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The Nittany Lion Inn of Pennsylvania State University

History

Discover the Nittany Lion Inn, which has been warmly hosting University guests, including Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, since 1931.

The Nittany Lion Inn of the Pennsylvania State University was constructed amid the great economic calamity that affected most of the world during the 1930s. Nestled on Penn State's University Park Campus, The Nittany Lion Inn has watched over the college for over eighty years. When the Nittany Lion Inn opened in 1931, during the university's expansion to accommodate financially-challenged students, a stay in one of the 75 guestrooms cost around $3.50 for one night. Despite its low rates by today's standards, some of its first patrons thought this charge to be too expensive and later, the hotel lowered its prices in response to the complaints.

Staff lived at the hotel, including the maids, cooks, and managers. Bob Lee spent much of his childhood at The Nittany Lion Inn when his father managed the hotel until 1958. Among Lee's antics as a toddler, his mother’s favorite story included Lee running in the hall without his clothes only to be intercepted by none other than the Former First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, who had been staying at the hotel during her 1953 visit to the campus. Other famous guests of the hotel include President Eisenhower, Robert Frost, Louis Armstrong, and Danny DeVito.

The Nittany Lion Inn continues to be a meeting place for Penn State Alumni during reunions and game weekends, earning it the nickname "Penn State's Living Room" from the college’s twelfth president, Eric Walker.

a large white building with a garden and trees

Hotel Timeline

Penn State announced plans for a 75-room Colonial-style inn. The project was financed through a private loan of approximately $350,000 to address the shortage of quality accommodations near campus. Construction began in May 1930, near Rec Hall at the northwest corner of the University Park campus.

The inn began operations in the spring and formally opened to the public, with a dinner and dance attended by approximately 250 university trustees and faculty members. The original inn contained 75 guestrooms and could accommodate about 150 guests. Rooms initially cost approximately $3.50 per night, although rates were later lowered after some early guests complained about the price. The inn initially operated under the management of the Treadway Corporation, with hotel employees, including managers, cooks, and housekeepers, living on the premises.

The Nittany Lion Inn became a self-supporting arm of Pennsylvania State University. It later operated through the university’s Hospitality Services Department and provided practical experience for hospitality students.

A major expansion added an east wing with approximately 75 additional guestrooms, a grill, and a meeting room, bringing the property room count to roughly 150. Following the expansion, Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt stayed at the hotel during a visit to Penn State.

The father of Bob Lee, whose family lived at the inn during his management tenure, managed the hotel.

A substantial renovation added a 500-seat ballroom, meeting rooms, an exercise facility, expanded kitchen space, and more guestrooms. The main entrance was moved to the north side of the building.

The Nittany Lion Inn was inducted into Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The inn closed to regular hotel guests during the COVID-19 pandemic. Penn State temporarily used the building for student housing, while its conference rooms functioned as classrooms.

Penn State’s trustees approved the property’s sale to Scholar Hotel Group, beginning its transition from direct university ownership and hotel operation.

Scholar Hotel Group and Estate Capital Management acquired the Nittany Lion Inn and Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center. Scholar Hotel Group was founded by Penn State alumnus Gary Brandeis. The new ownership undertook an extensive renovation designed to modernize the hotel while preserving its Georgian character, historic charm, and connection to Penn State.

Following four years without normal hotel operations, the Nittany Lion Inn reopened to guests in September 2024 after extensive renovations and enhancements.

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Famous Historic Guests
  • Eleanor Roosevelt, American political figure, diplomat and First Lady of the United States.
  • President Eisenhower, 34th of the United States.
  • Robert Frost, American poet.
  • Louis Armstrong, American trumpeter, composer and vocalist.