There's
lots to discover in Kentucky -- with Williamsburg's Cumberland Inn one of its
best treasures. After a day of horseback riding through one of the most challenging
trails in the Daniel Boone National forest, I was more than ready for an evening
of pampering. Opening the door into the Cumberland Inn I knew I was in the right
place! The
lobby spread into an enormous area reminiscent of a Louisiana plantation home.
The white marble floor reflected the golden globes of the light fixtures, while
the two winding staircases met above me in a vast open area on the second level.
There was just so much to explore. One
of the key features of the breath-taking foyer was the gold chandelier, which
illuminated the fresco-painted dome of angels. Called the "children of the
dome," the work of art was painted by Wayne Taylor, a Cumberland College
Alumnus. Created in loving memory of their small sons, Drew and Jeremiah Smith,
Luther and Rosemary Smith commissioned the painting, and had it dedicated on June
11, 1994. Twin
fireplaces on each end of the wide expanse invited guests to sit on the comfortable
couches, relax and share the day's stories. Golden oak floors and stairs complemented
the white and gold décor, creating a jovial mood that spread throughout
the hotel. It was one certainly shared by the friendly staff. The
Cumberland Inn's mission is indeed a lot more comprehensive than to provide guests
with a "memorable experience," "great food," and "first
class service." Built with private gifts from friends of Cumberland College,
it provides work opportunities for up to 100 students through the College's workstudy
program. Friendly
young college faces smiled at me throughout the hotel, from the desk clerks and
room staff, to the waitresses and chef's assistants. The energy and enthusiasm
of youth spreads through every aspect of a visit to the Cumberland Inn, making
it impossible to find a glum face among the guests.
Of
course, after a day in the saddle, I was ready to explore my room and its amenities.
The bathroom was fully equipped with everything I'd need to soak my aching muscles
and revive myself to meet friends for dinner. While the king-sized bed tempted
me to crawl between the sheets for just a few minutes, it was time for dinner
and I had to hurry.
The Athenaeum Restaurant possessed the same ambience as the rest of the hotel -- piano music drifted between the tables and the fireplace created a cozy feeling. Beautiful leather-bound books lined shelves along the wall, making me wish I had time to check out the authors. Ah, but food was truly the key thing on my mind.
My meal was delicious, from the fresh green asparagus to the cornbread crusted trout. It there's one thing I've come to appreciate traveling in the Southern US, it's the many uses for corn. The Athenaeum also served one of my favorite desserts: (not that I have many that couldn't fall into that class) a cheescake with strawberry sauce.
Our group was so impressed with the wonderful food that we convinced the kitchen staff to come out to complement them. Much to our surprise, the senior chef was accompanied by half a dozen young male college students, all wearing the traditional chef hat. Our waitresses, also deserving of congratulations, received many thanks too.
After dinner I had time to explore the Cumberland Inn before retiring. One of the Inn's biggest attractions was the Cumberland Inn Museum. The Carl Williams Cross Collection was extremely interesting. It consisted of over 7000 different religious crosses, collected over a 30 year period. Rev. Robert Williams, of Louisville dedicated his collection to the memory of his son Carl, a Cumberland College graduate.
Then, always ready to get into the Christmas spirit, I visited Blair's Christmas Land in the museum. This magical display lets Cumberland Inn visitors enjoy Christmas all year round, with its skiing bears, elves, tiny villages and dolls from around the world. Jim and Rocky Blair, of Williamsburg, donated the animated collection.
With hundreds of specimens ranging from the tiny short-tailed shrew to the gigantic polar bear, the Henkelmann Life Science Collection is incredible. It contains hundreds of specimens of animals procured by Henry and Mary Henkelmann on expeditions from Africa to the Arctic. The Dehoney collection, compiled by Dr. Wayne Dehoney who ministered around the world, contains African animal trophies, artefacts and stories from numerous tribes. Plus the museum houses the only Ray Harm Print Gallery in Kentucky, including everything from his Cardinal to the Bluebird on Dogwood.
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After exploring the museum I had to spend some time examining the many different artefacts that filled the large waiting area on the second level. Leaning on the balcony overlooking the foyer I found myself in awe of the Cumberland College project that provided so many students with such valuable work experience and me with a great stay. Indeed, the guest message in the rooms summed it all up: "Because this hotel is a human institution to serve people and not solely a money making organization, we hope that God will grant you peace and rest while you are under our roof."
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