Page 173 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL EATING IBERIA

IF YOU GO

In both Cincinnati and Lexington, we stayed at historic
properties reimagined by 21C, a remarkable group of
eight boutique hotels in the country’s heartland that
also serves as one of the largest contemporary art mu-
seums in the country. I’ve never stayed in anything like
these gallery/hotels where fascinating paintings and
sculptures by contemporary artists are displayed
throughout the public spaces. Tours are given for those
interested in learning more about the artists and their
diverse works.
Preservationists, contemporary art collectors and
married couple Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson be-
gan 21C in their hometown of Louisville, Kentucky,
about 2006, revitalizing a historic property in down-
town Louisville and enlivening its spaces with some of
their vast art collection. Brown hails from the Brown-
Forman spirits fortune whose family business traces its
beginnings to Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Whisky in 1870.
Today, 21C Hotels operates revitalized historic
properties, each with locally lauded dining venues, in
Louisville; Lexington; Cincinnati; Bentonville, Ark.;
Durham, N.C.; Kansas City, MO; Nashville; and Okla-
homaCity.Openingin2020isChicago,withDesMoines
and St. Louis coming soon.

For more information, www.21cmuseumhotels.com.
Lexington Distillery District (lexingtondistillerydis-
trict.com)

Breakfast in this heartland, shown
here at 21C’s restaurant in
Cincinnati: grits, biscuits and fruit.

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