Local

All about Berea, Kentucky: Fall foliage, artisans, a top small college and more

Stories by Lexington Herald-Leader journalists, with AI summarization

These articles about Berea, Kentucky, highlight its cultural vibrancy, educational prominence, and the revival of local traditions, emphasizing the small town's community spirit and dedication to arts and education.

Berea is known for its thriving Artist Village and restaurants while Berea College is celebrating its 170th year.

Learn more about Berea with the stories below.

Cynthia Main, co-owner of Sunhouse craft, harvests broom corn alongside volunteers during Sunhouse Craft’s first crop harvest on Lazy Eight Stock Farm in Paint Lick, Ky., on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. By Arden Barnes

NO. 1: HOW A KENTUCKY BROOM-MAKER IS TRYING TO BRING BACK A ONCE THRIVING CROP

“It’s been cool seeing the craft come back.” | Published October 1, 2024 | Read Full Story by Matt Wickstrom

Lasagna, garlic bread, and The Mountaineer pizza from Papa Leno’s in Berea, May 26, 2022.

NO. 2: IN NEARLY 40 YEARS, THIS BEREA PIZZA PLACE HAS MADE ONLY ONE SIGNIFICANT MENU CHANGE

“I was once told by a wise businessman that ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,’ and our menu and recipes have (been) so spot on that they haven’t needed any changing.” | Published July 20, 2022 | Read Full Story by Matt Wickstrom

Hikers cross the Sheltowee Trace Suspension Bridge in the Daniel Boone National Forest near Slade, Ky., on Monday, May 30, 2022.

NO. 3: THIRSTY FOR A HIKING ADVENTURE? KY CREEKS, OVERLOOKS AND WATERFALLS ARE WAITING FOR YOU

If you’ve been longing to get into hiking, but don’t know where to start, we compiled this guide to popular trails and hidden gems in central and eastern Kentucky. | Published June 3, 2022 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Lock and Dam No. 12 has been renovated by Berea College in Ravenna.

NO. 4: ‘GOOD IN MANY WAYS.’ BEREA IS FIRST COLLEGE IN U.S. TO FINISH A HYDROPOWER PROJECT

“Just the fact that we’re generating the equivalent of half the power we use on campus without burning a lick of coal is the biggest plus in all of this.” | Published November 26, 2021 | Read Full Story by Bill Estep

One of the most coveted items already in the Janis Ian Archives at Berea College is a 1937 Martin D-18 guitar that was purchased by her father before she was born. Ian would grow up to write “Society’s Child” with the instrument.

NO. 5: WHY IS AN ICONIC 1960-70S GRAMMY-WINNING SINGER DONATING HER ARCHIVES TO BEREA?

Known for songs interracial relationships, adolescents and being one of two musical guest on SNL’s first episode ever, everything from gold records to tax returns is heading to Berea. | Published December 14, 2022 | Read Full Story by Walter Tunis

Berea College

NO. 6: FROM ITS INCEPTION IN 1855, BEREA COLLEGE HAS BEEN DOING AUDACIOUS WORK | OPINION

OpEd: We are still audacious enough to think Berea College has something to offer the world of higher education, which continues to struggle with issues like diversity, access, support, belonging and equity. | Published February 2, 2023 | Read Full Story by Lyle D. Roelofs

Bourbon Manor in Bardstown has 10 guest rooms named after cocktails that are available in the bar downstairs.

NO. 7: THESE 4 KENTUCKY SPOTS ARE AMONG SOUTHERN LIVING’S ‘BEST 50 SMALL TOWNS IN THE SOUTH’

From a trailblazing town to one situated at the junction of two major rivers, the magazine says each has a lot to offer. | Published May 19, 2023 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Mom’s special house curry at Noodle Nirvana.

NO. 8: POPULAR BEREA RESTAURANT’S NOODLE RECIPES WILL LIVE ON THANKS TO DONATIONS

This local restaurant’s biggest fans raised more than seven times the goal. | Published January 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Matt Wickstrom

The Mountaineer pizza from Papa Leno’s in Berea, left, and the Grilled Watermelon Salad at Crafted at Boone Tavern. By Marcus Dorsey, Sean Hall

NO. 9: PIZZA, FARM-TO-TABLE & MORE: WHERE TO EAT AT BEREA’S COLLEGE SQUARE

Once you have taken in all the crafts, its time to sample the food, including the newly renovated restaurant at Boone Tavern. | Published July 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt Wickstrom Brian Simms

Weaving, broom, wood and more craft, are on display Monday, July 14, 2025, at Crafted at Boone Tavern, the new restaurant at the Historic Boone Tavern Hotel in Berea, Ky. The majority of furnishings and decorations for the new restaurant were handmade by Berea College Student Craft. The newly rebranded restaurant will have breakfast, lunch and dinner in addition to a new bar menu. By Brian Simms

NO. 10: SEE INSIDE THE RENOVATED DINING ROOM OF BEREA’S BOONE TAVERN WITH ITS NEW MENU

A new menu, new bar, new decor and much more. See all the changes at this Kentucky landmark. | Published July 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Brian Simms

Berea College sophomores Veronica Mauratic, of Somerset, Ky., left, and Jessica Beisecker, of Great Falls, Mont., carry belongings out of their residence halls at Berea College in Berea in March 2020 due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19. By Alex Slitz

NO. 11: YOU CAN CATCH OF GLIMPSE OF A KY LOCATION IN ‘THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY’ SEASON 3

You’re not wrong, that does look familiar. | Published July 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Monica Kast

A lookout near East Pinnacle in the Berea College Forest is photographed at dawn. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 12: SMITHSONIAN SAYS KENTUCKY HAS ONE OF THE 15 BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN 2025

If you’re searching for the perfect weekend day trip in Kentucky this fall, Berea may be tough to beat. | Published August 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Emery Building on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, at Berea College in Berea, Ky. By Christian Kantosky

NO. 13: A KENTUCKY COLLEGE WAS JUST NAMED BEST IN THE US FOR ‘TUITION AND TAX DOLLARS’

A small Kentucky college that doesn’t charge its students tuition has been named the No. | Published August 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.