History in the Making

March 26, 2026

A former schoolhouse turns into an A+ bed-and-breakfast.

School is in session, but don’t worry about homework; the only thing due at this schoolhouse is relaxation. The Recess Inn in Ethel was originally a schoolhouse built in 1909, which hosted students until 1980. Twelve years after closing, it was saved from demolition and turned into a bed-and-breakfast. Since 2024, the inn has been owned by Samantha and Michael Bray from Parkville.

Samantha has studied and worked in sustainable and responsible tourism for 15 years. “When the opportunity to buy the inn popped up, it was the opportunity to do what I know and love, which is enhancing the character of small communities through sustainable tourism that’s beneficial to the residents,” she says. “It seemed like the perfect opportunity for me to do that in my home community.”

Bedroom with a king and twin-sized bed with white covers and a green accent pillow with a large wreath with flowers on the wall above the bed, floor to celing windows with sheer curtain. A wooden desk with a TV on it is to the lfet and a tall plant is near a window on the left. — *• The History Room features a king and twin-sized bed, along with a walk-in private shower. • Eric Pederson*

Samantha has a special connection with the schoolhouse; she grew up in Ethel, her father attended the school, and her grandfather taught there. “It’s just a really special place to my family,” Samantha says.

Even the two cooks who make the inn’s country-style breakfast each morning, as well as the food for reservable private dinners and special culinary events, have a connection to the community. Chef Kevin Souther’s grandmother, Martha Larson, was a cook for the original schoolhouse, and Chef Kyleigh Campbell’s family sold land to the Santa Fe Railroad to build Ethel.

Employees of Recess Inn. From left standing two young women in dark red tshirts and jeans, sitting is an older man with a gray beard with grey tshirt that says Ethel High on it, young woman with brown hair and a red tshirt holding a young bow with brown hair who is holding a yellow ball, older woman with grey hair and sunglasses in a red tshirt, standing to the right is a woman with short hair and glasses in an orange tshirt and jeans, older man in grey hair and sunglasses in a brown tshirt and jeans shorts. All aare in front of a fall decoration with streamer and orange leaves — *• Employees (from left) Asten Carman, Alexis Jones, Jim Hogenson, Samantha Bray, Samantha’s son, Jordan Bray, Melissa Hogenson, Kim Souther, and Kevin Souther • The Recess Inn*

The Recess Inn has preserved architecture and items from the past for guests to enjoy. It features four rooms, the History, Music, Primary, and Geography Rooms, and a common space for guests, the Oral Hawkins Library. Inside the inn, visitors can find chalkboards, original classroom doors and books, and a collection of nearly all the school’s yearbooks, along with handwritten recipes by Martha.

Resotred shool library has large window with floor to celing beige curtains, leather chairs and couches and wooden table. And old-fashioned typewriter is on the left — *• The schoolhouse’s former library now serves as a common space for guests. • The Recess Inn*

“Whenever people stay with us, they’re helping keep alive a part of rural heritage that otherwise might not be able to,” Samantha says. “I think telling the stories of the past is really important, and it’s a huge honor when guests choose to come and stay with us and help us on that pathway.”

Property Listing Recess Inn Bed & Breakfast

• 203 East Main Street, Ethel
• TheRecessInn.com

The Recess Inn is a member of Stay Inn the Heartland, which has curated a collection of exceptional lodging experiences across the Heartland of America. Members are inspected and earn the Heartland-Certified STAY stamp of approval. Guests earn rewards through an INNer Circle loyalty program after just five STAYS.
StayInnTheHeartland.com

This article was originally printed in the March/April 2026 issue of Missouri Life.