Dinsmore Homestead facts for kids
Dinsmore House
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![]() Main house at the Dinsmore Homestead (1842)
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Nearest city | Burlington, Kentucky |
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Built | 1841 |
Built by | John Brady |
Architect | Dinsmore Bros. |
Architectural style | Greek Revival, Federal |
NRHP reference No. | 79000962 (original) 05001307 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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Added to NRHP | March 28, 1979 |
Boundary increase | November 13, 2023 |
The Dinsmore Homestead is a fascinating historic house museum. It includes a main house built in 1842 and several other buildings. You can find it at 5656 Burlington Pike (Kentucky Route 18), about 6.5 miles (10.5 km) west of Burlington, Kentucky. This special place lets you step back in time and see how a family lived long ago.
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What is the Dinsmore Homestead?
The Dinsmore Homestead is a historic site in Boone County, Kentucky. It was once a large farm and home. The Dinsmore family lived here for many years. Today, it is a museum that teaches us about American history.
Who Lived at Dinsmore Homestead?
In 1839, James and Martha Dinsmore bought about 700 acres (2.8 km2) of land. They settled there with their daughters, Isabella, Julia, and Susan. The family raised sheep and grew grapes. They also grew willows for a basket-making business. People from Germany helped with this work.
The house is unique because it still has almost all its original items. These items were bought by the family, mostly from stores in Cincinnati, Ohio. Some of their favorite shops included Shillito's and McAlpin's. Seeing these original things helps us imagine life in the 1800s.
Important People Connected to Dinsmore
The Dinsmore family knew many important people throughout history. Their letters and journals show connections to figures like George Washington and Henry Clay. They also knew Andrew Jackson and Theodore Roosevelt. Even famous artists like Mathew Brady and Gutzon Borglum were part of their world.
The Dinsmore family lived in the home from 1842 until 1926. They were involved in many big historical events. These events help us understand local, national, and even global history.
What Historical Events Did They See?
Members of the Dinsmore family wrote about many interesting events. They saw how the U.S. Government interacted with Native American groups like the Cherokee. They were also part of early land deals, like Macomb's Purchase.
The family experienced major conflicts, including the Texas Revolution of 1836. They lived through the American Civil War and the Spanish–American War. They even wrote about the sinking of the Titanic and the Lusitania. The family's stories also touch upon World War I.
Visiting the Dinsmore Homestead Today
In 1987, the Dinsmore Homestead Foundation bought the home. They also purchased about 30 acres (120,000 m2) of land. Their goal was to protect this important historical site.
The Foundation has saved nearly 90,000 pages of family letters and journals. These documents are now on microfilm. Visitors can use them to learn even more about the Dinsmore family.
The Dinsmore home is open for guided tours. You can also explore the beautiful grounds. It's a great place to learn about different parts of history.
What Can You Learn at Dinsmore?
The Homestead focuses on many important historical topics. You can learn about women's history and the history of African Americans. It also covers the history of agriculture and Native American cultures. The site helps us understand the past of states like Mississippi, Louisiana, and Kentucky.