And
yes, some, like Warren May whose woodworking shop's in the College
Square cluster, are the same folks who love country bluegrass
at the Saturday night jamboree and quiet dulcimer melodies describing
the hollers and hills you'll drive to find them. May will give
you a dulcimer lesson on one of his custom made instruments just
for asking. Then he'll show off the edges of a drawer that fits
so perfectly into a table edged by the natural contour of the
tree from whence it came that you'll immediately realize he's
a master furniture maker with rare talent. When it sold in a flash
for $2500 — May knew he had underpriced it. He's been creating
wooden furnishings with his distinctive beading or Appalachian
bird carved knobs for 25 years and especially enjoys making "one
piece of furniture from one piece of wood. " If you're up for
one of them, you'll just have to happen upon it — he doesn't
do special orders.
You'll have to drive
a dozen miles to discover Tater Knob Pottery and a gallery of
functional pieces handthrown by Berea graduates Sarah Culbreth
and Jeff Enge. If you're less adventurous, just browse the two
college-owned shops for their designs. The Boone Tavern serves
its famous "spoon bread" from round baking dishes created by these
artists who tuck in the recipe with each dish.
All these craftspeople
and more gather three times a year for annual craft shows, but
other times it's a heyday for shoppers and a relaxing scenic getaway
rolled into one. There are several B&Bs, including the elegant
Doctor's Inn (617 Chestnut Street, 606-986-3042) as well as national
motel chains, but for a unique experience, choose the Boone Tavern
Hotel, built in 1909 to relieve the college president's wife of
so many visitors. Its white pillared façade, a Berea landmark
in the center of town, and 57 individually decorated rooms featuring
pieces created at the college are on the National Record of Historic
Places and one of the "Historic Hotels of America." Continental
breakfast and afternoon tea and sweets are complimentary, but
you can sample the spoon bread and the five-course historic menu
for about $20.
Admittedly, nightlife
is limited and dry in Berea, save a walk on campus to Lincoln
Hall, an architectural replica of Philadelphia's Independence
Hall that's also on the National Register of Historic Places.
You can end your walk at Berea Coffee & Tea Co. on College Square
for dessert and coffee or an ice cream concoction.
Even if Berea's nightlife
is quiet, that's not a negative for long distance drivers. After
a good night's sleep in this craft mecca, you'll be ready to hit
the highway with gifts for sharing under the palm trees. One more
tip: Better double up on your purchases — chances are you
won't want to part with your newfound treasures.
Sidebar:
Before you begin your
shopping spree, take a college craft tour at either 10 a.m. or
2 p.m. Monday through Friday — you'll end up in the off-price
room at the Crafts Center where the bargains are seconds and discontinued
items at reduced prices. A "gallery basket" retailing for $70
prices at $27 here.
Free historic campus
walking tours depart the Boone Tavern Hotel lobby at 9 and 11
a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. each weekday and at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Christmas begins in
November when the annual Home & Hearth Christmas Bazaar ushers
in a six-week long celebration of the holidays Applachian style.
With an array of open
houses and extended hours, its best to call Berea Tourism Office,
800-598-5263 for seasonal hours. Otherwise, you'll find craft
brochures with addresses at nearly every shop.
Boone Tavern Hotel,
Main Street, 800-366-9358, www.berea.edu
Doctor's Inn Bed & Breakfast,
617 Chestnut Street, 859-986-3042
Warren A. May Woodworker, 110 Center St., 859-986-9293
Appalachian Fireside Gallery, 127 Main Street, 859-986-9013
Log House Craft Gallery, 859-986-9341
Gastineau Jewelry, 135 N. Broadway, 859-986-9158
Tater Knob Pottery & Farm, 260 Wolf Gap Road, 859-986-2167
Kentucky
Artisan Center, Berea
Kentucky
Artisan Heritage Trails
