status. The Hunt Club continues its tradition of fine dining. The Sorrento is still considered one of the most luxurious, full-service hotels in Seattle.
I have fond memories of dining at the Hunt Club and dancing on the roof at the Top of the Town.
In fact, in the late '70s and early '80s, the Sorrento and its very British general manager were featured on our radio program, The British Hour. We helped them organize their afternoon English teas.
"Come Back to Sorrento," sung by the late Luciano Pavorati, was a very apt theme song to introduce the hotel. The Hunt Club has moved downstairs but the food is still excellent and teatime is still a success in the fireside room.
In fact, it gets even better. During the Christmas season, the Dickens carolers will be entertaining every day.
Now more about the talented and imaginative members of Somewhere in Time, Unlimited.
The group was formed in 1979 by some members of the Society for Creative Anachronism who wanted to extend the historical dateline beyond the 1600s. SITU has sponsored many exciting and enjoyable events, sometimes in conjunction with the Jane Austen Society.
Events from a Dickensian Christmas to ragtime of the '20s. Outdoor events in conjunction with vintage car clubs give ample opportunity for different costumes of different time periods, styles, etc., allowing members to move from daytime to nighttime events in elegant style.
I have been a devoted member of SITU for many years. It has been fun to get away for a different and more elegant time period. Check out the SITU website: www.SITUSeattle.com
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