Updated:
July 18, 2007
he display of flags from throughout the world is a long-standing tradition at the Mission Inn. Historic photographs of the Cloister Music Room and the Spanish Art Gallery show flags along the rooms’ walls. Like the grand, baroque castles of Europe, Frank Miller decorated the spaces with art, armor, tapestries, banners, and, the flags.
According to Frank Miller’s biographer Zona Gale, he often honored guests from foreign countries by flying their country’s flag at the Inn. It was not uncommon to hear the national songs of various countries sung in the Cloister Music Room. (Gale, 1938. p. 101).
Other forms of national symbols are on display within the hotel. The coats of arms of several countries are mounted onto the walls of the International Rotunda. Frank Miller established a tradition of flying foreign flags in the Spanish Court Yard. This tradition continues today. |
