Petula Dvorak

Petula Dvorak, a columnist for Retropolis at the Washington Post, delves into the bizarre events surrounding James Buchanan's 1857 inauguration. She uncovers the mystery of a gastrointestinal outbreak known as the National Hotel Disease, which struck Buchanan and over 400 guests. Dvorak explores the eerie conspiracy theories circling the illness and reflects on how it influenced presidential leadership. The tale also dives into the hotel's storied past, hinting at future connections to infamous historical figures like John Wilkes Booth.