Early 19th century souvenir from the Robert E. Lee Hotel, Winston-Salem, NC

This is truly a unique piece being offered, it is a souvenir piece from the Robert E. Lee Hotel in Winston-Salem, NC. It is shaped like an old matchstick book, but a little larger, measuring 3 ½” x 2”. Inside are separate pieces of tissue that would be used for “lipstick tissues”.

The Robert E. Lee Hotel was a gleaming 10-story symbol of Winston-Salem's boom time when it opened its doors in 1921. In the heart of downtown on Fifth Street between Cherry and Marshall streets, it was a local gathering place for dining, socials, and civic club meetings. It was also the main destination for out-of-towners. Among its famous guests were Ike and Mamie Eisenhower, Bob Hope, Ava Gardner, Frank Sinatra, and Joe DiMaggio.

The Robert E. Lee finally shut its doors in 1971. To many, its closure represented the changing pace of modern life. Early on the morning of March 26, 1972, police began cordoning off an area bounded by Fourth, Sixth, Trade and Spruce streets in anticipation of the hundreds who would flock downtown to see the demolition; 300 charges of dynamite brought the whole thing crumbling down, ushering in a new era that now incorporates two hotels and the Benton Convention Center (see pictures).

On July 12, 1974, the Hyatt House hotel opened on the same spot the Robert E. Lee once held. This is a very interesting piece and one I have never seen before.