In the early part of the 20th century American designers looked towards French couture for inspiration. But Claire McCardell was a pioneering outlier. From the 1930s to the 1950s this designer found freedom creating affordable, functional, comfortable clothing, while also making it beautiful. Forging her own path she introduced denim, separates and ballet flats to women that liberated them from the confines of their clothing.
Despite the constant missive that women should not be designing clothes, McCardell was the creator of the “American Look” with casual wear that had dresses with pockets, pantsuits and sportswear with hoods.
Claire McCardell’s passion for fashion was born and nurtured in her hometown of Frederick, Maryland. The historic city in the western part of the state, is famous for having a key role in the civil war. Both Union and Confederate troops co-existed in the same town. A city rich with history Frederick has an abundance of well-preserved buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. Not only is there a plethora Federal style architecture, its rich landscape also features a multitude of styles including Italianate, Gothic Revival and art deco.
Art and artists continue to thrive in Frederick. It’s a city brimming with public art, like trompe l’oeil murals, fountains, independent boutiques, theaters and parks with ample walking and bike trails meandering along the water. It has places like Gravel & Grind, a beloved coffee shop and eatery with specialty coffees made with locally sourced coffee beans and chocolates.
A go-to spot for locals, Gravel & Grind’s signature JC late contains a double shot of espresso, milk infused Nutella and orange blossom. They have a variety of toasts made on locally baked sourdough bread, like their pesto, mozzarella, tomato and arugula toast and decadent waffles on weekends. The multi-tasking shop also specializes in renting and selling reliable bicycles that are ideal for exploring the town, neighboring farmlands and locales like the C&O canal towpath.
“Frederick is a special place for so many reasons,” says Gravel & Grind’s owner Tracy Hathaway. “There is a very real sense of community here and people look out for each other. The downtown area is also very pedestrian friendly and there is easy access to green space with Baker Park and Carroll Creek nearby.”
One of the town’s newest gems in the heart of downtown is Visitation Hotel, which just opened this past December. Originally built in 1846 as a monastery and one of the city’s first schools for girls, it also served as makeshift hospital for Union soldiers injured during the Civil War. Even after the school closed in 2016, its deconsecrated chapel continues to be a historic landmark with lovingly preserved stained glass windows and marble structures.
Steeped in history this 65 room Tribute Portfolio hotel was renovated with luxurious bedding, Malin & Goetz bath amenities and state-of-the-art bath fixtures. With a nod to its storied past, each room contains unique artifacts found during renovation. That includes a 1870’s hand-blown green glass medicine bottle and a decorative parasol top cap that was carved out of bone.
“We wanted a constant reminder of the rich and varied history of the site ranging from a Catholic girls’ school to a Civil War hospital,” says hotel co-developer Lance Jaccard from OTJ Architects. “We loved the idea that a guest could stay in any of our 65 rooms and never see the same artifacts.”
Visitation’s piece de resistance is Wye Oak Tavern from brothers and Top Chef stars Bryan and Michael Voltaggio, who were raised in Frederick. Wye Oak Tavern is actually a homecoming for the brothers who, for the first time, are jointly opening a restaurant tougher in their hometown. Not only is the locally sourced cuisine and uniquely crafted cocktails a standout, the restaurant itself, set in the former chapel, is just as pleasing. With a balcony, columns and sky high ceilings, the bar is elegantly sandwiched between stained glass windows. And nature-themed paintings from local artist Jenny Wilson add to the allure.
Visitation is first hotel in Frederick to open in half a century. And Wye Oak Tavern is particularly meaningful to Bryan Voltaggio. “This restaurant is very special. It’s the first restaurant that my brother and I are opening together in our hometown where we first started our careers 30 or more years ago at a small hotel,” says the James Beard semifinalist who serves signature dishes like goat cheese ravioli and his speciality reuben made from smoked beet pastrami, gruyere cheese and funnel cake.
“The building is amazing, with architecture from that time period with large ceilings, lots of natural light. People don’t build things like this anymore,” he says. “We wanted to preserve those details. And they basically let us build a place that would be conducive to a restaurant that we felt was needed in downtown Frederick and the entire region.”
Jeryl Brunner: What appealed to you about opening the restaurant at Visitation Hotel?
Bryan Voltaggio: I knew this was going to be an important project for downtown. There has not been a hotel in 50 years. For me it’s always about being able to be a part of peoples’ life events. That is what I love about restaurants. I had a celebratory restaurant in Frederick with [my restaurant] Volt. And now, having the event space, I can be a part of somebody’s most amazing day which could be a wedding, milestone birthday or big corporate event. I can cook for a lot more people and be a part of special occasions having this entire food and beverage operation in this hotel.
Brunner: In the Washington Post you said that Wye Oak Tavern is “the missing piece.” Why is that so?
Voltaggio: It’s a missing piece for a lot of things. My brother and I as partners. We have opened our first restaurant together in our hometown. It’s also a missing piece for Frederick. Fredericktonians can have different levels of a food and beverage experience. They can sit at the bar and have a drink or they can come have dinner. Or they can stop at Acorn Provisions there and just grab a coffee on their way to work. We want this to be a community space with a restaurant in a building that people are proud to have as part of their community.
Brunner: You have worked and created restaurants around the country and opened your own restaurants. What inspired you to open Wye Oak Tavern in Frederick with your brother, Michael?
Voltaggio: My family was raised here. And my wife and I are both from here. Frederick has been a part of our entire lives and we are proud to be a part of transforming the city and downtown Frederick.
Brunner: What are some of your favorite things to do in Frederick?
Voltaggio: I love being outdoors. We are close to the Watershed trails. We like riding bikes. Just north of us are covered bridge trails. I have a small little farm where I grow my own food for my house and the restaurant sometimes. There is so much to see and do. Also, I’m a private pilot. So in my spare time, I like to fly around the area and seek out new food.