Photo credit: Paul Morigi, Getty Images
No, that is not Rose Mary Woods in the below photo; although it could be…….the phone, typewriter, rolodex, ashtray, pencils, the beehive and most importantly the tape recorder……all scream out late 60’s and early 70’s with an updated official uniform by Mad Men costumer, Janie Bryant. Woods was President Nixon’s gatekeeper best known for her undying allegiance to her boss by ‘inadvertently’ erasing 18 1/2 minutes from an incriminating tape during the Watergate impeachment trial. Loyal to the end, Rose Mary Woods died in 2005 taking her secrets to her grave.
Woods was symbolically resurrected when guests checked in at the black tie grand reopening of The Watergate Hotel hosted by owners Jacques and Rakel Cohen of Euro Capital Properties, following a $125 million renovation and playing up The Watergate’s distinct heritage.
a.k.a. “Rose Marie Woods”
The real Rose Mary Woods – Creative Commons photo
“I’ve won my second consecutive Emmy for The Bay, the series that I’ve been doing for four years. I’m one of the producers on the show and I also play Father Leonie and I give spiritual guidance to the wayward actors on the show,” Vincent de Paul told Hollywood on the Potomac. “I’m so very happy to be the campaign image of the Watergate Hotel that I shot a year and a half ago. I didn’t realize how opulent, and beautiful, and decadent this entire space could be until tonight. I’m happy to be here with Felicia Zinio-Baker and Elizabeth Webster.” Looking like he stepped out of a James Bond flick, de Paul is a suitable image for the Watergate Hotel.
Elizabeth Webster, actor Vincent De Paul and his sister Felicia Zannino-Baker Photo credit: Janet Donovan
“You know, I have to say, I wanted to return to the scene of the crime, but at this point the crime committed here seems minor to the every day crimes perpetrated in Washington DC.” Radio Broadcaster Larry O’Connor.
Tricia Messerschmidt Photo credit: Janet Donovan
“The thing about it is, I actually photographed President Nixon so I thought it’d be appropriate if I have one of his portraits hanging in the lobby. I haven’t talked to them about it, but the option is open.I have a portrait in my office. I did it on his 80th birthday, a photograph with the grandchildren. It was probably the last portrait he had taken.” Photographer Philip Birmingham
Philip Birmingham Photo credit: Janet Donovan
“The Watergate Hotel is a game changer on so many levels. It ups the ante on what it means to live, shop and eat at the Watergate Complex. It elevates the art of serious luxury hospitality in Washington DC and it is saying to the other great luxury hotel brands in the world: ‘You don’t have to stuffy and pretentious in order to be unabashedly serious about providing a five star decadent experience.’ And the grand opening was perfect…… exquisite and perfectly over the top Watergate Style.” Julian High Vaughn, Watergate Florist
Photo credit: Janet Donovan
They drank the catatonic sugar high: Champagne & Cotton Candy
They dined on S’more Volcanos:
Gallery photos by Janet Donovan
They danced the night away:
They flocked to Senator Bob Dole:
Owners Rakel Cohen and Jacques Cohen with former Sen. Bob and Elizabeth Dole
They’ll be back:
Giuseppe Cecchi (C) and family
And yes, that was New York Post’s gossip icon Cindy Adams.
