Boone Tavern Hotel and Restaurant was built in 1909 at the suggestion of Nellie Frost, the wife of the College president, William G. Frost. Until then, guests of the college had been welcomed into the president's home for lodging and meals. However, as the reputation of Berea College grew, so did the number of guests that Mrs. Frost received, reaching a total of 300 guests in one summer, thus came the idea for a College guest house.  Boone Tavern Hotel – named for Appalachian hero Daniel Boone – has been hosting visitors of Berea, Kentucky, ever since. 
Construction of Boone Tavern began in 1907 based on designs by the New York architectural firm of Cady & See at a cost of $20,000. The building, made of bricks manufactured by students in the College's brickyard, was constructed by the College's Woodwork Department. The "Tavern" portion of the name derives from the historic definition that refers to a public inn for travelers rather than the modern definition related to the sale of alcohol.

Built at a prominent location on the College Square in the heart of Berea where the old Dixie Highway intersected with the campus, this historic hotel and restaurant became a popular destination with the traveling public from the beginning of the "automobile age."

Boone Tavern Today

During the past nine decades, Boone Tavern has expanded to meet the changing needs of the traveling public. Over the years, Boone Tavern's 25 original guest rooms have grown to 58 and include modern amenities to ensure comfort without infringing on the historic beauty of the hotel. All guest rooms feature handcrafted cherry, oak, and pine furniture made by Berea College Student Crafts over the past 100 years. Boone Tavern, a member of the Historic Hotels of America, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.