Sanger ice skating in front of the hotel
Eighty-five years ago this December 15th, Margaret Sanger traveled to St. Moritz, Switzerland and stayed at the Suvretta House hotel until February 15th, 1928. These dates are recorded from letters that Sanger sent to her son, Grant Sanger. During her stay, Sanger was working on the proceedings of the first World Population Conference. She wrote again to Grant on January 18, 1928, “I got the Proceedings out at last. Am sending you a copy from London.” Sanger also wrote a letter to Cora Hodson, editor of the Eugenics Review of London, on December 21, 1927, inquiring about an article that was published in Hodson’s publication.
However, Sanger also spent her time enjoying the local scenery and activities. A picture of Sanger shows her ice skating at a nearby rink, most likely at the Suvretta House. That same December, before arriving at Survetta House, Sanger visited Berlin and Zurich.
This year, the Survetta House is celebrating its 100-year anniversary. Opened in 1912, The Survetta House is located in The Upper Engadine of Switzerland – often called the “roof of Europe.” The interior design was meant to embrace the style of “belle epoque.” The hotel boasts some 350 beds and 110 bathrooms. In the years immediately after its opening, the hotel struggled. The founder, Anton Bon died 
within three years of the hotel’s opening, and foreign visitors were scarce due to World War I. Fortunately, Bon’s relatives fought to make Suvretta House the world-renown five-star hotel it is today. The hotel is a member of “The Leading Hotels of the World” and the “Swiss Deluxe Hotels.”
Indeed, many other well-known political and cultural figures have chosen to stay at Survetta House, including Gregory Peck, Evita Peron, and Japan’s Crown Prince Akihito.
Click here for our map of Sanger’s travels.
Margaret Sanger Papers Project 