The Gainesboro Project | Gainesboro, Tennessee

Cordell Hotel

Gainesboro's historic hotel will reopen on the square-restored for modern stays while honoring the legacy of Cordell Hull and the stories within its walls. Coming Spring 2027.

Born in nearby Pickett County, Cordell Hull spent much of his early life in and around Gainesboro, where he began his law practice and first entered public service. He would go on to become the longest-serving U.S. Secretary of State and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in establishing the United Nations.

His connection to this place runs deeper than history books-grounded in the same values of service, diplomacy, and community that shaped his early years here.

The Cordell Hotel carries that legacy forward-named in his honor and rooted in the place where his story began.

Upper Cumberland Adventure Center

The Upper Cumberland Adventure Center is the place to begin - whether you arrive with a plan or not. Located in the Wasioto Building in downtown Gainesboro, UCAC connects people to the natural beauty, culture, and stories of the region through trusted resources, local insight, and partnerships with outfitters, guides, and makers.

Designed to be flexible and growing, UCAC offers gear, guidance, curated itineraries, and local recommendations - serving as both a starting point and a gathering place for those looking to explore. Rooted in hospitality and respect for place, it helps people feel comfortable stepping into the outdoors while staying connected to the community around them.

For guests of the Cordell Hotel and visitors to the square, UCAC is a natural extension of the neighborhood - where a stay turns into an experience, and time spent outside leads back to a place that feels like home.

Upper Cumberland Adventure Center in Gainesboro, Tennessee

The Board Room

102 South Main Street, Downtown Gainesboro

Located on the square in downtown Gainesboro, The Board Room is a place to gather - easy to walk into, easy to stay awhile. Owned by Cassie and Peter D. Kessler Jr., the restaurant brings new energy to a familiar location, formerly home to the Bull & Thistle. Since opening, it has quickly become part of the rhythm of the town - guests praising the steaks, sides, and desserts and calling it a welcome addition to Jackson County.

Whether it's a casual dinner or a meetup after a day on the river, The Board Room brings locals and visitors together around something simple: good food, good company, and a place that feels like it belongs. It's more than a restaurant - it's part of the momentum taking shape across Gainesboro.

Menu One Menu Two

Our Partners

Being part of Gainesboro means showing up- consistently and in ways that matter.

Wasioto Restoration Company is actively involved in supporting local initiatives and partnerships that strengthen the fabric of the community. From working with organizations like Friends of Cordell Hull Lake and the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, to supporting the Imagination Library, Jackson County High School athletics, the Gainesboro Clock Tower restoration, the Veterans Association, and the Charles Ralph Holland Memorial Library, our focus is simple: invest in the people and places that make this town what it has been, what it is and what it will be. These efforts aren't separate from the work- they're part of it.

Because a strong town isn't built by any one project. It's supported through shared effort, local pride, and a commitment to showing up over time.