Elmwood (Perryville, Kentucky)

Elmwood Inn, a historic building in Perryville, Kentucky, has a rich history dating back to its construction in 1842 by merchant John Burton. Originally a Greek Revival mansion, it served various roles including a battlefield hospital during the 1862 Battle of Perryville, and later as Elmwood Academy from 1891 to 1925. The inn gained fame as a restaurant and tea house, hosting notable guests like Ronald Reagan and Colonel Harland Sanders. In 1990, it became one of America's premier tea houses and was recognized by the UK Tea Council. Although it closed to the public in 2004 and is now a private residence, Elmwood Inn Fine Teas continues to thrive, supplying specialty teas nationwide and publishing books on tea.