Actor Martin Sheen visits Americus and stays at the Windsor Hotel

March 15, 2006

CONTACT: Christiane Grune

229-924-1555, Ext 109

windsor@bellsouth.net

On the weekend of March 10, 2006 the City of Americus had a pleasant surprise: actor Martin Sheen visited the city and stayed at the Windsor Hotel. The purpose of Sheen’s visit was to attend the Andersonville Revisited, a special weekend of living history events presented by the Andersonville National Historic Site, portraying life at Andersonville Civil Was Prison. Approximately 1200 visitors attended the event over the two days.

Martin Sheen visited Andersonville with his youthful daughter Renee Estevez. Sheen is a regular on the current TV series “The West Wing”. He has an interest in American history and has starred in at least two films featuring the American Civil War: “The Andersonville Trial” and Turner Network’s “Gettysburg”, in which Sheen played Robert E. Lee.

In Americus Sheen stayed at the Windsor Hotel. The actor visited the Café Java, Merle Norman Cosmetics; St. Mary’s Catholic Church, had ice cream at the Lollipop Kids and toured the Historic Rylander Hotel. Nobody knew that Sheen was staying at the Windsor and visiting Americus until the day he checked in. According to Tom Nicholson, Reservations Manager at the Windsor, Sheen had made reservations under his real name Emilio Estevez and therefore, nobody linked his real name to the name of the “West Wing” actor. Upon check in however, the front desk reservationists immediately recognized Sheen.

After his departure, Sheen sent an autographed photograph to the Windsor, thanking the manger and staff for its excellent service and hospitality. Sheen said he was utterly charmed by Americus and the Southern hospitality. The citizens of Americus were honored by Sheen’s memorable visit.