Southern Indiana Business Report
MITCHELL – Two years after it closed for an extensive renovation and modernization, Spring Mill Inn at Spring Mill State Park will have a public open house with tours of the renovated inn Nov. 20 from 2:30-4:30 p.m.
The historic inn, located in Mitchell, has been closed since November 2022. Originally opened in 1939, the inn was due for significant mechanical modernizations, accessibility upgrades and cosmetic room and conference facility improvements.
As part of the open house, Indiana State Parks staff will answer questions, share information about the inn’s renovations, and provide refreshments.
“Following extensive renovations honoring the history of this special place, we can’t wait to officially welcome guests back to Spring Mill Inn,” said DNR director Dan Bortner. “Its location in the heart of Spring Mill State Park with so many unique features makes it an attraction for Hoosiers and for our guests from other states. The investments made in the infrastructure and cosmetic features of the inn will ensure that it is a place where we can all make memories for years to come with family and friends.”Reservations for lodging can be made beginning Dec. 6 by calling 1-877-LODGES-1 or visiting IndianaInns.com.
Following the renovations, guests will now enter the front doors to an accessible lobby and a centrally located registration desk, alongside a fireplace ready for guests to sit and relax.
The new gift shop will offer souvenir items along with self-serve snacks and drinks 24 hours a day. The downstairs lobby area will provide comfortable gathering spaces for music, family games, reading, and relaxing by the fireplace. The new family-friendly splash pad that’s still under construction will feature both indoor and outdoor elements when completed.
The look and feel of the inn remain true to the original rustic pioneer atmosphere but with modern conveniences. The same tables and chairs, beautifully refinished, will return to the Millstone Dining Room. A new buffet unit will provide group dining for conference and meeting attendees, and it will periodically accompany the restaurant’s daily menu.
The dining room’s first meal is the much-loved annual Thanksgiving buffet on Nov. 28 with turkey, fried chicken, ham, baked whitefish, stuffing and plenty of sides and desserts. Reservations are required with limited seating available at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and can be made by calling 877-LODGES-1. The cost is $34.99 per person for adults, $17.49 for children 4-10 years old, and children ages 3 and younger are free. The meal includes soda and coffee. Tax and gratuity are not included in this pricing. The Millstone Dining Room will open with a daily menu for meals on Dec. 6.
The inn’s guest rooms have been outfitted with all new fixtures, carpet, and furnishings.
Meeting rooms will be available for conferences, group meetings, banquets and weddings. The Lakeview Room, with its expansive view of Spring Mill Lake, has been equipped with bird-friendly windows designed to reduce bird collisions. For inquiries about holding weddings, banquets, and conferences at Spring Mill Inn, email [email protected].
Less-visible upgrades include new HVAC, new water lines, and a new fire alarm and sprinkler system. A generator has been installed that will power the inn when electricity is down due to storms. Parking garage improvements include work on the facades, staircases and traffic flow. The concrete in the garage has also been resealed.
Read more about the work that has been done at dnr.IN.govstate-parks/inns/spring-mill-inn-at-spring-mill-state-park/renovation/.