John Chamberlin


John F. Chamberlin was a renowned American chef and restaurateur in the last quarter of the 19th century.

Biography

"Chamberlin's" restaurant in Washington, D.C., located on the southeast corner of 15th and I Street NW, was considered one of best and most expensive in the city. His lead chef Emeline Jones, an emancipated slave, was considered among the best chefs of her day. The restaurant was part of Chamerlin's hotel which took up three houses, which had previously been owned by Fernando Wood, Thomas Swann, and James G. Blaine.
Chamberlin also opened in April 1896 the "Hotel Chamberlin" on Old Point Comfort in Hampton, Virginia. It was a popular resort for the wealthy until consumed by a fire in 1920. A new Hotel Chamberlin opened in 1928, but was unable to capture the same level of glory is its predecessor. It remains in operation today as both a retirement community and hotel called "The Chamberlin".
Chamberlin was born in Lansingburgh, New York, and lived in New York City where he engaged in a number of businesses, and then moved in the 1870s to Washington. He opened "Chamberlin's" in 1880.
Chamberlin died in Saratoga Springs, New York in 1896, but his Washington restaurant remained in operation under 1906.