Golden Lamb Seeks Former Employees as Historic Lebanon Landmark Celebrates 100 Years of Family Ownership

LEBANON, Ohio — For generations, thousands of people have walked through the doors of The Golden Lamb — not only as guests, but as employees who helped create the hospitality and traditions associated with one of Lebanon’s best-known landmarks.

Now, as The Golden Lamb celebrates 100 years of family ownership in 2026, the historic restaurant and inn is looking for former employees to help tell that story.

The Golden Lamb is inviting past employees to reconnect, share their memories and take part in its yearlong centennial celebration. A dedicated Facebook group,  https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1DPLGFSM8B/, has been created where former team members can receive updates about anniversary events, reconnect with former coworkers and learn about opportunities to be recognized during the celebration.

The milestone marks a century since Robert Jones took over the property in 1926, beginning a family ownership tradition that continues today. Jones was the grandfather of former U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, who has previously credited his grandparents and generations of Golden Lamb employees with building the inn's reputation for hospitality.

But The Golden Lamb's history stretches much further back than the family's 100 years of ownership.

The story began in 1803, when Jonas Seaman paid $4 for a license to operate a "house of Public Entertainment" on Broadway in the newly established village of Lebanon. The business took its name from the image of a golden lamb displayed on its sign — an important way of identifying businesses at a time when many travelers could not read.

The present brick building dates to 1815, when the Golden Lamb moved to its Broadway location and began offering lodging as well as food and drink. Over the centuries, the building has been expanded and changed while continuing to serve travelers and local residents.

Today, The Golden Lamb describes itself as Ohio's longest continually operating business. During its 223-year history, it has welcomed an extraordinary list of visitors, including 12 U.S. presidents, along with Charles Dickens, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Mark Twain, Henry Clay, Neil Armstrong and other well-known figures.

Yet the 2026 celebration is focusing not only on the famous people who passed through its doors, but also on the people who worked behind them — servers, cooks, housekeepers, bartenders, managers and others whose careers became part of The Golden Lamb's history.

The Golden Lamb is encouraging anyone who worked at the restaurant or hotel over the years to join its former-employee Facebook group and share their connection to the Lebanon landmark.

For a business that has been welcoming people since the earliest days of Warren County, those employee stories are another chapter in a history that continues to be written.

More News from Lebanon

• Restored Springboro Orthodox Quaker Cemetery to be Dedicated Sept. 12 The program will include a history of the cemetery and Springboro’s Orthodox Quaker community
• HISTORIC MUSICAL AT LA COMEDIA: COME FROM AWAY COME FROM AWAY is playing through September 27