Barlow House Museum facts for kids
The Barlow House Museum is a really cool historic house in Barlow, Kentucky. It's located near where the big Mississippi River and Ohio River meet! This special house is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It's now a museum where you can learn about the Barlow family and their interesting history.
A Home with a Story
The Barlow Family Arrives
In the spring of 1849, Thomas Jefferson Barlow and his wife left Georgetown, KY. They traveled to the "wilderness" of Ballard County, Kentucky. Mr. Barlow bought 400 acres of land for a very low price. This land later became the town of Barlow.
Near the railroad depot, they built a simple log cabin. On November 18, 1849, their son, Clifton Jesse Barlow, was born there.
Building a Victorian Home
Clifton Barlow grew up and became a tariff collector. This meant he collected taxes on goods traveling on the Mississippi River. He married Carrie Mae Miller. In 1903, they built the beautiful Victorian house you see today. This house is now the Barlow Family Museum.
Clifton and Carrie Mae raised their six children in this home. Their children were Vivian, Victor, Ruby, Conway, Norma, and Thomas.
A Museum is Born
The house later passed to the oldest son, Vivian Barlow. Vivian used the house as a summer home. He lived in Connecticut where he taught piano at the Choate Rosemary Hall school.
During his summers, Vivian Barlow traveled all over the world. He collected many interesting items and artifacts. These items now make up the museum's collection.
In 1991, the house was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a very important historic site! Vivian Barlow left the house in his will to the US Bank Foundation. He wanted it to be a public museum for everyone in Ballard County to enjoy.
Today, the Barlow House Museum is open to the public. You can visit during certain hours to explore this amazing piece of history.
