Once you get past the usual Interstate highway trappings: McDonald's, Wendy's, etc., and reach "downtown" Berea, Kentucky, about a mile east of I-75, you find yourself in a town dominated by the local Berea College. It's also an artists' town, with lots of shops devoted to locally produced pottery, textiles, woodwork etc. A number of these encourage visitors to watch the artists at work. We're staying at the Boone Tavern Hotel, which is also owned by the college. Berea College dates back to 1855 when an abolitionist minister established a school dedicated to educating whites and blacks, men and women. He was driven out by pro-slavery forces during the Civil War but came back to establish the Berea Literary Institute after the war. It had an enrollment of 96 blacks and 91 whites. The college also emphasizes work so students must work at least 10 hours per week in college departments to earn a portion of their fees and to gain some spending money. The campus is beautiful and a bell tower announces the hours and the quarter-hours. All in all, a very charming place. I especially like the woodworking shop with its beautiful handmade dulcimers.
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