Boone Tavern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Boone Tavern Hotel
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Boone Tavern in 2009
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 Location in Kentucky
Location in the United States
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| Location | 100 Main St., Berea, Kentucky |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1909 |
| Architect | Cady and See |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 95001527 |
| Added to NRHP | January 11, 1996 |
Boone Tavern is a special hotel, restaurant, and guesthouse. It is connected to Berea College in Berea, Madison County, Kentucky.
Boone Tavern Hotel is a member of Historic Hotels of America. This is a program that recognizes important historic places. It is part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
A Look Back at Boone Tavern
Boone Tavern was built in 1909. It was made to welcome guests visiting Berea College. The hotel is named after Daniel Boone, a famous explorer from early Kentucky. The word "Tavern" here means an old-fashioned inn for travelers. It does not mean a place that sells alcoholic drinks.
Building Boone Tavern started in 1907. The plans were made by architects Cady & See from New York. Students at Berea College helped build it. They made the bricks in the college's own brickyard. The college's Woodwork Department also helped construct the building. The total cost was about $20,000.
The hotel is located on College Square in Berea. This is where the old Dixie Highway crossed the college campus. Boone Tavern quickly became a popular stop for travelers. This was especially true when cars became common. In the 1930s, the restaurant was even featured in Duncan Hines' Adventures in Good Eating guidebooks. Richard T. Hougen led the restaurant for 35 years starting in 1940. He wrote three cookbooks. Under his guidance, Boone Tavern became known for its delicious Southern cooking.
How Boone Tavern Is Run
Boone Tavern is owned by Berea College. About 15% of the staff at the hotel and restaurant are students. The guest rooms have furniture made from solid cherry wood. These pieces are crafted by Berea College Student Crafts. Berea is a work college. This means students must work at least ten hours each week. They work at Boone Tavern or another college department. In return, they receive a tuition-free college education.
In 2008, the college started a big renovation project. It cost about $9.6 million. The goal was to make Boone Tavern Kentucky's first LEED-certified hotel. This means it would meet high standards for being environmentally friendly. The college also wanted to keep its historic look. The renovation was finished in May 2009.
Changes included updating the kitchen and service elevator. The number of guest rooms increased from 58 to 64. Skylights in the dining room were restored. A new two-story entrance was added on the east side.
For a long time, Berea College had rules against serving certain items. In April 2012, the rules for Boone Tavern's restaurant changed. This allowed the restaurant to offer more choices to its diners. Hotel guests could also bring items into their rooms. This change was allowed under a special Kentucky law. This law permits such a vote for "qualified historic sites." The college's board of trustees had to decide whether to apply for a license. This decision was made in 2013. The college has historically had strong beliefs about what should be served. The college president at the time noted that this decision would affect other restaurants. These restaurants rent space in buildings attached to the tavern. They would not be allowed to offer the same choices. This is because their buildings are not "qualified historic sites" under the law.
See also
In Spanish: Boone Tavern para niños
