03/25/10 The Washington Hilton celebrated it’s 45th anniversary today with presidential wax figures from Madame Tussauds to represent key moments in the hotel’s history. As part of the hotel’s $140 million restoration (set for completion in June), the hotel is also restoring its name from “Hilton Washington” (as it is currently known since 1998) to “Washington Hilton,” as it was originally christened in 1965.

Three 45-year hotel employees were also honored including Mary Johnson who has been a Room Attendant since the hotel opened in 1965. She told me that one of her first jobs was putting lampshades on all the new light fixtures.