The Buxton Inn’s Grand Reawakening

A Celebration of History, Community and a New Chapter

On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, The Historic Buxton Inn celebrated its Grand Reawakening, a sold-out event marking a new chapter for a Granville landmark that has been part of the community since 1812.

A Historic Welcome

We were honored to welcome Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine, along with Granville Mayor Melissa Hartfield and Denison University President Adam Weinberg.

Buxton Inn owner Kevin Showe and his daughter, Cassie Lucks, shared remarks about the journey that brought the inn to this moment and the importance of preserving it for the future.

Our sincere thanks also go to Granville Historical Society President Cynthia Cort and all of our guest speakers. Their words and support helped make the celebration especially meaningful.

An Evening to Remember

Guests enjoyed specialty house-made cocktails and a handcrafted mocktail, along with charcuterie, hors d’oeuvres and beautiful pastries from Pistacia Vera and La Chatelaine.

Flowers generously donated by Timbuk and Village Flower Basket added a welcoming touch to the tables.

Live classical music provided the backdrop in the 1812 Lounge. Members of the Granville Historical Society, dressed in period attire, brought the inn’s history to life through living-history vignettes. Among their portrayals were Orrin Granger, who established the original tavern and lodging place in 1812, and former owner Ethel “Bonnie” Bounell, remembered in Buxton lore as the “Lady in Blue.”

Moments from the Reawakening

Guests together on the front porch of The Buxton Inn.

Guests gathered on the lawn outside the decorated inn.

Guests chatting beneath the trees at the celebration.

A conversation among guests beside the inn's front porch.

A guest holding the Grand Reawakening event program.

Guests enjoying a conversation on the front lawn.

The crowd facing the decorated Buxton Inn during the ceremony.

A black-and-white view of costumed participants on the upper porch.

Two guests posing together beside the inn.

A guest holding the illustrated Explore the Inn program and property map.

Three guests posing on the front lawn of The Buxton Inn.

Two guests standing in front of the courtyard fountain.

Guests watching the ceremony from beneath the trees.

An interview taking place on the lawn outside the inn.

A crowd of guests listening to the remarks.

Two guests posing together in front of the decorated porch.

A guest raising a glass at the bar in the 1812 Lounge.

Guests socializing in the main building's hallway.

A speaker giving remarks in front of the inn before the ribbon cutting.

Guests greeting one another outside the inn.

Two guests standing together in the brick courtyard.

The ceremonial ribbon being cut in front of The Buxton Inn.

Camera crews and guests documenting the celebration.

Guests gathered around a table in the tavern.

A bartender measuring a pour for a cocktail.

Honoring the History That Brought Us Here

At the heart of the Reawakening was the Granville Historical Society, with 100% of ticket sales benefiting the Society and its work preserving and sharing Granville’s history.

During the celebration, the Historical Society presented Kevin Showe with a beautiful framed historic photograph depicting The Buxton House during Granville’s 1905 Centennial Celebration. More than 120 years separate that photograph from the Reawakening of 2026.

A Thank You

To everyone who attended, worked behind the scenes and helped make the Reawakening possible, thank you.

We are grateful to our honored guests and speakers, the Granville Historical Society, our community partners, our team and everyone who joined us for this memorable celebration.

The ribbon has been cut, and the doors are open. There is more to come, with opening announcements for the restaurant and tavern to follow in the near future.

After 214 years of stories, The Buxton Inn is ready for its next chapter.