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Our History

Traditions at the Glen Resort
in Johnson City, New York

This historic site of this Johnson City, NY resort was built in 1919 as a private residence for Mr. Eliot Spalding, who was then treasurer of the Endicott Johnson Shoe Company. Several years later, it was purchased by the Kalurah Shrine to be used as a clubhouse for their new nine-hole golf course. IBM Corporation acquired the facility in 1935 to use as an employee country club; and in 1938 the company converted the building into a hotel for visiting customer executives who came to Endicott to learn how to use the growing line of data processing machines.



It was around this time that “The Homestead,” as it was known, was the site for a major sales convention. For several years during the summer, the grounds around the building were filled with tents that housed members of the IBM sales force who had achieved 100 percent of their sales goals. This select group became known as the 100 Percent Club. It was inevitable that the site for their conventions would be called “Tent City.”

Many notable figures of the era spent the night in the Johnson City, NY hotel: Dwight D. Eisenhower, Eleanor Roosevelt, Werner Von Braun, nuclear physicist Ralph Lapp, Opera Stars Lili Pons and Lawrence Tibbett and author C. Northcote Parkinson. Noted golf figures of the day that came to play in various tournaments were also guests at the Homestead Mansion: Ben Hogan, Patty Berg, Sam Snead, Alice and Marlene Bauer and teaching pro Bobby Troski. Bing Crosby also participated in several tournaments.

During the ensuing years, several additions were necessary to accommodate expanding business needs. The building was used as lodging for IBM’s marketing students, who came to Endicott from around the country to perfect their marketing skills. IBM turned the Johnson City, NY hotel into classrooms, offices and conference rooms with furniture and equipment in keeping with modern teaching methods. The classrooms housed IBM Management/Professional Development and Programming Education Department. The building also contained a mini-cafeteria as well as banquet facilities for 160 people. No longer needed for classrooms and training, IBM closed the doors of the beautiful Homestead building in 1995.

In 2004, the Homestead Development Group purchased the property from IBM. A major renovation and expansion of the mansion was undertaken, with breathtaking results. Retaining the Old-World charm, grace and history of the mansion while updating its functionality for the 21st century led to the elegant Johnson City, NY resort you see today. The existing banquet hall was expanded and renovated, creating a stunningly beautiful and elegant ballroom capable of hosting up to 300 people. The library was converted into both the fully-functional tavern and its adjoining Spalding Dining Room. The classrooms were renovated and refurbished into beautifully decorated hotel rooms and suites. The Watson Suites (the area where Mr. Watson stayed when in Endicott) were transformed into three period-themed, elegant and exclusive enclaves for the discerning traveler. The Homestead Mansion at Traditions Resort in Johnson City, New York is truly a work of art, and is now back in the committed hands of a prominent local family with deep roots in the community.

To learn more about Traditions at the Glen Resort, please browse our website or call 607-797-2381.

 
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Traditions at the Glen Resort and Conference Center

4101 Watson Boulevard, Johnson City, New York 13790 · (607) 797-2381 © 2005-2008 All Rights Reserved