[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 91 (Thursday, May 29, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E486]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING DOROTHY DRAPER & COMPANY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CAROL D. MILLER

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 29, 2025

  Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Dorothy Draper & Company on 100 years of business.
  Founded in 1925, it is the oldest continually operating interior 
design firm in America. Its founder and namesake, Dorothy Draper, was a 
trailblazer, starting her company at a time when most women did not 
seek employment. Her vision, love of color, chintz, and tendency 
towards the dramatic solidified her iconic style dubbed ``the Draper 
Touch''. Her protege, Carleton Varney, championed her work throughout 
his career, and the company flourished under his leadership, the 
creative genius and driving force who led the firm for 60 years. Mr. 
Varney went on to decorate the West Virginia Governor's mansion in the 
1980s, further solidifying ``the Draper Touch'' into the state's 
culture and history.
  The Dorothy Draper Company's work is especially important to my home 
state of West Virginia, where their most famous design is showcased, 
The Greenbrier Resort, affectionately called ``America's Resort.'' 
Located in White Sulphur Springs, the Greenbrier's legacy took a unique 
turn when it was converted into a military hospital to meet the demands 
brought about during WWII. It was then returned to a hotel and 
transformed into the unique and bold getaway we recognize today.
  The Greenbrier has hosted presidents, royalty, celebrities, and 
countless West Virginians and Americans since 1778. Dorothy's use of 
color and pattern was so distinctly `her' that her legacy lives on in 
her company and through those that she inspired.
  I am so delighted and proud to recognize co-owner Sebastian Varney 
and Design Director Rudy Saunders, and their company. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in congratulating them on a century of success 
and wish them many more to come.

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