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To the far right on the wall is a map of the North Atlantic Ocean.

In order for a message to reach Europe prior to the 1850s, it would have to go by ship, taking several weeks to make the crossing one way. The reply message could also take weeks to return. As a result, commerce and diplomacy moved slowly.

In 1858, after many attempts, a cable was successfully laid from Ireland to Newfoundland, connecting Europe and North America.

President James Buchanan was in residence here at the time. The first official message sent via the trans-Atlantic cable was sent August 12, 1858, from Queen Victoria to President Buchanan, to which he responded on the same day. The text of those messages is on the wall by the map.

Queen Victoria’s message: “Come, let us talk together. American genius and English enterprise have this day joined together, the old and the new world. Let us hope that they may be as closely allied in the bonds of peace, harmony, and kindred feeling.”

President James Buchanan replied: “New England accepts with gladness, the hand of fellowship proffered by old England, and if ever discord or diversity of interest should threaten this alliance, let our language be, ‘entreat me not to leave thee, or return from following thee,’ for the interests of thy people shall be the interests of my people, and ‘thy God shall be my God’.”

The cable was an amazing technological step forward for both commerce and diplomacy!

Over the next three weeks of the cable’s use, there were numerous messages sent and received, but then the cable failed, and it was another eight years before a new cable was laid that successfully connected the two continents.

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Seventy years later, the Bedford Springs was involved in communication technology again, but this time it during World War and the medium was radio.

In May 1942, the Keystone Radio School opened at the Bedford Springs. US Navy sailors participated in a program to learn to send radio messages. 

The sailors took advantage of being at the hotel—including boxing as well as games and sports on the lawn—and they participated in local parades and theater productions.

Ultimately about 7,000 sailors were trained by the time that the radio school was closed in December 1944.

In 1945, the US government again called on the Bedford Springs to help. The government needed a secure rural place, that was close to Washington DC, to house important enemy prisoners. The resort had to be modified to have fences and guard boxes.

Approximately 190 Japanese diplomats and their families had been posted in Germany. They were taken prisoner after Germany’s surrender. From August 8 until November 15, 1945, they stayed at the Bedford Springs. The prisoners weren’t allowed any amenities, so alcohol and the golf course were off limits.  Food was brought from Washington, DC so that the local food supply wasn’t depleted.

After they were sent back to Japan, the hotel closed for refurbishing, and reopened with the light blue color palette that is featured on the walls of this room.

As you look around, you’ll notice the grandfather clock to your left. It is one of three here at the Bedford Springs which was made by Jacob Diehl in the 1760s. Diehl was a local Bedford craftsman whose descendants still live in Bedford 260 years later. His beautiful work shows that even so soon after the founding of Bedford in the 1750s, high quality work was being done on the “frontier.” 

The display cases behind you contain ledgers from the 1800s and are a fascinating glimpse of life at the Bedford Springs. President James K. Polk, for example, and his servant stayed with us for 6 days in 1850. The ledger shows that he paid $9.00 for board of himself, $4.50 for his servant, and 13 cents for postage.

Mr. W. G. Wetherall, his wife, 3 daughters, and son stayed with us for 15 ¾ days in 1868 and paid $270 for their board.  He also bought ½ barrel of water for $3.00. Even as late as 1868, the guests valued the water so much that they purchased it “to go”!

Please continue your tour.