page_title: Louise Sneed Hill
section_title: Denver society
hierarchical_section_title: Louise Sneed Hill / Denver society
caption_attribution_description: The Crawford Hill Mansion in Denver, Colorado
context_page_description: Louise Sneed Hill was a society leader in Denver, Colorado in the 19th century. She was the wife of Crawford Hill and daughter-in-law of senator and mining executive Nathaniel P. Hill. She created the first list of socialites in Denver, called the Who's Who in Denver Society, now called the Blue Book. She entertained with lavish parties and card games for an elite group called the Sacred 36.
context_section_description: Hill began her quest to remedy what she saw as a "social wasteland" and to become a member of Denver society, following and surpassing the footsteps of her mother-in-law. The Hills built Crawford Hill Mansion at Tenth and Sherman Streets in 1905. Hill invited who she considered to be the best of Denver's high society to play whist or bridge. The group was made up of an elite group of 36 women for 9 tables of four people. This group became known as the Sacred 36. Margaret Brown wanted to be part of the group, but never was invited because of her improper grammar and boisterous demeanor. She labeled Hill "the snobbiest woman in Denver". Later, when Brown became a national figure as The Unsinkable Molly Brown, following the RMS Titanic disaster, she was then let into the Hill mansion.
  Hill entertained in style, wearing haute-couture clothing, with the best people of Denver, the international set, and royalty. She used the best caterers and the best orchestras. Seeking publicity, she courted the journalists and sent gifts to those that wrote about her parties.
  [H]er whit, charm, and high society leadership commanded attention for fifty years. Louise's stubborn intent to lift a dusty, complacent cowtown to a high level of elegance obviously struck a chord in Coloradoans. During her reign there was glamour and fun, champagne and caviar, gossip and French couture. The champagne was more bubbly then, and the orchestra didn't stop playing at midnight.
  — Marilyn Griggs Riley, High Altitude Attitudes: Six Savvy Colorado Women
  She created the first published record of members of society in 1908 with the Who's Who in Denver Society. To be included on  the list, one must have money and know how to entertain. It has evolved to the Blue Book of wealthy people from Denver. She provided information, such as the proper hours for calling, rules for the calling card, the high tea, the wedding journey, and how to get into society.
  Hill traveled to New York City; Newport, Rhode Island;, and Paris. While in England, she was presented at the court of King Edward VII. She wore a satin gown embroidered with diamonds and had a red velvet cape trimmed in 14-karat gold. She became the first person in Denver to entertain a president when William Howard Taft visited. He was met by a red carpet, an orchestra, and Hill's sons wearing white satin suits. She was politically active, involved in Republican women's clubs. Her sons married and moved to Newport, where she visited them. She continued to travel to Paris, London, and New York City.
caption: Crawford Hill Mansion, Tenth and Sherman Streets, Denver, Colorado
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