FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The University of Arkansas and the Carnall Inn Development Company, L.L.C. will jointly mark the dedication of The Inn at Carnall Hall and Ella’s Restaurant at an open house beginning at 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 23. The dedication ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Scheduled speakers for the dedication include:

• Chancellor John A. White - University of Arkansas
• Richard Alexander - Carnall Inn Development Company, L.L.C.
• Dr. Mary Warnock - School of Human Environmental Sciences
• The Honorable Dan Coody - Fayetteville Mayor

"Praise for the newly renovated Carnall Hall facility has been exceptional," White said. "This preservation of one of the campus’ first structures and its revitalization for public use is a tremendous addition to our community and the entire state of Arkansas."

Constructed in 1906, Carnall Hall is named for Ella Harrelson Carnall, an associate professor of English and modern languages who died unexpectedly in 1894 at the age of 32. Her many successes as a UA student, coupled with her influence and guidance as an instructor, led the University to honor her by designating the only women’s dormitory of the time as Carnall Hall.

After 1967, Carnall Hall’s use as a residence ended. Until 1991, several campus organizations and the anthropology, geology and sociology departments called the building home. When the restoration of neighboring Old Main was completed that year, additional space for academic departments was created, and Carnall Hall was closed. The building became a candidate for demolition late in the decade.

"We were made aware the building was a potential demolition project and knew we had to intervene," Alexander said. "To lose a building with that much historical significance to the University would have been tragic."

After a public show of support and several bids for renovation in 2001, the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees selected the Carnall Inn Development Company, L.L.C., as the project developers and designated the late James Lambeth, FAIA, as the project’s architect. The designated construction company for the renovation was May Construction.

"With a project as significant as the restoration of Carnall Hall, we hoped to create a facility to benefit all University constituencies but our students in particular," Warnock said. "The end result is a fully functional hotel and restaurant for UA Hospitality and Restaurant Management students under the School of Human Environmental Sciences and Bumpers College."

Funding for the estimated $7.1 million cost of the restoration includes grants from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council, an Economic Development of Arkansas Fund Commission grant, UA funds and funds from the Carnall Inn Development Co. L.L.C. organized by Fayetteville developers Alexander, Rob Merry-Ship, Ted and Leslie Belden, Joyce Lambeth and Miles James.

The facility offers 50 guests rooms; Ella’s Restaurant with a main dining room that seats as many as 125 patrons; and an auxiliary dining/meeting room that will accommodate an additional 125 people. Also, the Inn will furnish a teaching laboratory with computer connections; a Smartboard for interactive instruction; and food service equipment to be used for research.