• Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Collab
  • Shop
    • Checkout
    • My account
  • LinkTree

Jet Set Jiles

Fasten your seat belts! And experience how beautiful life can be . . .

  • Bon Vie
    • Lifestyle
    • Self Care = Self Love
    • Television
    • Books
    • Stories
  • Bon Appétit
    • Recipes
    • Restaurants
  • Bon Voyage
    • Postcards
    • Crusing
    • Resorts
    • USA
    • Washington DC
    • Las Vegas • Summerlin
    • Europe
    • Digital Nomads / Snowbirds
  • Old Town ALX

Yes, The Greenbrier has a Bunker. Yes, We Toured it Today. No, You Cannot Take Photographs.

September 21, 2019

Postcards from Jiles

photo of a photo from the brochure

Saturday, 21 September, 2019

I don’t know what’s more remarkable. The fact that the Greenbrier — America’s Resort — housed a secret bunker for the U.S. Congress in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia throughout the Cold War. Or the fact that Miles and I made it for an hour and a half without our iPhones while touring it!

We got pleasantly bombarded via email, text, facebook, and phone about the bunker tour. Is there one? You’ve got to go on the tour? Tell us about it? So we decided to take the bunker tour today. The tour is about 90 minutes. It’s resort casual attire. And you should wear comfortable shoes.

Our tour was great. We had Frank. He was very knowable, enthusiastic, and just the right amount of corny. I admit my first question was: why the heck can’t we have our phones? That was the biggest chatter. I mean you can’t even keep it in your pocket. It can’t even be on you. Nor can you, by the way, have a handbag or a firearm.

There were about 25 of us on the tour. We were all thinking ourselves cool and smart with our thoughts. “What the big deal?” “It’s declassified now.” “No secret stuff going on anymore.” Then there was the “I bet there is secret stuff going on now and they’re saying all this to throw us off.”

Turns out, Frank said, it has nothing to do with the Government. It’s actually because the bunker is currently being leased to a company that hosts servers. Fortune 500 companies. Secret information. Blah blah blah.

So essentially, for the Greenbrier to be able to continue tours they have to abide by this company’s rules. And the Greenbrier doesn’t want the company to stop leasing from them because they need the money. Just the electric bill alone for the bunker is $10k a month.

The Greenbrier bunker, a congressional fallout shelter, was hidden in plain sight through all of the Cold War. The bunker was was open for business in 1963. Under the new West Virginia Wing of the Greenbrier. Construction cost the Government around $15 million (in the hundred millions by today’s standards). Three million went toward the West Virginia Wing. And the rest went toward the bunker. Interestingly, the bunker was owned by the Greenbrier and leased by the Federal Government — thus leaving less of a paper trail and helping to protect it’s secrecy.

In 1992, it was declassified after the Washington Post ran Ted Gup’s article Last Resort exposing its existence. It was thought that the need for it was obsolete as military technology had advanced beyond that of bombs.

The bunker at the Greenbrier was a Fallout Shelter (as opposed to a Bomb Shelter) thus a need for added secrecy around its existence. The secrecy adds protection. At the beginning of the Cold War we were in an era of bombs. It was thought, at the time of construction, if we were attacked it would be by bomb. It would take the USSR 8 hours to get a bomb to reach the United States going over the North Pole and Canada.

The Greenbrier’s location was chosen because it’s quickly accessible by automobile, plane, and train. Congress could hop the train at Union Station and reach America’s Resort in just 5 hours.

While the bunker remained in working order, the closest it ever came to being activated was during the Cuban Missile Crisis. One of the many rooms we toured was the briefing room. It would have been great for pictures! There were two large murals in the room and if a member of congress wanted to communicated with their constituency via television they could tape in front of the murals. They also had a rather nifty technology that could make the murals look as though it was the current season. Flowers blooming. Leaves falling. Snow covered. etc. The psychology, of course being, that shooting in front of these clever murals was thought to keep the public calm in the event of an attack and make it look like everything was stable.

Another fact I found interesting was they had tons of food. First C-rations then MREs. A good supply that would last for 40 days. But they also kept three days of fresh food on hand for many many years. When the fresh food wasn’t used it got upcycled into the resort so it never went to waste. Quite progressive in my opinion.

We highly recommend it! Especially, after taking the train ourselves from the Alexandria station. Frank told us we can actually go get pictures in three areas so we’re gonna try that tomorrow. He also hooked-us up with the declassified photos in this post.

Ok, time to dress for dinner. We’re starting with champagne and caviar at Cafe Carleton. Yum. Yum. Tell ya all about that later.

Ciao ciao!

xxx – Jennifer & Miles

p.s. If you’re not already, be sure to follow our adventures on Instagram!

Bon Voyage, Postcards from Jiles

You might also enjoy

Picture Perfect Amalfi . . .
All Aboard! Taking the Train from King Street to the Greenbrier
Wine Tasting at Cave Bianchi 1860 in Nice, France
Previous:
All Aboard! Taking the Train from King Street to the Greenbrier
Next:
Peaches, Poolside, Pina Coladas and Ponderings at the Greenbrier

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

About Me

Bonjour! Welcome!!!

Consciously create a life filled with beauty at home and on your travels. We enjoy practicing the art of living well, and creating daily rituals to thrive & nourish the soul. We love sharing all of our discoveries, and invite you to come along for the ride. 🚙💕

Let’s Socialize

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Subscribe

Hot off the press . . .

Jackie O’s Brilliant 30k Monthly Clothing Allowance • Story from Nancy McKeon’s Memoir — Jackie’s Girl: My Life with the Kennedy Family

Press Preview & Opening → Beyond Camelot: The Life & Legacy of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Exhibition • Donated by Monte Durham to The First Ladies Museum in Canton, Ohio

We Made It! We’re at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Canton, Ohio — Just Across the Street From the First Ladies Library & Museum

Categories

Browse

  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Collab
  • Legalese

Pip Pip Cheerio!

Did ya know “pip pip” mimics the double honk on an early 20th century motorcar? It's an upperclass British colloquialism for farewell. 🎩 I learned that because we're Downton Abbey superfans!

jennifermariedejiles

State of the art security on Nautical Jiles 🛥️🐾…

_______________
@milesdejiles #oldtownalx #boatdog #visitvirginia #virginiaisfordoglovers
Hotel Café Royal • London This place is on Reg Hotel Café Royal • London

This place is on Regent Street where the elegance of Mayfair merges with energy of Soho — and it is one great fashion show! When we’re in London we like to go here have drinks, an appetizer, and people watch. 😍

It popped up on my FB memories today. 🥰

Have ya been? Will you go? Let us know. 

xxx 
____________________
#dolchevita #londonlife #hotelcaferoyal #regentstreet #london🇬🇧
Guess where this is? 🤣 _____________________ # Guess where this is? 🤣 
_____________________
#bicycles #bicycleart #oldtownalx #alexandriava #visitvirginia
My husband sure can take some beautiful pictures! My husband sure can take some beautiful pictures! Here’s the Boat Club from Hummingbird. 😍
_______________________
#flowerpictures #boatclub #extraordinaryalx #alexandriava #virginiaisforlovers #olddominionboatclub #prettypictures  #springday #springflowers #potomacriver #oldtownalexandria #oldtownalx #oldtownpost 

well done @milesdejiles 😘
Went to Barca last night. The staff couldn’t hav Went to Barca last night. The staff couldn’t have been nicer! We had a great time. 

It’s a small plate concept. We shared everything. But some favorites emerged. Miles really liked the BEEF TENDERLOIN with tomatoes, red wine, shallots, garlic, & jalapeños. And by far my fav was the JAMÓN SERRANO CROQUETAS with manchego & aleppo-orange honey. On my list to try next time are the STUFFED DATES with blue cheese, jamón serrano, & olive oil — they sound delish! 

It’s packed most of the time. But Tuesday around 4 o’clock we were seated straight away. It was pretty full by the time we left. We were conscious not to linger. But they never made us feel rushed. And they were super welcoming to the furry princess! 

Have ya been? Will ya go? Let us know! And follow us for more in Old Town.🍍⚓️💛

😘 @jetsetjiles 

___________________
#extraordinaryalx #alexandriava #visitalx #visitvirginia #dmveats @barca_alx
Miles took a really nice picture of me and the fur Miles took a really nice picture of me and the furry princess! I took three of Miles and managed to not get his face in all three of them. 🤦‍♀️ 

Think I’ll do better playing photographer for the blessing of the fleet tomorrow? Stay tuned! 
___________________
#searay #searayboats #lillypulitzer #yorkielife #oldtownalexandria #furbaby #lifestyleblogger #dolchevita @milesdejiles #potomacriver #nauticaljiles #🛥 #luxurylifestyleblogger #slowlivingmovement #liveinthemoment #grateful🙏
#flasbackfriday — me 4 years ago in Rome My cap #flasbackfriday — me 4 years ago in Rome

My captain was: Ciao Rome! 🇮🇹🍕🛵 On to London, baby!!! 🎩🇬🇧🍻Vroom . . .

__________________
#rome #romanholiday #louisvuitton  #vespa  #tulleskirt #pearlskirt #dolchevita #italianplaces
I just posted it and @milesdejiles has already sta I just posted it and @milesdejiles has already started practicing. 😂 

___________________
#learnfrench #crazylove #crazylife #myhusbandismybestfriend
Insta just made this reels for me! Insta just made this reels for me!
We’ve had a lot of strollers. And this Roodo is We’ve had a lot of strollers. And this Roodo is by far the best to go out dining with! It’s got a really small footprint without sacrificing space for the furry princess. And it was by for the easiest one to put together — it came folded like an umbrella and we just popped on wheels. 

Link to it on our blog. And you can link to that in our bio. 

😘 
_________________
#furbaby #dogstroller #yorkiesofinstagram #strollersfordogs
We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing. — George Bernard Shaw

_________________
#georgebernardshaw #quotestoliveby #beyourbeautiful #inlovewithlife #dolchevita
Celebrating this fella today! ❤️🎂🥳 We h Celebrating this fella today! ❤️🎂🥳

We had a leisurely lunch at Chart House, toasting Miles! Sipped a nice pale pink rosé in the shade and people watched in between courses. Limited menu compared to the olden days. But it was tasty. 

I love you so much @milesdejiles — thanks for sharing your day with us! 😘 

_______________________
#🥳 #happybirthdaytoyou #extraordinaryalx #visitalx #alexandriavirginia @charthouserestaurants
This is the beauty I came downstairs to this morni This is the beauty I came downstairs to this morning. A perfect bouquet from the furry princess for Mother’s Day weekend! 

I do suspect Chou Chou’s daddy had something to do with it! 😉 

Many thanks to my loves! And lots of love to all of you! 😘 
___________________________
#dogdad #furbabies #dogmomday #bouquetofflowers #happymarriedlife
We went to the opening of the Jackie Exhibit, dona We went to the opening of the Jackie Exhibit, donated by @therealmontedurham , at the First Ladies Exhibit in Canton, Ohio. And we’re doing an article on it for @thezebrapress 🦓!!!

I’ve been working on our Zebra article. And it’s so fun to look at all the pics of this smart, amazing, and stylish lady. 

Full article in the June print edition! But if you want a little behind the scenes we’ve got a peek of the press event on the blog. Link in Bio. 

À bientôt! 😘 

_________________
#jackiekennedy #jackieo #firstlady #portraitart #portrait @firstladiesnps  @firstladieslibrary
If you bungle raising your children, I don’t thi If you bungle raising your children, I don’t think whatever else you do matters very much. - Jackie Kennedy 
_________________________
#jackiekennedy #jackiekennedyonassis #jackiekennedyquotes #quoteoftheday #mothersdayweekend
Doors to the weekend are almost open! Any exciting Doors to the weekend are almost open! Any exciting plans?
___________________
#doorsofinstagram #secretgarden #whiteroses #antiquedoors #flowerdaily #flowerdecor #europe #oldtown #doorsofeurope #roses🌹
Oh how we love Downton! ❤️ _________________ # Oh how we love Downton! ❤️
_________________
#downtonabbey #julianfellowes #downtonabbeystyle #highclerecastle #liveslow
That green door for spring is just perfect! 👒🌷💚
_____________________
#oldtownalexandria #visitvirginia #visitalxva #doorsofinstagram #extraordinaryalx
Here’s to slow living luxury. 🥂 ___________ Here’s to slow living luxury. 🥂 

___________________
#slowliving #slowlivingforlife #slowlivingmovement #memorymaking
Miles found some pictures of the after party and s Miles found some pictures of the after party and sunrise breakfast, before the big help out. 🤣 

📸: Niel Mason

______________________
@milesdejiles #kingcharles #coronation #kingcharlesiii #londonerslondon
Follow on Instagram
Design by SkyandStars.co
Back Top

Copyright © 2023. Jet Set Jiles

 

Loading Comments...