“They have built for the ages.”
William Jennings Bryan, Secretary of State, spoke those words at the opening of Asheville’s famed Grove Park Inn on July 12, 1913. Built by E.W. Grove, the grand resort marks its 100th birthday this year with special events including a concert by B.B. King on July 4 and a fireworks display. There will also be a big bash on the actual anniversary of July 12, with vintage music, complimentary cake and a champagne toast for the next 100 years.
The inn will also unearth and reveal the contents of a 1913 time capsule sometime during the month of July, as well as gather items for a 2013 capsule.
“We won’t encase the 2013 one until the end of the year,” says Tracey Johnston-Crum, director of marketing communications at the resort.
The celebration coincides with a $25 million renovation and restoration project that’s underway following the sale of the historic property in the spring of 2012 to the Denver-based KSL Capital Partners.
Johnston-Crum says renovation highlights include covering the columns in the great hall with arts and crafts panels handcrafted by a local company called Earth in Home; hanging lanterns; opening up the front desk area to provide more light; adding a Great Hall Bakery; and a viewing of the north fireplace, which hadn’t been lit since the 1950s until logs blazed once again in January 2013.
The Grove Park Inn is offering the Once in a Lifetime Centennial package, including a two-night stay, spa day passes, daily breakfast buffet, a limited-edition resort history book and the opportunity to have guest names included in the centennial time capsule.
Visit groveparkinn.com for rates and other details.
