greenbrier bunker tours prices

• Posts by Date
• Posts by Location
• Wine Travel Posts
• USA Travel Posts
• Upcoming Posts & Trips
• Sign-up for our Newsletter
• Meet Stephanie & Adam
• Our Mission
• Our Travel Bucket List
• Travel Gear for Your Trip
• Travel Insurance Guide
• Media & Site Activity
• Interactive Workshops

Hidden in Plain Sight: The Cold War Bunker Tour at the Greenbrier

“I hope you’re ready for a relaxing vacation,” our tour guide said with a grin as he swiped his badge, unlocking a heavy door. “Welcome to the Greek Islands!”

As the door swung open, we weren’t facing a week of rest and relaxation on the shores of some sun soaked beach. Instead, we were staring down a long, sterile corridor once built exclusively to protect and maintain governmental continuity during the Cold War. 5,000 miles from Santorini and Mykanos, we were starting a tour of the famous bunker at the Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

Our tour of the Greenbrier’s bunker began with a bit of a walk through the hotel, through bustling crowds that dissipated as we reached elevators that took us into its West Virginia wing. This is also where present day begins to fade into Cold War-era America. In the late 1950s, with growing concern that a nuclear war might be eminent, the U.S. government identified White Sulphur Springs as a solid contender to house a bunker for congress. The idea was that an attack on Washington would necessitate a safe place to relocate congress, including all 435 representatives and 100 senators, so government would not shut down during a time when we would desperately need leadership. Between 1959 and 1962, the bunker was built underground at the same time a well-publicized addition to the Greenbrier was built in the form of the West Virginia wing—effectively hiding the bunker in plain sight. The construction received the code name Project Greek Island to ensure its secrecy wasn’t compromised—hence our guide’s somewhat unconventional welcome.

While the bunker was in service, visitors to the Greenbrier would almost certainly miss it. One of the four entrances to the bunker is located where our tour got underway, in a large exhibition hall. Today, you can plainly see the huge, heavy blast door that would have closed to contain congress once they arrived by train from DC, but during the three decades that the bunker was active the door was hidden behind a screen that made it look like it was part of the wall.

Life inside of the bunker looked like it would have been bearable but unpleasant. In the dormitory, rows of bunk beds lined the walls, providing sensible accommodations for every member of congress as well as one aide or staff member per elected official. Health facilities stocked with medicine boasted the latest technology. Meals were served in a cafeteria, which to me was one of the more fascinating spaces; because it wasn’t large enough to seat everyone at once, the floors featured a black and white checkerboard tile that was supposed to be slightly disorienting, hopefully discouraging people from sitting too long at tables in order to have a steady rotation of people coming and going during meal times.

For thirty years, the bunker sat ready but empty, as workers regularly tested water quality and communications systems. Because its intended inhabitants could arrive at any moment, refrigerators and pantries were constantly stocked with fresh food. Every few days, the food would rotate up to the Greenbrier’s kitchen to make room for a new delivery, thus ensuring nothing was wasted. These processes stayed in place until 1992, when a Washington Post article by Ted Gup threw open the bunker’s doors to the public and revealed the secret location and purpose to the world. Once the article was published, it no longer made sense to keep the bunker operational; it was decommissioned soon after.

History is full of secrets and surprises, and touring the bunker at the Greenbrier places you right inside of a very interesting chapter in American history.

Having taken the tour twice, each experience was unique because each tour was peppered with different stories and accounts of how the bunker came to be and stayed at the ready in case it was needed. If you haven’t heard of the Greenbrier bunker tour—or the Greenbrier Hotel—it’s a terrific trip to make and well worth the drive.

Greenbrier Bunker Tour: Take This Trip

• As of February 2017, tours are $34 for adults and $17 for kids (ages 10-17) excluding taxes. Children under 10 can’t take the tour (it’s a lot of walking and talking, so most kids wouldn’t enjoy it, anyway).
• The tour is very popular with hotel guests and visitors alike, so make reservations in advance! Popular times, especially during warmer months, are likely to sell out!
• Cameras are not allowed on the tour, so be prepared to surrender both cameras and cell phones when you check in for the tour. Your belongings will be locked away and safely monitored, but you won’t leave with any pictures of your experience.
• The Greenbrier is a fully functioning hotel and resort, so take advantage of one of the onsite restaurants for lunch before or after your tour. Away from hotel grounds, your dining options will be a bit more sparse, so plan accordingly.
• The bunker is, at points, thirty feet underground, and it can get a bit chilly. Take a sweater to ensure you stay comfortable.
• Get an early start and add a winery or two to your itinerary! Coming from DC, you’ll pass by some great wineries as you drive on Interstate 81. Consider taking a morning tour of the bunker and spending your afternoon debriefing all your learned over a glass of wine. If you’re looking for recommendations, a few of our favorite Virginia Wineries won’t be too far off your path!
• One of our favorite “hidden gems” in Virginia is on the way to the Greenbrier! Stop by Covington, Virginia to see the Humpback Covered Bridge . Built in 1857, it’s the oldest covered bridge in Virginia and it makes a great place for a brief stop on your way to the Greenbrier.

More Information: Greenbrier.com/Bunker-Tours

Are you planning a visit to see the Greenbrier Cold War Bunker? The Greenbrier Resort has plenty of rooms, but they are a little higher priced than most hotels. For good reason, it’s a beautiful resort full of amenities and fun activities for visitors.

If you are looking for something a little more affordable, the town of Lewisburg, West Virginia is only 10 minutes west of the Greenbrier and you’ll find plenty of hotels to choose from. Here are a few deals to consider.

Want to learn more?

Here is a short video with additional footage and stories about this fascinating Cold War-era bunker under the Greenbrier.

Related Posts

The United States has a lot of interesting places to visit! Discover a few more through these articles!

Vint Hill Farms Station

Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello

7 Civil War Battlefields Near DC

West Virginia’s Haunted Hospital

Share This!

This website requires JavaScript for some parts to function properly. Your experience may vary.

• Popular Searches
• Bunker Tour
• Itineraries

Visitors Guide

Bunker Tour at The Greenbrier Resort

Did you know the U.S. Government sought The Greenbrier resort’s help in preparing for a Cold War attack on the nation’s capital?

Sure, The Greenbrier is best known for decadence and a certain joie de vivre, but it also ranks high on the list of favorite destinations of historians and biographers. Known as America’s Resort™, its history has paralleled our nation’s history as far back as 1778. But some of those parallels remained clandestine until relatively recently.

Yes, there are secrets hidden just behind The Greenbrier’s grand walls! We’re talking real secrets, as in classified government ops that stayed secret until 1992 when a Washington Post journalist unearthed the truth.

PROJECT GREEK ISLAND

It sounds like the stuff of movies, but it’s true. In 1958 during the Cold War at the height of nuclear panic across the United States, Project Greek Island was underway at The Greenbrier in quiet, little White Sulphur Springs, WV. At the behest of the Eisenhower Administration, a U.S. Government Relocation Facility was being built beneath what the public thought was simply an addition to the hotel proper. The addition, the West Virginia wing, was a cover-up. In reality, a concrete-encased fallout shelter was being buried 720 feet underground. It was intended to withstand an indirect nuclear attack and house all the members of Congress as well as a support staff of hundreds.

For more than 30 years, the bunker beneath the hotel remained the best-kept secret in West Virginia. That is until reporter Ted Gup broke the story to the world. Immediately the location was decommissioned, and over the next three years, the U.S. Government disentangled itself from The Greenbrier resort.

What’s a resort to do with a declassified bunker buried beneath its guest rooms and tennis courts? Give tours, of course!

THE BUNKER TOUR

Today, the story of how the bunker was constructed and maintained is preserved behind the 25-ton steel and concrete blast doors that for decades remained hidden by a façade of Dorothy Draper wallpaper. Whether you’ve booked a stay at The Greenbrier or you’re just spending the day, you can schedule a 90-minute underground tour of this former U.S. Government Relocation Facility we simply call “The Bunker.”

The tour covers details of the facility’s clandestine construction including secret communications between the U.S. Government and Greenbrier executives. You’ll learn about the cover company, Forsythe Associates, a TV repair business, operated by Pentagon experts poised to take command in the event of a nuclear attack.

Astonishingly, the bunker was outfitted and prepared for activation at a moment’s notice. Everything from food, clothing, medical care, and outside communications were kept at the ready from 1961 until 1992. Your tour guide explains how all this was accomplished. During the tour, you also have an opportunity to peruse a museum of artifacts leftover from the active site. The bunkrooms lined with metal-framed bunk beds are a shocking departure from the luxurious suites 60-feet above. It’s unsettling and amazing all at once.

Gup may have put it best in the last line of his story that ran in the Washington Post on Sunday, May 31, 1992: “For 30 years, [The Greenbrier’s] guests have come to play golf, to be massaged, to bathe in the restorative waters of the mineral baths, while some of the men who repaired their televisions and brought them movies made all things ready for a darker world after this world.”

BUNKER TOURS

To learn the rest of the story -- and believe us, you'll want to -- reserve your spot on the tour. Tickets are $47 for adults and $24 for youth 10 – 18. Keep in mind the minimum age is 10.

You are now signed up for the Greenbrier Valley e-newsletter!

Expect to see us in your inbox about once or twice a month.

Greenbrier Valley enews

Join the Greenbrier Valley enews, and stay connected with the latest news and happenings... with a few extra perks only for our subscribers!

The Bunker Tour at The Greenbrier

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

The Bunker Tour at The Greenbrier - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

THE GREENBRIER RESORT BUNKER TOUR

Monday, November 28th & Wednesday, November 30th

2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, & 4:00 PM 

The declassified Bunker at The Greenbrier is a must-see experience that takes you behind the scenes and walks you through a fascinating period in the resort's history. Carved deep into the mountainside beneath the West Virginia Wing is an emergency Cold War fallout shelter. Once a top-secret U.S. government relocation facility for Congress, The Bunker is now open to anyone interested in reliving a legendary piece of The Greenbrier history. It has been featured on  NBC, FOX, Discovery Channel, History Channel, VICE, ABC  and top publications from around the world. Bunker Tours provide a unique and in-depth look behind the hidden doors and let you explore an aspect of The Greenbrier that no other resort can claim.

• Approximately 90 minutes in length
• 25 spaces/tour
• No one under the age of 10 will be permitted
• No cameras, electronic equipment or cell phones are permitted
• No items of concealment; backpacks, tote bags, purses, etc.
• Weapons of any kind are not permitted

The Greenbrier’s Bunker Tour

in 1962, a top-secret government bunker was completed deep underneath this White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia , resort. Today, visitors can tour the 12,000-square-foot facility. 

Since 1778, The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, has been known as one of the nation’s pre-eminent luxury resorts, a place where both U.S. presidents and foreign dignitaries have gathered to enjoy the landmark’s elegant public spaces and experience epicurean dining.

What’s not so well known is that in 1962, a top-secret government bunker was completed deep underneath the resort’s West Virginia Wing, a huge 112,000-square-foot facility that was intended to be used as a fallout shelter for members of the U.S. Congress in the event of a nuclear war. It was maintained in readiness until 1992, when it was decommissioned after an article in The Washington Post revealed its existence to the world.

Now members of the general public, not just those staying at the resort, can take a 90-minute tour of this sobering Cold War relic. Entering through one of the massive doors built to protect against a nuclear blast, visitors 10 years and older can view the rows of metal bunk beds where members of Congress would have slept, the spartan cafeteria where they would have dined and auditoriums where the Senate and House of Representatives would have carried on their duties. The bunker’s hospital facilities, broadcast center and huge power plant can also be seen as part of the tour.

Perhaps most sobering are the decontamination chambers, where arriving Congress members would have been scrubbed down before being issued military-style fatigues, and an incinerator that would have disposed of garbage, classified documents and even human bodies had that gruesome eventuality arisen.

Be advised that the highly popular bunker tours frequently sell out many days in advance, making a three-week advance reservation highly recommended. After the tour, head upstairs to enjoy a carriage ride on the resort grounds or happy hour at the luxurious Twelve Oaks cocktail lounge. 101 Main St. W., White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia 24986, 855/453-4858, greenbrier.com

Story: Rich Warren Issue: Fall/Winter 2023

• Historic Sites
• Hotels & Resorts
• West Virginia

recommended

Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate

Explore the life of Speaker of the House and U.S Senator Henry Clay in Lexington, Kentucky, at an estate preserved by his children and grandchildren.

Madahoki Farm

This Indigenous farm in Nepean, Ontario , offers a glimpse into the lives of the region’s Native people by providing insight into their culture as well as the chance to see Ojibwe Spirit Horses. 

Mark Twain Study and Gravesite

The author behind The Adventures of Tom Sawyer did much of his work in  Elmira, New York , in this octagonal study now located on the campus of Elmira College. 

National Corvette Museum

The Corvette earned its place in history as the first American sports car. That rich legacy is showcased today in  Bowling Green, Kentucky .

The Clemente Museum

Roberto Clemente left his mark on Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania , as a player for the Pirates baseball team and as a humanitarian. His legacy lives on at this attraction that shares his story. 

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Learn about the legends of the genre at this Nashville, Tennessee , attraction where names like Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Reba McEntire and Garth Brooks are honored.

popular tags

• State Parks & Forests
• Pennsylvania
• Sponsored Content
• Restaurants
• National Parks & Forests

The Greenbrier Bunker Tour: Essential Tips to Know Before You Go!

• Post author: Rachel Means
• Post last modified: 2023-10-25

Hidden beneath a luxury resort in the mountains of West Virginia lies one of the best kept government secrets of the Cold War: a nuclear fallout shelter for Congress!

This top secret facility remained updated and ready, and completely hidden from the public, for decades until a Washington Post journalist exposed it in the 1990s.

Today, you can visit The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, WV and take the Bunker Tour to learn all about this crazy-but-true story!

We added it to an Eastern US road trip, but it’s also a good day trip option from New River Gorge National Park.

Here’s everything you need to know before you go on The Greenbrier Bunker Tour.

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and associate of other programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means if you click a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Table of Contents

A Secret Bunker Hidden Beneath a Luxury Resort…

The Cold War was dominated by uncertainty, and the US government decided it needed a backup plan to ensure the smooth continuation of running the country in the event of a nuclear attack.

So, they built a secret bunker for Congress under a popular luxury resort in West Virginia.

The Greenbrier has been around since 1788, tucked away in the Allegheny Mountains . It’s been a favorite luxury resort for the rich and famous for centuries.

When President Eisenhower approached the resort about disguising the development of a secret bunker under the construction for the resort’s new West Virginia wing in 1958 , the owners were only too happy to oblige.

Construction and maintenance was done in such a way to limit the number of people that knew of the bunker’s existence. Most of The Greenbrier staff had no idea it was there.

The Greenbrier Bunker was maintained and updated in secret for more than 30 years until an enterprising Washington Post journalist uncovered the secret in the 1990s and exposed it to the world.

With the location revealed, the bunker had to be decommissioned.

Today, it’s a unique historical landmark, a rare physical reminder of the unseen dread that permeated society and dictated serious decisions during the Cold War.

Getting to The Greenbrier

The Greenbrier Resort is located in White Sulphur Springs, WV, just off of I-64, very close to the West Virginia/Virginia state line.

There’s no way around it: you have to drive to get to here. You won’t find any urban centers with convenient airports close by.

It’s a 4 hour drive from Washington, DC or Charlotte, NC. The closest cities of any size are Roanoke, VA or Charleston, WV, a 1.5 hour or 2 hour drive, respectively.

Most visitors come to The Greenbrier to escape cities for a relaxed, outdoor setting. One thing this area is great at is outdoor recreation.

The resort is about 2 hours from the southern entrance of Shenandoah National Park or an hour and a half from the New River Gorge Bridge and the northern end of that national park and preserve.

We highly recommend adding The Greenbrier Bunker Tour as a stop on a broader road trip through the region. Try our 7 Day Eastern USA Road Trip or make your own!

What to Expect on The Greenbrier Bunker Tour

The Bunker Tour at The Greenbrier is a 90 minute, guided group tour through the once top secret area built to shelter both houses of Congress in the event of an emergency.

The tour begins in one of the front lobbies at the hotel, reveals one of the hidden entrances inside the resort, and then continues through the secret bunker’s spaces, like the blast door, decontamination chambers, living spaces, and working spaces.

They even purposely made some of the resort décor a bit nauseating near the secret entrance to the bunker, so resort guests would feel uncomfortable and leave the area.

History fanatic or not, this is a fascinating tour straight out of a dystopian novel , except it was a real emergency measure implemented during the Cold War.

Many alive today can still remember the hint of doom lingering over everyday life, but the younger generations that didn’t live it can better appreciate the preparedness that went into assuming you could be hit by a nuclear weapon at any moment.

Rather than spoil the tour with a room-by-room account of what you’ll see, we’ve instead included some important things to know before you go on The Bunker Tour .

The Greenbrier Resort is fancy !

Prepare to be blown away by the resort itself before you even get to your tour. This is a luxury, upscale resort with all the fancy trimmings.

The entire resort is walled off and private. The front entrance is gated. They’re all about privacy, which comes in handy when you’re also concealing a bunker that can house the entirety of Congress.

The drive up to the lobby is immaculately landscaped . Depending on the time of year you visit, you’ll be greeted by either an impressive blooming flower display or a giant, decked out Christmas tree.

You’re greeted by valets and doormen when the shuttle drops you off at the front door. Inside, every square inch has been thought out and decorated.

The bright colors of Dorothy Draper’s designs are a bit much for some people, but take a moment to appreciate the marble floors and plush carpet you’re walking on, the paintings you’re casually walking past, and the little touches like writing tables.

Is There a Dress Code for the Greenbrier Bunker Tour?

You don’t have to wear anything super fancy for the tour. In fact, comfortable walking shoes are encouraged for the Bunker Tour.

The Greenbrier does have a dress code , but it’s not as ominous as it sounds. It’s mostly for dining and evenings, and so guests don’t walk around in nothing but swimsuits.

Resort casual usually means a collared polo shirt for men, blouses for women, and bermuda shorts or pants for all. No ripped, torn, or cut-off clothes. Steer clear of political or offensive apparel. No ballcaps.

We visited in November and wore dark jeans (no holes or rips), tennis shoes, and t-shirts under lightweight jackets.

We don’t normally stay in places this luxurious, so we were impressed by the attention to detail. We also felt a bit underdressed at first.

But once we met the other guests on the tour, that feeling went away. At least half of our group were dressed in similar, relaxed clothing like us. There were some in impeccable resort casual, too, so either way is fine.

No electronics, bags, or photos allowed.

The Bunker has been decommissioned and declassified, but that doesn’t mean it’s giving away all its secrets just yet.

There’s a very strict no bags, no electronics, and no photos policy.

They have lockers at the beginning of the tour where you store your cell phone, purses, etc. If you don’t feel comfortable leaving these items in a locker, then don’t bring them with you to the tour.

Some of the space in the former bunker is now rented by private companies for server storage, among other things, I’m sure.

This is the primary reason for the security measures. It’s not just another government cover up!

Lots of walking but not a lot of stairs

The Bunker Tour information page specifically calls out the dress code as “comfortable shoes” because you’re on your feet and walking for the majority of the 90 minute tour.

The good news is there aren’t many stairs! A few spots throughout the tour provide a chance to sit down while your guide explains more about the room you’re visiting.

Greenbrier Bunker Tour: Practical Info & FAQs

• Cost: $40 per adult, $20 per kid ages 10-18
• Duration: about 1.5 hours
• Reservations required: Call ahead to reserve your spot. Tour times vary by day and guide availability. No online tour reservations.

>> Can I Do the Bunker Tour If I’m Not Staying at The Greenbrier Resort?

Yes, absolutely! Call ahead to reserve your spot. (No online reservations unfortunately.) Then, the resort will send you directions for where to park, how to get to the resort, and where to meet up.

When we day tripped here as part of our bigger eastern US road trip , we parked at the train depot, a resort shuttle bus took us to the front entrance, and we rendezvoused with the tour group in one of the front lobbies.

>> Are Private Bunker Tours Available?

Yes, at a price. You’re essentially buying out a timeslot to book a private tour.

Therefore, the cheapest private tour option is $900 for a tour time before 5PM. After 5PM, the price and mandatory gratuity increase.

You’re still allowed up to 25 people on a private tour, so costs could be split amongst yourselves if you’re trying to guarantee your whole group is on one tour time.

>> Can Kids Come on the Greenbrier Bunker Tour?

Yes, ages 10+ are welcome.

>> Will Kids Get Bored on the Bunker Tour?

Depends on age and interests. I haven’t met a kid yet that thought moving an enormous blast door by themselves was boring.

The history might go over younger kids’ heads, but the guides try to make it interesting for them nonetheless. Tweens and teens will get a kick out of the “latest technology” displayed in the bunker.

The Greenbrier Bunker Tour: A Fun Road Trip Stop Worth Your While

If you’re in the area of White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia or you’re passing within detour distance on a road trip, we highly recommend this unique stop!

The Greenbrier’s Bunker Tour reveals a fascinating piece of American history, perfect for breaking up a long drive as a stepping stone to your next destination.

Here are some more resources for an epic Eastern USA Road Trip that can easily accommodate a stop at The Greenbrier.

• 7 Day Eastern USA Road Trip Itinerary – Six States in 7 Days!
• 9 Useful Tips & Tricks for Driving Blue Ridge Parkway
• Is Visiting The Blowing Rock Worth It?
• Fun Things to Do in Little Switzerland, NC: A Blue Ridge Parkway Town
• How to Spend One Day in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
• A Gettysburg Self-Guided Driving Tour: Tips, Tricks, & Hacks!
• Exploring Antietam National Battlefield in an Afternoon
• Fun Things to Do in Harpers Ferry, WV
• 7 Short & Easy Hikes in Shenandoah National Park
• Touring Appomattox Court House – See Where the Civil War Ended!

Happy travels!

About the Author : Rachel Means

With six-figure student loan debt and only 10 PTO days per year, Rachel started traveling the world. A decade later, she’s paid off her loans, changed careers, and been to 36 US states and 14 countries. She’s an expert at planning and budgeting for travel and loves to help others do it, too! Read her full story here.

You Might Also Like

Is There a Ferry from Honolulu to Maui? Not Anymore. Here’s What to Do Instead.

Upper vs Lower Antelope Canyon: Which is Best to Visit?

Why You Need an Annual America the Beautiful Pass: Save Money Visiting America’s National Parks

Virtual Roadtrip: The Greenbrier Bunker Tour

May 26, 2020 | South , Tours & Experiences

30 Years of Secrets Hidden in Plain Sight

Stop #22 on our Virtual Road Trip is the Greenbrier Bunker Tour ! The luxurious Greenbrier is a destination hotel in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia. The hotel was built in 1913, with 743 well-appointed rooms and 96 guest estate homes. The resort includes restaurants, unique shops, championship golf, a spa, and more than 55 activities to enjoy during your stay. If that’s not enough, a 103,000 square-foot gaming and entertainment venue opened in 2009 in the lower level of the hotel.

This is a similar description of the property that was published until 1992, when a Washington Post reporter discovered the previously classified “Project Greek Island.” In the 1950’s in the middle of the Cold War, the Greenbrier was chosen by the U.S. government to house a destination for Congress to seek shelter in the event of a nuclear war. Construction on the bunker was finished in 1962. Today, the 90-minute tour takes you 720 feet into the hillside as you explore a maze of underground rooms, including chambers for the House and Senate, dorms, a power plant, clinic, cafeteria, and more.

Did You Know? At the time, only a few people knew of the Greenbrier bunker’s existence— most members of Congress would never have been told until the onset of the emergency.

Travel Tip: Tickets can be purchased in advance or the day of your tour at the concierge desk. You may want to leave your cell phone in your room— they are not allowed on the tour and will be collected and stored until you leave the bunker. The tour isn’t cheap, but where else are you going to find a bunker with a 25-ton blast door?

Following the Connection

The bunker was built for 525 members of the government, all of whom have offices at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C. The Capitol is an architectural masterpiece and the tours are full of great stories and interesting facts. It’s also free!!

Next Stop: U.S. Capitol Building , Washington, D.C.

Detour: The Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union lasted for over 40 years. The Cold War Museum is under development in Vint Hill, West Virginia. The Smithsonian Affiliate has raised over $3 million and will include a central hall with exhibits, a small theater, the main gallery, a picture gallery, library and study areas, and gift store. Check the website for updates on their progress and to view the online exhibits.

• Plan Your Trip

The Greenbrier is located in White Sulphur Springs , West Virginia, which has been a tourist destination for centuries. Since the late 1700’s, people have traveled to the area to enjoy the “healing” powers of the springs. The Greenbrier is a destination resort, so you really don’t need to leave the property; however, one of our favorite small towns, Lewisburg, West Virginia, is just 10 miles away. Here are some recommendations from the travel desk at Check-it-Off Travel to consider while planning your trip.

Photo: The Greenbrier Resort

Where to stay.

The Greenbrier Resort Historic General Lewis Inn The Escape, Lewisburg

Where to Eat

Livery Tavern The French Goat The Humble Tomato

Related Posts

Wild & Wonderful Country Fest

South , Music

A Celebration of Appalachian Life and West Virginia!! When: August 21 – 22, 2020 Where: ...

A Day in Lewisburg, WV

Blog , South , Small Town Spotlight

Lewisburg is a charming small town nestled in the Greenbrier Valley of West Virginia. We think ...

About Check-it-Off Travel

We are a Stamford, Connecticut-based travel advisory service focused on assisting individuals and business professionals with travel ideas and curated itineraries for US travel. Our database is organized exactly the same as our online travel guide and consists of over 100,000 items to consider on your next trip. We can also share with you over 10,000 major annual events that take place in over 2,500 cities and small towns across the country. Our goal is to match your travel style, interests, and budget to an amazing US travel experience.

• Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Privacy Overview

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

• 203-698-5560
• [email protected]

Request a Sample Itinerary

• First Name *
• Last Name *
• Phone Number
• Autumn Weekend in Southwest Colorado
• Experience New England
• Family Summer Vacation
• San Francisco Business Trip
• Phone This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Museums & Historic Sites

• When visiting a major city, don’t shy away from a museum even if you’re not a museum buff. The collections at major museums have so much more than paintings that you will still enjoy your visit.
• Balance is ideal when traveling. Make sure to consider some of the smaller museums in the area.
• Check the museum website before you visit. Take the museum highlight tour or a behind-the-scenes tour. These usually only last an hour and often become a favorite part of our clients’ visits.

Nature & Wildlife

• Nature centers and nature preserves are very affordable and provide excellent learning opportunities for all ages. Most centers have a wide range of activities and animal exhibits and are located near a nature preserve.
• Wildlife sanctuaries exist to protect animals and habitats. Here, animals canroam freely in a natural environment. Many wildlife sanctuaries are home to rescued and rehabilitated animals.
• Wildlife viewing areas offer views of migrating birds or animals feeding in the wild. Most of the viewing areas are seasonal. Check with the property before visiting.

Points of Interest

• Spend the day in a small town. Combine a scenic drive with a small town experience, add in a stop at a distillery or winery, and find Main Street for unique shopping and dining options.
• There are many amazing landmarks across the U.S. Look into tour options. Plan your trip so that you are not visiting during a peak time to allow for more enjoyment and less crowds.
• Landmarks will often hold special events throughout the year. For instance, there might be an open house or special tour on the first Saturday of every month. Do a little research and check local event calendars.
• There are more than enough options when it comes to tasting rooms and tours. However, many of the popular breweries, wineries, and distilleries have limited capacity. A reservation might be required, especially on the weekends.
• Research the location. If there is an onsite restaurant, enjoy a meal with your beverage. Don’t shy away from brewpubs. Many of them have excellent reviews and menus filled with options.
• If you decide to spend a day tasting, make sure you have a designated driver or a professional tour guide. Where there are vineyards and tasting rooms, there are many tour options with built-in drivers.

Distilleries

Theaters & music venues.

• Purchase your tickets before your trip. Save money on fees when you buy tickets directly from venues.
• Plan a road trip around a summer music festival. It’s a great way to see many fantastic bands perform, all at the same venue.
• Most major cities have a theater district or fine arts center featuring theatrical productions, ballets, symphonies, and opera. Check the local entertainment websites to see if anything interests you.
• Don’t shy away from staying at a casino resort if you don’t gamble. The top casino operators attract gaming guests with their excellent services, great restaurants, live entertainment, and amenities that aren’t available at the average resort hotel.
• Due to their size and amenities, casino resorts attract conventions. It can be underwhelming to stay at a resort when 99 percent of the guests are there for business and you’re there for pleasure. Check with the hotel about ongoing events before you book.
• You may be able to get discount tickets to shows, attractions, and other entertainment options through your hotel. Check with the concierge if there are any perks for overnight guests.
• Lodging is one of the most significant expenses of any trip. Consider the total cost as you budget your trip don’t forget about parking and other daily fees. There are many perks to staying in a hotel located close to major attractions and public transportation.
• Before booking your lodging, determine the amount of time you will be in the hotel. This should be a major factor when choosing a property.
• Destination hotels and resorts can offer enough activities to fill an entire weekend. Think about planning a day to explore the hotel and take advantage of the amenities and activities included in your daily rate.

Restaurants

• Consider a quick stop at a coffee shop or bakery in the morning if you have a long day of exploring ahead. Getting a quick start will help you avoid long lines. Eat an early lunch to stay ahead of the crowds.
• Breakfast buffets and full-service fine dining can break your travel budget. Don’t shy away from quality food but look at all your options if you’re trying to avoid overspending.
• If you are a foodie, research the “must try” eateries along with new spots earning rave reviews. We will let you know if there is a James Beard award winning restaurant in the area.
• Expect an abundance of independent retail stores in our curated list of small town shopping destinations. For instance, if you are visiting a village settled by Swiss immigrants, there are sure to be Swiss gift shops selling remarkable products imported from Europe.
• We encourage you to purchase something local on each of your trips. You will have built an impressive collection of items and memories after a few years of traveling.
• Store hours vary by the day of the week and time of year. Don’t expect stores to be open every day in the off-season. Your best bet is to use part of the weekend to shop in between sightseeing.

Tours & Experiences

• Book a history tour of the city or town you’re visiting for the first day you arrive. You will learn about the area, get the lay of the land, and learn valuable local knowledge from your tour guide.
• With so many tour options to choose from, sometimes the adage “You get what you pay for” is accurate. Check online reviews before booking the tour.
• Confirm the tour company’s name, meeting time and location, and the travel time to arrive at the meeting point. All too often tours are missed due to a misjudgment of travel time or unexpected traffic en route. Aim to be early.

Religious Sites

• Visit a historic cemetery and learn more about the gravestones. Take a guided tour to discover prominent figures interred on-site. Visit a historic cemetery and learn more about the gravestones.
• States that border Mexico have architecturally significant and truly amazing missions. Depending upon your interests and schedule, you can take a self-guided tour or book a guided tour of one or more mission complexes.
• Most places of worship have guided tours available on the weekends, typically in the afternoons. Spend an hour learning about an iconic place of worship to immerse yourself in the history of the building and its members.
• Stopping at a landmark is the perfect reason to take a break from driving and stretch your legs. Spend a little time outside the car snapping a few photos before resuming your travels.
• The landmarks we feature are typically open during daylight hours from sunrise to sunset, unless they are in a park or managed area.
• There are many landmarks in major cities, especially historically significant ones. You can easily spend an entire day just visiting famous landmarks.

Let’s Keep in Touch!

Receive a custom itinerary featuring lodging, attractions, restaurants, unique shopping, tours and experiences that suit your travel style and budget.

Each itinerary will include additional options to consider while traveling. You will not have a shortage of things to do, places to eat and lodging choices.

The final itinerary will be available in both downloadable format, as well as loaded into your daily calendar for quick reference while traveling.

If we make reservations for you, all confirmations and important details will be attached to the itinerary.

Premium Travel Planning

(includes all Custom Travel Features and these added Concierge)

Concierge service available from 7am EST to 7pm PST.

Daily travel assistance for Check-it-Off Travel clients.

Quickly change your existing custom itinerary.

Assist with new reservations during your trip.

Work with you to alleviate any stress caused by travel delays.

Get the Hottest Deals First!

Historical greenbrier, about this tour.

This grand historic tour features a two-night stay at The Greenbrier, a classic American resort in the mountains of West Virginia. Relax and unwind on the iconic property while enjoying fabulous dining and traditional pastimes and exploring the storied past of this luxury escape. Be ushered through America’s eras: Enjoy a tavern meal along roads well-traveled, visit Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, step back in time at Colonial Williamsburg, explore a Smithsonian, and more. Experience the grandeur of The Greenbrier amid the West Virginia mountains and explore American history throughout Washington, D.C. and Virginia on a fascinating journey.

Your Tour Includes

• 4 Handpicked Accommodations

Included Highlights

• Smithsonian Museums
• Twilight Monument Tour
• Arlington National Cemetery
• Greenbrier Bunker Tour

Your Tour at a Glance

7 Breakfasts

1 - Light & Leisurely

Travel Style

Activity Level

• Level This Tour

For specific details about this tour's activity level and other info to know before you book your trip, click here.

Extension Style

Travel styles, highlights and inclusions.

Must-See Inclusions:

Spend two nights at The Greenbrier, America’s Resort.

Visit a Smithsonian museum of your choice in Washington, D.C.

Cultural Experiences:

Explore the formerly-secret bunker hidden under The Greenbrier.

Enjoy day and twilight tours of DC’s iconic monuments and memorials.

Stroll the grounds of historic Colonial Williamsburg.

Culinary Inclusions:

Enjoy lunch at a colonial tavern.

Spend two evenings dining amid The Greenbrier’s grandeur.

• Tavern Lunch
• Choice on Tour: American History or Black History Tour of Richmond
• Colonial Williamsburg
• Mount Vernon

Book with Confidence

* With Insurance Purchased

• *No Hassle Refunds
• Traveling Well Safety
• No booking fee, *no change fees
• Top Rated Travel Protection

Share This Tour

Looking to add your itinerary for friends and family? Share your Itinerary

Getting Prepared

Know before you go, travel tips, enhance your tour.

Pre and Post Night Stay

Unique Experience

Cultural Experiences

Enhance Your Trip

• Tour Extensions

Hotel-Omni Shoreham Hotel

Accommodations

Arrive earlier.

Pre Night: Omni Shoreham Hotel From $150 per night

Omni Shoreham Hotel

The Greenbrier, America's Resort

Hilton richmond downtown, stay longer.

Post Night: Omni Shoreham Hotel From $150 per night

Need More Information?

We're here to help

Call us toll free at 800.340.5158

Related blog content, fascinating facts about the greenbrier resort, america's music cities tour just got an upgrade, keep the summer spirit alive with collette’s season 106 sale, awe-inspiring alaska: beyond cruising, let the national parks of utah pull you in, quick tips for spotting the northern lights in finland, alaska, and iceland, similar tours.

Canyon Country featuring Arizona & Utah

Islands of New England

Pacific Northwest & California featuring Washington, Oregon and California

America's National Parks & Denver

National parks of america.

Spotlight on New York City

Not seeing the date you want? We can help!

Call our Customer Care Team to inquire about dates beyond what's currently listed and to make an advanced reservation. You can find our full terms and conditions here .

Request a Quote

Please fill out the form below, and a Collette Expert will contact you shortly.

• Yes, I'm a Travel Professional
• Yes, I am working with a Travel Professional
• I am traveling with 8 or more travelers

Find a Travel Agency

Once you've found the perfect Collette tour, your local travel agent can assist you in making reservations. To find a preferred travel agent in your area, please enter your 5-digit zip code, then click Search.

Enter a Whole or Partial Zip Code

Please tell us everything, we want it all.

We really value your feedback, please be open an honest. Tell us where we can improve, how we can get better. This feedback is anonymous, but if you would like us to get in touch with you regarding an issue provide your email address as part of your feedback and we will get right back to you.

Talk to an Expert

View or download.

• Skip to main content
• Skip to secondary menu
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Nutty Hiker Adventures

Hike Every Hike Like It Is Your Last

The Greenbrier – Project Greek Island – The Bunker

June 13, 2023 by Nutty Hiker Leave a Comment

Did you know that there is a former top secret government relocation facility (aka bunker) at The Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia?

History of the Greenbrier Resort

Staying at the greenbrier, touring the greenbier, greenbrier photo gallery, project greek island – the bunker, history of “the bunker”, bunker tour information.

Opened in 1778, The Greenbrier – America’s Resort (formally known as the White Sulpher Spring) is located on 11,000 acres with a guest list that includes 28 U.S. Presidents, countless celebrities, sports figures, business leaders, and even royalty.

In fact, when I visited, the San Fransisco 49ers were there (yes, the entire team). I am a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan, so their being there didn’t impress me much =)

Originally, guests would come to “take the waters” at White Sulpher Spring to restore their health. It wasn’t long before prominent figures made their way to The Greenbrier to escape the summer heat and humidity.

During the Civil War, The Greenbrier was closed down and both sides used the grounds as either a military hospital or headquarters.

After the Civil War, in the early 1900’s the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway purchased the historic resort property and added The Greenbrier Hotel, a new Mineral Bath Department, and an 18-hole golf course.

In 1914, the White Sulpher Spring was renamed to The Greenbrier and was opened year around.

The U.S. Army bought and transformed the hotel into Ashford General Hospital. At this 2,000-bed medical facility, 24,148 soldiers received surgical and rehabilitation care over four years before it was reacquired by the C&O Railway.

The 1950s is where The Greenbrier’s history gets fascinating. The U.S. government asked the Greenbrier to construct an Emergency Relocation Center, known as Project Greek Island.

For a more in-depth history, see their website .

Want to feel like a celebrity for a night, you can book a room and at the time of publication, the cheapest room I could find was $408 a night (before all the added fees and taxes). They also have a dress code, just FYI.

The Greenbrier does offer over 55 different activities , and has its own retail shopping center, casino, restaurants, world-class golf course, spa, and what seems to be a million other amenities. It’s like its own little city.

Can’t afford to stay a night? No worries, you can do a self-guided tour, eat in their restaurants, and spend money in their shops. No reservation required =). See pictures from my visit below.

I had such a wonderful time capturing these images. The inside of The Greenbrier is just absolutely stunning. It was like stepping back in time. Everything is just so elegant. You can quickly tell why it is so popular with celebrities and the rich & famous.

It was so fascinating to be able to tour Project Greek Island. I wish I had photos to show you, but you are forced to put ALL of your belongings in lockers before the tour starts (yes, you even have to empty your pockets).

The only picture you can take is of the Blast door, a large steel and concrete door designed to withstand a modest nuclear blast from 15-30 miles away. If you look closely at the wall next to the door, there is a picture showing what it looks like when they would conceal it back in the day. You would never know there was a massive bunker door hiding there.

Project Greek Island was created for Congress to use as a safe haven during war and was built as an underground facility. The West Virginia Wing, an above-ground addition, was also constructed alongside the bunker to hide the construction.

It took three years to build The Bunker under the Eisenhower Administration and once completed it was maintained in a constant state of readiness by a small cadre of government employees who worked undercover for 30 years until 1992 when the project was terminated and the bunker decommissioned due to exposure by a Washington Post story .

Reservations are required and tours last approximately 90 minutes (oh and it is WELL WORTH IT!). You get to visit almost all areas of the Bunker as your tour guide gives you a very in-depth history lesson. I am not going to go into everything here, because you really need to experience it yourself. But, some of the areas you get to explore are the west tunnel entrance, power plant, communications briefing room, dormitories, dispensary/clinic, cafeteria/kitchen, and exhibit hall/meeting rooms.

Pricing Adults: $40 per person Youth (10-18): $20 per youth (children under 10 are not allowed)

Know Before You Go

• Maximum tour size is 25 persons.
• No one under the age of 10 is permitted.
• No cameras, electronic equipment, cell phones, items of concealment such as backpacks, tote bags, purses, etc., or weapons are permitted.  They do have shared lockers you can store your belongings in and by shared, I mean you have to share the locker with others in the group who may not be in your party.
• While there is a dress code for those staying at the hotel, the tour has no dress code. Comfortable shoes are recommended. If you plan on doing any other activities at the resort you will need to check the dress code for that specific activity.

Click here for more information and reservations or call (855) 453-4858.

Have you been to The Greenbrier and visited The Bunker? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think!

Reader Interactions

Leave a comment or suggestion cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

AWARDS/ASSOCIATIONS

Untold Stories of American History

Explore the lives of little-known changemakers who left their mark on the country

History | April 9, 2024

The Town That Kept Its Nuclear Bunker a Secret for Three Decades

The people of White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, helped keep the Greenbrier resort’s bunker—designed to hold the entirety of Congress—hidden from 1958 to 1992

Emily Matchar

Innovation Correspondent

West Virginia’s opulent Greenbrier resort has been a playground for princes and politicians since its opening in 1778. Nestled in the Allegheny Mountain town of White Sulphur Springs , the Greenbrier has expanded over the centuries, growing from a series of summer cottages to a palatial hotel surrounded by gardens and golf courses. So, when the resort broke ground on a new wing in late 1958 , no one was surprised.

But observant locals soon noticed something odd about the project. The hole dug for the foundation was enormous, and vast amounts of concrete arrived every day on trucks, along with puzzling items: 110 urinals, huge steel doors. Guards were stationed outside.

Within weeks of the groundbreaking, it was clear to many that the new West Virginia Wing held far more than just guest rooms and conference facilities. But locals kept their suspicions private.

“Everyone just agreed to be in on the secret,” says Ann Tate Bell, who grew up nearby.

Thanks to this discretion, nearly 35 years passed before the rest of the country learned the truth: The Greenbrier’s West Virginia Wing sat atop a nuclear bunker  buried 720 feet underground. Inside, behind a 25-ton blast door, stood a living and working space equipped to hold every single member of the United States Congress. The hideout boasted more than 1,000 bunk beds, a 400-seat cafeteria, individual auditoriums for both the Senate and the House of Representatives, vast water tanks, and a trash incinerator that could serve as a crematorium.

Government officials chose the resort as the bunker site because of its isolated location, long relationship with the nation’s political elite and proximity to Washington, D.C. (about a four-hour drive away). The Greenbrier was, in the words of the Washington Post , “the ultimate congressional hideaway.”

Trish Parker, a lifelong resident of western Greenbrier County, says the bunker was the definition of an open secret. “People wondered about it to their husband, their wife, their brother—but they weren’t going to wonder about it to anyone else,” she says. “They just didn’t talk about it to outsiders.”

It’s hard to imagine such a secret being kept today, but the late 1950s were a very different time. Construction of the bunker—code-named Project Greek Island —began during the Cold War and was completed in 1962, the year of the Cuban missile crisis . At this point in the conflict, ordinary Americans viscerally feared the threat of a Soviet attack. People built bomb shelters in their backyards and stockpiled Spam and Geiger counters. Elementary school students practiced “ duck and cover ” drills. (“What are you supposed to do when you see the flash?” asked Bert the Turtle in a popular civil defense filmstrip. “Duck and cover!” the children shouted, curled up turtle-like under their desks.) World War II, with its “Loose Lips Sink Ships” posters, wasn’t long in the rearview mirror .

“People were afraid,” says Trish, who now works part-time at the Greenbrier, giving public tours of the bunker facility. “They didn’t want to know too much.”

In Greenbrier County, this secrecy runs deeper than the Cold War. The Greenbrier was (and still is) by far the biggest employer in the area. Multiple generations of families worked there, often for life. This bred a sense of loyalty—and fear of losing the only good job you could likely get nearby.

“Their father worked there, their grandfather worked there, they worked there, their children were going to work there,” says Trish. “There was the feeling that what was good for the Greenbrier was good for Greenbrier County.”

“It was a family thing,” says Christy Parker (no relation to Trish), whose great-grandmother started working at the Greenbrier as a young widow in the late 1800s. Christy grew up in White Sulphur Springs and became a fourth-generation employee after college, eventually working her way up to conference services manager, organizing massive corporate expos at the resort. “I never went past that magical door,” she says, referring to the blast door that divided the Greenbrier’s public area from the bunker, which was hidden in plain sight behind floral wallpaper.

Peggy Boso, a retired teacher from White Sulphur Springs, used to babysit at the hotel. One night, just after the bunker was revealed in 1992, she babysat a senator’s children. The senator asked her if everyone in town had known the secret.

“I said, basically, ‘Yes, but nobody ever talked about it because it was a way of putting food on the table,’” Boso recalls.

Loyalty and discretion didn’t always keep children from talking, though. Margaret Clay Hambrick, secretary of the Greenbrier Historical Society , grew up in Greenbrier County in the 1950s and 1960s and heard rumors about the bunker at school. “I remember thinking, ‘OK, that’s great for them, but if a nuclear bomb explodes on top of the bunker, all of us here are toast,’” she says.

Local parents were quick to warn their children against loose talk. Bell’s father ran the Greenbrier Valley Airport, a few miles from the resort. The airport was extended when the bunker was built, using dirt dug from the enormous foundation hole. Bell’s father had a government security clearance, which he took very seriously. One day, during construction, Bell’s brother, who was 8 or 9 at the time, was riding bikes with his friends around the building site. They spotted a fancy new elevator being put in, and their eyes widened. One of the construction workers noted their excited faces and offered them an elevator ride. The boys were thrilled.

“At dinner that night, my brother was telling us, and my father was horrified,” Bell recalls. “Finally, he said, ‘This is top secret—you should call your friends in, and I will give them the same lecture I’m giving you. This must never be mentioned.’”

Robert Conte has spent some four decades as the Greenbrier’s official historian, arriving at the resort in 1978. He immediately sensed that something was off about the West Virginia Wing.

“When I got there, reading about it, I remember thinking, ‘Why did it take them three years to build a three-story building?’” he says. “The whole thing seemed odd.”

Conte became close friends with Fritz Bugas , manager of Forsythe Associates, the audiovisual company that serviced the resort’s televisions. It was strange, Conte thought, that while all other Greenbrier workers, from electricians to cooks to plumbers, were employees, the Forsythe staff were contractors. He was right to be suspicious: Forsythe was a dummy company, and the workers’ real job was maintaining the bunker over the years.

In early 1992, a Washington Post reporter named Ted Gup stopped by the Greenbrier. Gup had received an anonymous tip about the bunker and was looking for answers.

“One of the most memorable moments of my life was [Gup] coming and putting a tape recorder on my desk and saying, ‘I’m here to talk about what’s under the West Virginia Wing,’” Conte says.

Conte, who still didn’t know the truth himself, gave Gup the official line: Rumors had always circulated about the Greenbrier, but they were just that—rumors.

“Of course, Gup didn’t believe a word I said,” Conte recalls, laughing.

The Washington Times scooped the Post , publishing a story about the bunker on May 29, 1992. Gup’s exposé appeared two days later in the Post magazine. “The Greenbrier was different in that it relied more on the element of secrecy than on any mountain of rock to shield it from incoming bombs,” Gup wrote . “Yet despite the discretion of the resort staff, the existence of some kind of hidden government installation there was widely known.”

When the truth came out, few people in the area were surprised at the bunker’s existence, Conte says. But they were surprised to discover that it was intended for Congress. Most had believed it was for the president. (John F. Kennedy, for his part, had two bunkers : one on the island of Nantucket in Massachusetts, near the Kennedy compound , and the other on Peanut Island , close to the president’s vacation home in Palm Beach, Florida.) This had given the Greenbrier convenient cover over the years: Staff could simply deny that the resort was home to a secret presidential facility.

“That was a secret within a secret,” Conte says. “Nobody thought it was for 1,100 people. That was the real jaw-dropper.”

Many locals were angry, even furious , with Gup and the Post .

“It was a point of pride to have it there, to have that little bit of mystery that no one else in the country knew about,” says Trish. “And then when someone who they considered an outsider came in and revealed it, they felt very betrayed.”

In a statement , congressional leadership expressed “regret” at the Post ’s decision to publish the piece. “It was always clear that if the secret of the facility’s location were to be compromised, the effectiveness and security of the program would be jeopardized, if not terminated,” the leaders said.

The anonymous tipster who first alerted Gup to the bunker’s existence has never been publicly identified. But Conte understands them to be a person in the federal government, who didn’t like that money was being spent to maintain a nuclear bunker in the post-Cold War era. When the story came out, politicians did indeed come under fire, not only for spending taxpayer dollars on an outmoded bunker but also for the very idea of saving Congress while ordinary citizens were left out in the cold.

Declassified shortly after the exposé, the bunker opened for tours in 1995. The first people to tour it were Greenbrier employees, who received the opportunity as a quiet thank you for their discretion. More than 30 years later, tours of the site—now overseen by the Greenbrier’s owners rather than the government—remain incredibly popular with the public.

When Trish leads tours, one of the most frequently asked questions is whether more remains hidden: a new bunker, a deeper room, something yet unrevealed.

“It would be lovely if there was,” she says, “a little mystery. But there’s not.”

Get the latest History stories in your inbox?

Click to visit our Privacy Statement .

Emily Matchar | | READ MORE

Emily Matchar is a writer from North Carolina. She's contributed to many publications, including the New York Times , the Washington Post , the Atlantic  and many others. She's the author of the novel In the Shadow of the Greenbrier . 

The Bunker Tour at The Greenbrier

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

The Bunker Tour at The Greenbrier - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

Ready to Book? 410.442.6872

• One-Day Bus Tours
• Multi-Day Bus Tours
• Cruise Vacation Packages
• Fly Vacation Packages
• View All Tours
• Solo Travelers
• 2024 Vacations Catalog
• Sign up to Receive Our Vacation Catalog
• Departure Locations
• Tour Protection
• Refer-A-Fried & Earn Rewards
• Policies & Information
• Tour Directors
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Gift Certificates
• COVID-19 & Travel

Greenbrier Resort Holiday

Treat yourself to this world-class resort that has hosted 26 U.S. Presidents, celebrities and royalty from around the world!

• Detailed Overview
• Tour Itinerary
• Accommodation Information
• Pick-up Points
• Departure Dates

Trip Duration:  3 Days

Meals Included:  2 Breakfasts

Tour Director:  Yes 

Highlights Include:

Spend 2 nights at Greenbrier Resort

Enjoy the following activities while at the Greenbrier Resort:

Afternoon Tea - A true Greenbrier tradition, afternoon tea has been offered daily in the upper lobby since the 1930s. From 4:15 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., guests are invited to relax and enjoy a complimentary assortment of teas and cookies.

Enjoy a tradition at The Greenbrier: a complimentary champagne toast nightly at 10:00pm featuring a signature dance choreographed to "The Greenbrier Waltz."

Tours and/or slide show presentations of the Historic Hotel (does not include the Bunker) are daily at 10:30am.

Visit the President's Cottage Museum - The Greenbrier has been host to 26 U.S. presidents. The memorable moments from their stays are on display at The Presidents' Cottage Museum, housed in a historic two-story building overlooking the Springhouse. These archives contain documents dating back to The Greenbrier's early history.

Fitness Center

Indoor Pool

For additional activities including reservations and daily calendar visit:  http://www.greenbrier.com/activities

Dinners are not included in the price of this trip.

Dining options include the Main Dining Room, The Forum and Prime 44 West (Reservations and proper dress required). Drapers, The Pizza Shoppe and In Room Dining, reservations are not required.

Casino Club

Described as Monte Carlo meets Gone with the Wind, the Casino Club at The Greenbrier combines high-roller thrills and high-class style to create an unforgettable Greenbrier gaming experience. Their 103,000 square-foot venue is filled with world-class gaming at its finest, including the FanDuel Sportsbook, which allows visitors to place wagers on their favorite sporting events around the world. Enjoy live entertainment, international cuisine and boutique shopping in an elegant setting that revels in the warmth and charm of southern hospitality.

Package includes $20.00 Free Slot Play per person. Must be 21 years of age with ID to receive package and enter casino.

Important Dress Code Information: 

-Before 7:00pm: Resort attire (collared sport shirts, sweaters, slacks and walking shorts). If denim is your attire preference, only well-kept denim in a dark shade is appropriate.

-After 7:00pm: Jackets are required for gentlemen.  If denim is your attire preference, only well-kept denim in a dark shade is appropriate. The following are not permitted: Men's hats and baseball caps, jeans, shorts and t-shirts.

Package includes a nightly champagne toast at 10pm (featuring the Greenbrier Waltz) in the Casino Club and $20.00 Free Slot Play per person. Must be 21 years of age with ID to receive package and enter casino.

The resort is Non-Smoking.

Need to Know: 

All meals and activities (such as the Spa or Bunker Tour) have an additional 6.5% historic restoration fee. Dinner Reservations are required for Main Dining Room, The Forum and Prime 44 West. Call 855-453-4858 (option 1) for reservations.

Dress codes for Dining: Main Dining Room: -For Day; Resort Casual dress is appropriate. -For Dinner; Jacket and tie required for men; dresses or evening suits for ladies. Children 10 and older are required to wear attire similar to that of adults. No Denim.

Prime 44 West: Business casual, jackets suggested. Well-kept denim in a dark shade.

For other restaurants within the Greenbrier, Drapers, The Pizza Shoppe, etc; Resort casual attire. Reservations are not needed/required. Bunker Tours can be reserved prior to arrival at an additional cost.

The declassified Bunker at The Greenbrier is a must-see experience that takes you behind the scenes and walks you through a fascinating period in the resort's history. Carved deep into the mountainside beneath the West Virginia Wing is an emergency Cold War fallout shelter. Once a top secret U.S. government relocation facility for Congress, The Greenbrier Bunker is now open to anyone interested in reliving a legendary piece of The Greenbrier history. Bunker tours provide a unique and in-depth look behind the hidden doors and let you explore an aspect of The Greenbrier that no other resort can claim. Reservations are required and are highly suggested as this is a very busy time of the year for tours. Call 855-453-4858 for reservations.

Eyre has a select quantity of wheelchair accessible motorcoaches available; therefore, we suggest you contact a Travel Advisor to discuss any needs you may have before reserving your trip.

Departure Times: 7:45am Ellicott City @ Long Gate Park & Ride 8:30am Silver Spring/Rockville @ Georgia Avenue Park & Ride 8:45am Silver Spring @ Leisure World Clubhouse II 9:45am West Falls Church, VA

Travel to White Sulphur Springs, WV Lunch on own en route Two overnights at the Greenbrier Resort (Check in time is 4pm) Dinner on own Visit the Casino Club within the Greenbrier Resort (Dress Code Requirements after 7pm)

Breakfast included at the Resort Enjoy the facilities at the Greenbrier Resort Lunch on own Dinner on own Visit the Casino Club within the Greenbrier Resort (Dress Code Requirements after 7pm)

Breakfast included at Resort Check out 10am Travel home Lunch on own

Return Times: 4:00pm West Falls Church, VA 5:30pm Silver Spring @ Leisure World Clubhouse II 5:45pm Silver Spring/Rockville @ Georgia Avenue Park & Ride 6:30pm Ellicott City @ Long Gate Park & Ride

Subject to Change

Check boarding pass for final times

Greenbrier Resort, White Sulphur Springs, WVA

On 6,500 acres in White Sulphur Springs, WV, The Greenbrier has earned the AAA 5-Diamond award each year since the award's inception and was named Resort of the Century in 1999.

For over 65 years, The Greenbrier has carefully maintained their distinctive look celebrating luxury, elegance and history in every detail.

As a National Historic landmark, The Greenbrier's classic architecture, exquisite interior design, carefully sculpted landscape, impeccable service and outstanding amenities have hosted distinguished guests from around the world since 1778.

During the holiday season, The Greenbrier is transformed into a winter wonderland, with incredible decor throughout the resort.

With more than 55 activities on an 11,000 acre playground, there is something for everyone to enjoy! Indoor and outdoor activities are equally plentiful.

Enjoy the warmth and refreshment of the indoor pool offering year-round recreation amidst lovely canopies and colorful furnishings. The Olympic-size pool was remodeled in the late '40s by Dorothy Draper.

Enjoy the holiday magic at the Christmas Shop at the Depot!  Evoking memories of Christmases past, the shop glitters with a fairy-tale beauty. Discover hand-blown ornaments by Christopher Radko, nutcrackers by Christian Steinbach, elves and carolers by West Virginia artist Sharlene Wass and much, much more!

Guestrooms include hair dryer, iron/board, coffee maker and Greenbrier Mineral Spa Toiletries.

Guests must provide a credit card upon check-in for incidentals.

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

It is not possible to display the map. This may be due to Google Maps not being supported in your browser.

Pick-up Point Times

There are currently no departures available on this tour.

The website timed out while searching for the departure dates. Please try again.

Keyword Search

Inside US Congress's 720ft-deep nuke bunker under West Virginia hotel

• Project Greek Island was a secret bunker under the luxurious Greenbrier Hotel 
• Government employees posed as hotel staff to keep it stocked with supplies
• A 1992 news story blew the government's cover, and it was decommissioned 
• READ MORE: Why the world's billionaires are building bunkers and fortresses  

The Greenbrier Hotel has long enjoyed a reputation as Washington DC  elite's favorite vacation spot.

But it is also the location of a secret bunker that can hold the entire US Congress.

The luxury hotel located in Sulphur Springs, West Virginia , concealed an emergency bunker hidden 750 feet below the surface that was developed in 1958 specifically for US politicians to take shelter in the event of a nuclear attack.

False walls in the hotel concealed 25-ton blast doors, which led to the steel-reinforced concrete bunker that featured 1,100 beds, a briefing room and intensive care unit.

The Government Relocation Facility, codenamed 'Greek Island,' was also stacked with a six-month supplies of food, water, and medicine.

It is not known if Congress has ever fled to the underground bunker, but it was decommissioned in 1992, allow the public to walk through what was called 'The Last Resort.'

In the midst of the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union, the threat of nuclear war felt very real, and politicians were serious about ensuring that they survived if that should happen.

READ MORE:  What do they know? World's billionaires are building bunkers

The world's wealthiest have increasingly spent hundreds of millions on securing underground compounds, private islands and (for the merely rich) 'survival condos.' 

And what better place than the gorgeous resort hotel in the New River Valley - complete with golf courses and top-of-the-line suites. 

The US government had already bought the resort from the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad in 1942 to intern Axis diplomats during World War 2. 

And so began the Greek Island Project's bunker. 

The sprawling subterranean facility contains everything that would have been needed to support life in the wake of a nuclear attack.

Monumental doors would keep occupants safe from nuclear fallout, blasts, or invaders. 

Some were hidden behind wallpapered interior walls, while larger ones for vehicles were concealed behind false doors. 

Chemical decontamination showers inside entrances would wash away radioactive fallout as people sought refuge in the bunker.

Spartan living quarters, a far cry from the luxury hotel 720 feet above, were furnished with little but metal bunkbeds and tiny lockers.

A briefing room with rows of green velvet chairs was set up for surviving politicians to address the nation on TV in the event on an attack on American soil.

A medical clinic was set up to care for any health issues that came up, and an operations room with small arms and communications equipment was there to keep occupants safe.

At the time of its construction, rumors flourished among residents of the small West Virginia town, even though it was technically a secret project. 

Local companies were contracted to excavate a mystery hole next to the luxe hotel and pour endless truckloads of concrete down it - an estimated 4,000 loads totaling 50,000 tons.

Contractors were reportedly told that cost was not an issue, and their overages were always approved.

Supervisors gladly paid fines for overloaded cement trucks, and contractors even bought extra trucks to meet the monumental demands of the 2.5-year construction project. 

Cranes delivered massive vault-style doors that had been assembled offsite, adding to the air of mystery around the secret project. 

One weighed 20 tons, and another weighed 28 tons.

Once the gigantic doors were put in place, guards stationed at them ensured that no unauthorized people entered.

Inside, the bunker was being outfitted with meeting rooms, bathrooms, dormitories, and a health clinic.  

The dormitories were decidedly prison-like: Metal bunkbeds held narrow mattresses, and lockers were shared.

'All they had for private items that you could lock up were a small drawer, right underneath the beds, you could put your personal items in here,' Greenbrier's official historian Bob Conte told NPR . 'For 30 years, every one of these 1,100 beds was assigned to somebody.' 

The project was so huge, it was impossible to keep it a total secret, despite the government's best efforts.

When Conte started his job in 1978, he was pelted with questions from locals.

One thing people wanted to know about was why there was a 7,000-foot landing strip in the little town of White Sulphur Springs, which had 3,000 residents.

In 1962, the Greenbrier had paid $90,000 for the strip to be extended to that length, fueling local curiosity and gossip. 

At one point, the government dispatched two undercover agents to mingle with locals and soak in the rumors.

These two, who posed as hunters, had not been briefed on the project. But once they collected all the knowledge that locals had on it, they knew so many real details about the classified project that they had to be given Top Secret security clearances. 

But the speculation eventually died down.

Even though locals may have had some inkling that there was a secret bomb shelter or something near the hotel, nothing really came of it.

The grass grew back, trees took root, and in time there was little sign that it had ever been a construction site. 

Under the guise of electronics repair staff at the hotel, government employees kept the bunker freshly stocked with supplies over the years. 

Then in 1992, Washington Post reporter Ted Gup published a story on the secret hideaway.

Interviews with construction workers and government officials showed just how big the project had been - and how real the threat of nuclear war had felt back then. 

Once the story came out, the US federal government quickly decommissioned the bunker. Its cover had been blown.

Over the next three years, they cut their ties to Greenbrier.

After a two-year renovation, the facility opened to public tours in 2006. You can visit it for $47 for the public tour.

• TV & Film
• Say Maaate to a Mate
• First Impressions - The Game
• Daily Ladness
• Citizen Reef

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories , we're happy to send you some reminders

Click ' OK ' then ' Allow ' to enable notifications

Chilling reason why hotel resort has a secret bunker which could house 1,000 people

The greenbrier in west virginia isn't just your average hotel.

Olivia Burke

When you check into a hotel knowing there is a secret underground bunker which can fit up to 1,000 people underneath it, you might sleep a bit sounder - although you better hope you don't need to use it.

Nowadays, the sprawling shelter is regarded as a nice perk that comes with staying at the super swanky resort situated near White Sulphur Springs in West Virginia , which could come in quite handy during a crisis .

But it's also a very interesting tourist attraction which welcomes visitors from all over the world , thanks to its extraordinary past and riveting origin story.

With 1,000 beds to sleep in, a cafe to dine at, a hospital and a broadcast centre all crammed behind a 25-ton blast door, the bunker underneath The Greenbrier has everything you might need if things go sideways.

But this secret hideout below the surface of the luxury hotel wasn't built for any ordinary Joe to hunker down in, but rather all of the US ' lawmakers - and a personal assistant for each of them.

The existence of it only came to light 32 years ago when The Washington Post reporter Ted Gup wrote an article about it, so locals were left pretty shocked when they found out there had been a nuclear bunker on their doorsteps all this time.

Covertly constructed from 1959 to 1962 with a 'cut-and-cover' style method, the fortress beneath The Greenbrier was built to house all the members of the United States Congress in the event of an emergency at the height of the Cold War .

The government got in touch with the high-end hotel for assistance in creating the bunker, which had the code name 'Project Greek Island', through fear that officials might need to shelter if a nuclear holocaust unfolded.

The building work was cleverly disguised by the erection of the West Virginia Wing, an above-ground addition to the hotel, meaning no one had a clue about its presence.

Upon completion, the 112,544 square-foot bolthole made out of reinforced concrete was stocked up with loads of supplies, although thankfully none of the 535 members of Congress ever had to use them.

The bunker boasts decontamination chambers, an intensive care unit, auditoriums as well as a communications briefing room, so that officials could at least try and run the country from there if they needed.

The Greenbrier bunker's broadcast centre was also equipped with large changeable seasonal backdrops so members of Congress could pretend they were broadcasting from Washington and that everything was under control.

Now a National Historic Landmark, it's existence only came to light in 1992 and the government immediately decommissioned the bunker as soon as it became public knowledge.

These days, the sprawling hidey-hole is used as a data storage facility for the private sector, but us ordinary folks can finally step foot in there too.

As it's no longer veiled in secrecy, The Greenbrier allows visitors to tour the declassified facilities, known as The Bunker, to enjoy an 'unforgettable' journey through the corridors and chambers of one of America’s most closely guarded Cold War secrets.

Topics:  History , US News , Politics , World News , Weird

Olivia is a journalist at LADbible Group with more than five years of experience and has worked for a number of top publishers, including News UK. She also enjoys writing food reviews (as well as the eating part). She is a stereotypical reality TV addict, but still finds time for a serious documentary.

@ livburke_

Choose your content:

Six signs you're a borderline alcoholic and need to cut back as Brits get ready for summer

Without realising, you might be on the edge of consuming a little too much.

Employees burst into tears after boss announces they'll be gifted £8 million worth of bonuses

St. john's properties in the us gifted its employees thousands of dollars each.

Brits warned over potentially fatal 'laughing gas' bottles being delivered across UK

Possessing laughing gas to get high became a crime last year.

McDonald’s flipped iconic 'golden arches' upside down to make powerful statement

Maccies' logo is one of the most recognisable in the world.

• Woman makes mind-blowing discovery on why all Greek statues have tiny penises
• Warning not to visit Paris catacombs as woman tells chilling story about people who live underground
• Inside eerie tomb where humans were sacrificed for chilling reason
• Moment space junk thrown from ISS narrowly misses child after crashing through house

‘I cant focus on anything but rage.’ Pro-Palestinian protests roil elite Pomona College

• Show more sharing options
• Copy Link URL Copied!

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian students doubled down on protests at Pomona College Thursday as the elite liberal arts campus is roiled by an intensifying Israel divestment campaign that even harsh disciplinary action against protesters has not deterred.

The demonstrations come less than one week after the campus was rocked when riot-gear-wearing local police arrested 19 people who had occupied the college president’s office.

“It is the worst on campus that it has been in a while,” said Ken Wolf, a history professor who has taught at Pomona for nearly four decades and seen activism from rallies against South African apartheid in the 1980s to racial justice demonstrations of recent years.

“There is a new generation of students who are protesting more aggressively and anonymously — masked and fully covered up — for their beliefs and there is an administration trying to deal with how to respond that many feel has gone overboard,” said Wolf, who is the chair of faculty.

Protesters Thursday gathered outside the Honnold/Mudd Library on campus of the Claremont Colleges, many wearing face masks, sunglasses and keffiyahs or other head-coverings to disguise their identities, some banging on pots and pans while others held signs that read “stop funding genocide,” and “stop the repression of pro-Palestinian voices.”

20 Pomona College protesters arrested after storming, occupying president’s office

The protest started over the college’s dismantling of a piece of student-erected pro-Palestinian protest art on campus, which had been standing since March 28.

April 7, 2024

One by one, students who were arrested last week addressed the crowd and emphasized their desire for divestment.

“I’m supposed to be completing a thesis right now, but I can’t focus on anything but rage since Friday,” one said.

For months, pro-Palestinian activists have called on administrators to divest college endowment funds from corporations tied to Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip and the occupation of the West Bank. The Thursday demonstration was one of several events this week across Claremont Colleges — a consortium of five undergraduate and two graduate colleges where Pomona is the oldest.

At Pitzer College on Thursday, rallygoers called for a boycott of academic programs with Israel, including institutional partnerships. Recently, the college ended an exchange program with the University of Haifa, a request pro-Palestinian activists have made for several years. Pitzer administrators said low enrollment and other factors — not protests — prompted officials to remove the exchange from a “pre-approved” study abroad list.

The Pitzer College Council, which includes students, faculty and staff, voted 48 to 19 on Thursday in favor of an academic boycott of Israel. Later, Pitzer College President Strom C. Thacker released a letter to the campus saying he would veto the measure because “I do not support an academic boycott of any country.”

The campus climate has become most tense at Pomona, where opposition has grown toward President G. Gabrielle Starr as she struggles to balance policies that support protest and free speech against campus safety concerns and increasingly aggressive protest tactics. The demonstrations have escalated since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, which killed about 1,200 people and took hundreds hostage. Israel’s retaliatory war has killed more than 33,000 Palestinians and left 2 million in near-famine conditions.

The tensions at Pomona, with just under 1,800 undergraduates and a 7% admittance rate, is the latest in a series of incidents at high-profile colleges and universities in the U.S. Administrators have recently clamped down on demonstrators at Columbia, Vanderbilt and Cornell universities, saying pro-Palestinian student activists have violated student policies over trespassing and other matters.

The ongoing protests have elevated fears among some Jewish students who say the college has become an unwelcome place.

“Are student activists exporting the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to a small town in California? How will that help bring about just peace in a land thousands of miles away?” said Bethany Slater, the director of the local Hillel, who said she has fielded calls and emails from distraught Jewish students.

“It’s not a safe space for Jewish and definitely not Israeli students, said Ayelet Kleinerman, a senior at Pomona who is from Tel Aviv and studies neuroscience. “I am all for freedom of speech. Everyone should say what they want, but I don’t feel the college is upholding its policies and rules when it comes to students and protest.”

‘Please leave!’ A Jewish UC Berkeley dean confronts pro-Palestinian activist at his home

UC Berkeley professor Erwin Chemerinsky and his wife, professor Catherine Fisk, got into a heated argument with a pro-Palestinian protester during a dinner at their home.

April 11, 2024

Last week’s protest appeared to be the breaking point for Starr.

University officials said that when students from pro-Palestinian groups occupied Starr’s office and refused to give their names or college affiliation, she authorized a call to police, who arrived in riot gear and arrested 19.

All of those students now face misdemeanor trespassing charges, and the seven who were from Pomona have been suspended pending an internal judicial review. Some have called on Starr to resign. They are also staging die-ins and walkouts.

After two emergency meetings, two-thirds of the voting members of Pomona College’s faculty body supported a motion on Thursday demanding that Starr drop student suspensions and criminal charges. Many also spoke forcefully against calling riot police to the college ever again.

This week, 49 student admissions staff workers — the majority of the student staff — also sent a letter to Starr’s office threatening to boycott giving admissions tours. Some students indicated they would continue to work because of financial need but would make clear to prospective undergraduates that “this institution suppresses student voices and is willing to deploy militarized police in riot gear on unarmed, peaceful student protesters.”

Starr has said pro-Palestinian student activists have interrupted and harassed tour groups. On the Pomona website, the university has defended her decision to call in police last week, citing “escalating acts of harassment and intimidation carried out against visitors and students by masked, unidentified individuals who refuse to identify themselves.”

In a statement last week announcing her plan to arrest students who did not disperse or identify themselves during the sit-in, Starr said protesters have been “actively destructive of the values that underpin our community.”

Starr, contacted through Pomona’s media relations office, declined an interview request for this article.

A representative from an independent campus watchdog group, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, suggested Starr’s actions are out of the ordinary.

“Students at private campuses tend to have wide free speech rights,” said Alex Morey, the foundation’s director of campus rights advocacy. “That doesn’t mean students can do anything, and there are guidelines — typically around amplification of sounds, safety, blocking entrances.”

“But usually there is not such a quick decision to call police or issue suspensions,” she said.

Israel-Hamas war roils UC over the line between free speech and unacceptable behavior

The Israel-Hamas war is roiling the University of California amid controversy over faculty political statements and the harassment of students.

Nov. 15, 2023

Students have targeted Pomona because it has the largest endowment of the Claremont Colleges — more than $3 billion — and is seen a trailblazer in the group of colleges. In February, the student body conducted a nonbinding vote on whether Pomona should disclose its investments and divest from Israel. Nearly 60% of students voted, and a significant majority of those who participated supported the proposals.

“There are many ways to help heal a broken world. This is not one of them,” Starr, who opposed the proposal, said at the time. She said the decision unfairly singled out Israel.

“We have tried every way we can since last semester to get Pomona to do the right thing, to stop supporting genocide,” said Kae, a Pomona senior who was a part of the Pomona Divest from Apartheid group arrested last week at Alexander Hall, which houses the president’s office. “Instead, they have militarized our campus with police against students who are mostly brown and Black,” said Kae, who is Black and Jewish. Kae did not want to use their last name because they were fearful for their safety.

It is unclear if or to what degree Pomona has investments in corporations involved in Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories or the war in Gaza.

In an interview, Jeff Roth, Pomona’s vice president, chief operating officer and treasurer, declined to reveal whether there are such investments, citing legal agreements with fund managers that prevent him from such disclosures. But, speaking broadly, Roth said that large endowments would likely have some investment in companies that the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, or BDS, movement against Israel has targeted.

“If we invest some our our endowment in an index fund of the S&P 500, we have a small piece of largest 500 companies,” he said, acknowledging that some of those companies have been targeted by the BDS for selling weapons and other military technology and equipment to Israel.

More to Read

UC regents debate stricter control of views on Israel and other topics on campus websites

March 21, 2024

After violent protest, controversial pro-Israeli speaker comes back to UC Berkeley

March 19, 2024

Violent protest at UC Berkeley triggers federal investigation into alleged discrimination

March 11, 2024

Start your day right

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

Jaweed Kaleem is a national correspondent at the Los Angeles Times. Based in L.A. with a focus on issues outside of California, he has traveled to dozens of states to cover news and deeply reported features on the complexity of the American experience. His articles frequently explore race, religion, politics, social debates and polarized society. Kaleem was previously based in London, where he was a lead news writer on Russia’s war on Ukraine and spearheaded European coverage for the Times, including the Global California initiative. Before joining The Times in 2016, he reported on religion for HuffPost and the Miami Herald, where he was a member of a Pulitzer Prize finalist team recognized for coverage of Haiti. His reporting has also received awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, the Society for Features Journalism, the Asian American Journalists Assn., the South Asian Journalists Assn. and the National Headliner Awards.

Caroline Petrow-Cohen is a 2023-24 reporting fellow at the Los Angeles Times. She is a recent graduate of Duke University, where she studied journalism, English and environmental science and policy.

More From the Los Angeles Times

UC Berkeley insider known for questioning the status quo is named new chancellor

April 10, 2024

Caught up in the FAFSA chaos? Some students now have a workaround

April 9, 2024

L.A. school district probes inappropriate images shared at Fairfax High. More AI abuse?

World & Nation

Biden proposes new student-debt relief. Here’s who would benefit

April 8, 2024