Hailed as the ‘Folk Arts and Crafts Capital of Kentucky‘, the town of Berea is located in Madison County and is currently one of the fastest growing towns in the state. According to the town’s website, it offers a “graceful blend of southern hospitality and Appalachian tradition”, making it the ideal destination for anyone looking for a relaxing holiday with the benefit of friendly faces and welcoming local customs.
Berea started out as little more than a tiny village with a church, a college and a name taken from the biblical town now known as Veria. Berea College is famous for having been once been the only college in the South to have offered education to both whites and blacks for 40 years. This reputation for integration brought many Afro-Americans to the area and marked the beginning of the town’s rich black history.
Today, the folk arts and craft aspect of the town’s fame is based on the large number of studios and workshops present and the wide variety of skills possessed by local artisans. Weaving has long been one of Berea’s most established arts, its history dating back to the late 19th century, when Appalachian students at Berea College presented woven wares as payment for their tuition.
Highlights
Old Town Artisan’s Village: is the place to check out Berea’s finest craftsmen and their work. View works in progress and get the chance to purchase completed pieces.
Kentucky Artisan Center: an interesting mix of handcrafted items, books, specialty foods and musical recordings, all hailing from the Kentucky area.
KY Guild of Artists and Craftsmen Fall Fair: one of the highlights of the town’s calendar of events, this fair sees more than 100 artists and craftsmen from the region assemble to showcase their talents. Expect demonstrations, dance and live music.
Hiking: Berea offers plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the great outdoors with walking trails available in Anglin Falls, Berea College Forest and
Owsley Fork Reservoir.