Marriotts and Motor Cars: Made For Each Other

Join Montgomery History for the second lecture in our BOOM Speakers Series as we begin to explore what life was like for persons living in Montgomery County during the 1950s. Katie Dishman, corporate archivist at Marriott International, will discuss the beginnings of Marriott as an A&W root beer stand in Washington, DC in 1927 and its expansion into a well-known international hotel company with headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland. Not only did the baby boom bring new fans of “Food for the Family,” Marriott’s growth was integrally connected with cars at its Hot Shoppes drive-ins as well as its motor hotels at the advent of the Interstate Highway System. Highlights from the 90-year history of the company, including its move to Bethesda in 1955, will be featured.

This dynamic FREE lecture is offered in collaboration with Montgomery County Public Libraries and Marriott International.

While there is no cost for this event, space is limited to 60 attendees. RSVPs are required.

Speaker Bio

Katie Dishman has been the corporate archivist at Marriott International for almost two years. Prior to moving to Maryland, she was an archivist at the National Archives in Chicago. She was also a corporate archivist at General Mills, Anheuser-Busch, and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. She has a M.A. in history and a Master of Library and Information Science and is a certified archivist.