Representatives from Missouri State Parks invite the public to attend a ribbon cutting to officially reopen J. Huston Tavern at the Arrow Rock State Historic Site at 4:30 p.m. Friday, October 8, outside on the tavern lawn. Refreshments will be served, and J. Huston Tavern will be open for dining after 5 p.m.

A fire destroyed the kitchen in May 2019 and threatened the oldest continuously-operated restaurant west of the Mississippi River. The kitchen was a total loss. Temporary outdoor dining was configured within a month, and the dining operation continued into 2020. The kitchen rebuild was completed in August 2021. This celebration marks the official reopening of the Tavern, the new kitchen and new public restrooms.

“We are very excited to officially reopen the tavern for dining,” said Dru Buntin, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. “It would not be possible without the partnership of the Friends of Arrow Rock who operate the tavern.”

“Park staff went above and beyond with all their hard work and dedication to the tavern since the fire in May 2019,” said David Kelly, director of Missouri State Parks. “We are exceptionally thankful for site administrator Mike Dickey for saving the tavern through his quick actions on the night of the fire, clean up after the fire, construction of the dining tent and mobile kitchen, as well as his assistance in developing the plans for the new kitchen.”

The public is strongly encouraged to follow social-distancing guidelines and be proactive in protecting themselves and others.

For more information, contact Arrow Rock State Historic Site at (660) 837-3330.