General Morgan Inn & Conference Center

History

Discover General Morgan Inn & Conference Center, which is named after Confederate General John Hunt Morgan, who was killed near the hotel.

General Morgan Inn & Conference Center was constructed at a time when the United States was defined by great economic prosperity, industrial expansion, and significant social reform. The first building to stand on what is today the General Morgan Inn was the De Woody Tavern, a wooden structure erected in the late 1790s. Heavily patronized by local residents, it also provided overnight accommodations for travelers passing through Greeneville. From the late 1820s to the 1860s, the establishment was known as Bell Tavern. Joshua Lane operated the tavern during the Civil War, when it was better known as the Lane House. Early on the morning of September 4, 1864, Joshua's wife, a Union sympathizer, reportedly spotted Confederate General John Hunt Morgan as he tried to escape Union soldiers and pointed out his hiding place. During the ensuing gun battle, the colorful Kentucky Calvary officer, popularly known as the "Thunderbolt of the Confederacy," was shot and killed not far from the rear of the tavern.

In the 1880s, the De Woody Tavern was purchased by Colonel John H. Doughty, who built the three-story Doughty-Stevens building, located on Main Street across from the inn, in the late 1880s. Colonel Doughty, recognizing the need for an excellent hotel to accommodate the many railroad travelers, demolished the original De Woody tavern and began construction of a new four-story brick structure that would become the historic 60-room Grand Central Hotel, its facade adorned with marble belt courses at each floor. Within a few short years, four railroad hotels, all connected at the second-floor level with a bridge across an alleyway, had sprung up.

In 1920, Mrs. E.J. Brumley purchased the hotel and began full operation of the newly renamed Hotel Brumley. In 1948, Judd Brumley opened "The General Morgan Room," a supper-club style private dining area adjacent to the main dining room on the first floor. The General Morgan Room was an instant success and quickly became the region's most popular and prestigious location for formal affairs. The Hotel Brumley ceased operation in May 1981. For many years the historic building sat vacant. After nine years of planning and fundraising, the restored General Morgan Inn and Conference Center opened for business in September 1996.

Hotel Timeline

William DeWoody constructed a tavern on the site that became a popular stop for travelers along the Great Wagon Road.

Under proprietor Joshua Lane, the property became known as the Lane House and hosted both Union and Confederate visitors during the Civil War.

The property operated as the Bell Tavern, serving travelers and local residents in downtown Greeneville.

Confederate General John Hunt Morgan, known as the "Thunderbolt of the Confederacy," was shot and killed near the rear of the tavern while attempting to evade Union troops. The future hotel would later be named in his honor.

Colonel John H. Doughty demolished the old tavern and constructed the four-story, 60-room Grand Central Hotel, designed to serve the growing railroad trade in Greeneville.

The East Tennessee & Virginia Railroad built a new depot in Greeneville, significantly increasing travel and hotel business.

Multiple railroad hotels emerged in Greeneville and were connected by elevated walkways, making the Grand Central Hotel a key hospitality hub.

Mrs. E. J. Brumley purchased the hotel and renamed it Hotel Brumley, beginning more than six decades of family stewardship.

Judd Brumley opened the prestigious General Morgan Room, a private dining and banquet venue that became one of the region's most sought-after social gathering spaces.

Hotel Brumley ceased operations and the historic structure remained vacant for many years

Community leaders undertook nearly a decade of fundraising, planning, and preservation efforts to save the building from deterioration.

Following a comprehensive restoration, the building reopened as the General Morgan Inn & Conference Center. This included a new conference center was incorporated into the restoration project, expanding the property's role as Greeneville's premier event destination.

The General Morgan Inn & Conference Center was inducted into Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

1790s

1861

1820s

1864

1884

1886

1890s

1920

1948

1981

1987

1996

2002

Famous Historic Events

Joshua Lane operated the tavern during the Civil War, when it was better known as the Lane House. Early on the morning of September 4, 1864, Joshua's wife, a Union sympathizer, reportedly spotted Confederate General John Hunt Morgan as he tried to escape Union soldiers and pointed out his hiding place. During the ensuing gun battle, the colorful Kentucky Calvary officer, popularly known as the "Thunderbolt of the Confederacy," was shot and killed not far from the rear of the tavern.