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List of National Historic Landmarks in Kentucky facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Kentucky is home to many important places that tell stories about its past. These special spots are called National Historic Landmarks. They are recognized by the United States government as places that are very important to the history of our country. In Kentucky, there are 32 such landmarks, each with its own unique tale. Let's explore some of these amazing places!

Historic Homes and Famous People

Daniel Carter Beard Boyhood Home

Daniel Beard Home
The Daniel Carter Beard Boyhood Home.

This house in Covington was the childhood home of Daniel Carter Beard. He was a very important person who helped start the Boy Scouts of America. Imagine growing up in a house that later became a landmark because of the amazing things you did!

Henry Clay Home (Ashland)

Ashland HC
Ashland, the home of Henry Clay.

In Lexington, you can find Ashland, the beautiful home of Henry Clay. He was a famous American statesman and politician who played a big role in the country's history during the 1800s. He was known as "The Great Compromiser" because he worked hard to find solutions that everyone could agree on.

Liberty Hall

Liberty Hall, Main & Wilkinson Streets, Frankfort (Franklin County, Kentucky)
Liberty Hall in Frankfort.

Located in Frankfort, Liberty Hall was the home of John Brown. He was a key figure who helped Kentucky become a state in the United States. This house holds many stories about the early days of Kentucky.

Locust Grove

Locust Grove, Louisville
Locust Grove in Louisville.

In Louisville, Locust Grove was once the home of George Rogers Clark. He was a military leader who played a big part in the American Revolutionary War, helping to secure the Northwest Territory for the United States.

Dr. Ephraim McDowell House

Dr. Ephraim McDowell House, 125 South Second Street, Danville (Boyle County, Kentucky)
The Dr. Ephraim McDowell House.

The Dr. Ephraim McDowell House in Danville is a very special place in medical history. It's where Ephraim McDowell performed the first successful ovariotomy, a type of surgery, way back in 1809. This was a huge step forward in medicine!

Zachary Taylor House

Zachary Taylor House 1
The Zachary Taylor House.

This house in Louisville was the home of Zachary Taylor, who later became the 12th President of the United States. It's cool to think about a future president growing up in this very house!

Whitney M. Young Birthplace and Boyhood Home

Whitney M. Young, Jr. Birthplace
The Whitney M. Young, Jr. Birthplace.

In Simpsonville, you can find the birthplace and childhood home of Whitney Young. He was a very important leader in the American Civil Rights Movement, working hard for equal rights for all people.

Historic Sites and Landmarks

Belle of Louisville

Belle of Louisville 2
The Belle of Louisville steamboat.

The BELLE OF LOUISVILLE is a historic river steamboat docked in Louisville. It's one of the very last real steamboats still around. Imagine what it was like to travel on the river in one of these magnificent boats long ago!

Burks' Distillery

Makers-Mark-Distillery
Burks' Distillery, a historic place.

Located in Loretto, Burks' Distillery is a historic site known for making a special kind of beverage. It's a great example of how things were made in the past.

Camp Nelson Historic and Archeological District

Camp Nelson cabin display
A replica shanty at Camp Nelson.

Near Nicholasville, this district was a very important military base during the American Civil War. It was also a place where African-American soldiers joined the Union Army. It played a big role in the fight for freedom.

Churchill Downs

Kentucky Derby race, Louisville, Kentucky
A race at Churchill Downs.

In Louisville, Churchill Downs is a world-famous horse racing track. It's the home of the legendary Kentucky Derby, one of the most exciting horse races in the world!

John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge

CovingtonKY JARoeblingBridge
The John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge.

This amazing bridge connects Covington, KY and Cincinnati, OH. It was a model for the famous Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. It's a true engineering marvel!

Fort Boonesborough Site

Boonesborough
Fort Boonesborough.

Near Richmond, Fort Boonesborough was one of the very first settlements in Kentucky. It was a frontier fort built by early pioneers.

Green River Shell Middens Archeological District

Butterfield Site at Livermore
The Butterfield Site at Livermore, part of the Green River Shell Middens.

This district includes many ancient sites along the Green River. These places, called "shell middens," are where people lived long, long ago during the Late Archaic period. They left behind piles of shells and other things that tell us about their lives.

Indian Knoll

Indian Knoll, near McHenry, is another important ancient site. It's a large shell mound from the Archaic period, showing us where early people lived and gathered food.

Jacobs Hall, Kentucky School for the Deaf

Jacobs Hall, Kentucky School for the Deaf, South Third Street, Danville (Boyle County, Kentucky)
Jacobs Hall at the Kentucky School for the Deaf.

In Danville, Jacobs Hall is the oldest building still standing at the Kentucky School for the Deaf. This school has been helping deaf students for a very long time.

Keeneland Race Course

Keeneland Race Course
Keeneland Race Course.

Another famous horse racing track, Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, is known for its beautiful grounds and exciting races.

Labrot and Graham's Old Oscar Pepper Distillery

Woodford Reserve Distillery-27527-7
Labrot and Graham's Old Oscar Pepper Distillery.

Located in Versailles, this historic place is known for making another special kind of beverage. It's a great example of how these products were made in the past.

Lincoln Hall, Berea College

Berea College, Lincoln Hall, Berea College, Berea (Madison County, Kentucky)
Lincoln Hall at Berea College.

Lincoln Hall is a building at Berea College in Berea. Berea College was very special because it was the first college in the United States to welcome both Black and white students, even before the Civil Rights Movement.

Louisville Water Company Pumping Station

Louisville water tower
The Louisville Water Tower.

This historic water tower and pumping station in Louisville is located along the Ohio River. It's a beautiful old building that helped provide clean water to the city.

MAYOR ANDREW BROADDUS (Lifesaving Station)

MayorAndrewBroaddus
The Mayor Andrew Broaddus lifesaving station.

Also in Louisville, the MAYOR ANDREW BROADDUS is the only floating lifesaving station still in existence. It's a unique piece of history that helped keep people safe on the river.

Middle Creek Battlefield

Middle Creek Battlefield
The Middle Creek Battlefield.

Near Prestonsburg, this battlefield was the site of an early Union victory in January 1862 during the American Civil War. Future President James A. Garfield led the Union troops here.

Mill Springs Battlefield

Mill Springs Battlefield Visitor Center
The Mill Springs Battlefield Visitor Center.

In Nancy, the Mill Springs Battlefield is where a Union victory in 1862 helped break the Confederate army's defense line in Kentucky during the Civil War.

Old Bank of Louisville

Bank of Louisville Building, 322 West Main Street, Louisville (Jefferson County, Kentucky)
The Old Bank of Louisville building.

The Old Bank of Louisville building in Louisville is a historic structure that shows what banks looked like long ago.

Old Morrison, Transylvania College

Morrison College, Transylvania University, West Third Street, between Upper Street & Broadway, Lexington (Fayette County, Kentucky)
Old Morrison at Transylvania University.

In Lexington, Old Morrison is one of the first buildings of Transylvania University. This university was the very first college built west of the Appalachian Mountains, making it a pioneer in education!

Old State House

Old state house KY
The Old State House in Frankfort.

The Old State House in Frankfort was once the capitol building of Kentucky. It's where important laws were made and decisions about the state's future were discussed.

Perryville Battlefield

Harpers-perryville-battle
The Perryville Battlefield.

Near Perryville, this battlefield was the site of the largest battle in Kentucky during the American Civil War. It was a very important moment in the state's history.

Pine Mountain Settlement School

Pine-mountain-settlement-school
The Pine Mountain Settlement School.

In Bledsoe, the Pine Mountain Settlement School brought new ideas and help to a rural community. It was like a community center that offered education and support to people living in the mountains.

Shakertown at Pleasant Hill Historic District

Shakertown Trustees House 2005-05-27
The Trustees' House at Shakertown.

Near Harrodsburg, this historic district was once home to a Shaker community. The Shakers were a religious group known for their simple lifestyle, beautiful craftsmanship, and unique architecture.

George T. Stagg Distillery

Buffalo trace distillery
The George T. Stagg Distillery.

In Frankfort, the George T. Stagg Distillery is a historic place known for making a special kind of beverage. What makes it extra special is that it kept operating before, during, and after a time in history called Prohibition, when many places like it had to close.

United States Marine Hospital

U.S. Marine Hospital, Louisville, Kentucky
The U.S. Marine Hospital in Louisville.

This historic hospital in Louisville was built to care for sailors and boatmen on the river. It's a beautiful example of old hospital architecture.

Wendover (Frontier Nursing Service Headquarters)

WENDOVER
Wendover, the Frontier Nursing Service Headquarters.

In Hyden, Wendover was the headquarters for the Frontier Nursing Service. This service was the first in America to train and use professional midwives, who helped mothers and babies in rural areas.

See also

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List of National Historic Landmarks in Kentucky Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.