Beaumont Inn Newsletter

Also see: Autumn 2006, Summer 2006, Spring 2006, Winter 2005

Dear Friends:
2007 represents another milestone for the Dedman family now in its fifth generation ownership and management of Beaumont Inn. It was only a brief ninety years ago on June 21, 1917 when the great, great grandparents of the present day Innkeeper bought the Inn at public auction. Of course, as our history states, Annie Bell Goddard had already had some 45 years of kindred association with the structure, so it was not such a novel idea at the time. And as they say, “the rest is history.” Anyway, its been 90 wonderful years and counting! While we are talking anniversaries, our swimming pool is celebrating its 50th year! Does that make it an antique? It was the first concrete pond in Harrodsburg and surrounding area and of course made quite an impact on the business at the time. It has had a few facelifts and organ transplants over the years, but the concrete infrastructure is the real McCoy. They sure don’t make ‘em like that anymore! To help celebrate, bring a photo of the family enjoying our concrete pond and will give you a free dessert and post your photo on the celebration bulletin board!

What’s new?
Our 2007 Calendar of Events and the Special Packages to accompany some of these events are available now for your perusal on our website. You will also find our current rates and website reservation information there as well. Check it out!

Helen’s Haven
Boxes, boxes, and more boxes! Day after day the trucks roll in to deliver yet another load of who knows what for the Beaumont Inn Gift Shop. Helen and her little band of “gift shop ladies” are busy unpacking every day and we’re taking bets on if it will all fit inside the door with room to move about. She says she only spent four days at the Atlanta Gift Mart but we don’t think a month would have been enough! Anyway, she has something for everyone, be it St. Patrick’s Day, Graduation, Mother’s Day, Wedding, Anniversary, Christmas, gift for Grandma for keeping the kids, or whatever. You need it, she’s got it! (She also has a new line of Beaumont Inn/Old Owl TAVERN t-shirts and sweatshirts, which are really a hit. A great gift for those who have everything but COULD use something else.)

Harvey Watch
Yes, Harvey is alive and well! Many who strolled along the walking path either early morning or late evening possibly met Harvey, the white and brown spotted rabbit, chomping away on clover blooms or some other tasty treat he fancies in his backyard. Harvey arrived in November 2005 and has made the Inn property his home since then. He is, of course, a “runaway” domestic bunny who prefers the free life as opposed to the confinement of the cage. We worried he would not survive the traffic nor the mowing machines but he has taken to freedom with a flourish. He has even developed a bunny harem for camaraderie but so far has not produced any “little Harveys” much to our disappointment. We do ask you not to pet or pick him up as he now fancies himself a free spirit and a member of the local wild assemblage.

A Bit of History, please.
Here is a glimpse into the past from the earliest forerunner of Beaumont Inn, Greenville Institute (1841-1856). This excerpt is from an 1855 catalog published by Samuel C. Mullins, Principal and Owner of Greenville Institute. In describing the building, he wrote “an elegant brick mansion, 80 by 52 feet, three stories high, well ventilated, built with hollow walls to prevent dampness in the rooms, and secured by a metallic roof and other means against liability to fire, and a most ample dining room, kitchen and bathroom, completed at a cost of about $10,000, and now prepared for the accommodation of about 100 pupils.” Quite a steal wouldn’t you say!

Come on Back
We’re half way through winter and looking for Spring. Dixon has the TAVERN spruced up and stocked up along with a few menu changes for both restaurants to juice up your taste buds. The kitchen maintenance is done, a sprinkling of new lighting, carpeting, and upholstering is complete, and the Shop is packed. So come on, make plans and give us a call. Remember, Spring is just around the corner!

The Dedmans