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List of historic houses in Kentucky facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Kentucky is a state full of history, and many of its old homes tell amazing stories! These special houses are called 'historic houses' because they have been around for a long time and important events happened in them, or famous people lived there. They show us what life was like in the past, from the early days of the United States to more recent times.

These homes were built in many different styles, like the simple Federal style, the grand Greek Revival, or the fancy Beaux-Arts. Each house has its own unique story, offering a peek into Kentucky's rich past.

My Old Kentucky Home Mansion
Federal Hill Mansion
Ashland HC
Ashland
Conrad Historic Home, Old Louisville KY
Conrad-Caldwell House
Locust Grove closeup
Croghan Mansion
Farmington
Farmington
KY Governors Mansion
Kentucky Governor's Mansion
Mary Todd Lincoln House, Lexington Kentucky 2
Mary Todd Lincoln House
Mayo Mansion
Mayo Mansion
HobsonGrove
Riverview at Hobson Grove
Thomas Edison House Louisville
Thomas Edison House
Ward Hall, Georgetown, Kentucky
Ward Hall
Wickland 2
Wickland (Bardstown)

Famous Historic Homes in Kentucky

Kentucky is home to many amazing historic houses. Each one has a special story to tell about the people who lived there or the events that happened within its walls. Here are some of the most interesting ones, listed by when they were built.

Homes from the 1700s

  • Croghan Mansion (Louisville) – Built around 1790, this was the home of George Rogers Clark. He was a hero of the American Revolutionary War. His sister, Lucy Clark Croghan, also lived here. This house is special because it's the only home west of the Appalachian Mountains that sheltered the famous explorers Lewis and Clark!
  • Farmington (Louisville) – This house was built in 1815. It was the home of James Speed, who became the U.S. Attorney General. The design of this house was even based on plans by Thomas Jefferson, one of America's Founding Fathers!
  • Federal Hill (Bardstown) – Built in 1795, this house was the home of Senator John Rowan. It is said to have inspired Stephen Foster to write the famous song My Old Kentucky Home.
  • John Andrew Miller House (Scott County) – This house was built in 1785. It belonged to pioneer John Andrew Miller. It also served as a safe place for the community during attacks.
  • Liberty Hall (Frankfort) – Built in 1796 in Frankfort, this home saw many important Americans. It was the home of John Brown, a U.S. Senator.
  • Millspring (Georgetown) – Built in 1789, this was the home of Elijah Craig. He was known as the founder of Georgetown.
  • Moses Tyler Stone Cottage (Louisville) – This stone cottage was built in 1795. It was the home of Moses Tyler.
  • Old Governor's Mansion (Frankfort) – Built in 1796, this house is still in use today! It serves as the official home for the Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky. It is the oldest executive residence still used in the United States.
  • Zachary Taylor House (Louisville) – Built in 1790, this was the childhood home of Zachary Taylor. He later became the 12th President of the United States!

Homes from the 1800s

  • Ashland (Lexington) – This grand estate was built around 1806. It was the home of Henry Clay, a very important American statesman. He was a powerful politician in the early 1800s.
  • Conrad-Caldwell House (Louisville) – This amazing mansion was built in 1893. It's built in the Richardsonian style, which means it has big, strong stone walls and round arches. It looks like a castle!
  • Dinsmore Homestead (Boone County) – Built in 1841, this home shows both the Greek Revival and Federal styles. It gives us a look into life in the mid-1800s.
  • Farmington (Louisville) – Built in 1815, this home was designed based on ideas from Thomas Jefferson. It was the home of James Speed, who served as the U.S. Attorney General.
  • Hunt-Morgan House (Lexington) – Built in 1814, this house was home to John Wesley Hunt, who was one of the first millionaires west of the Allegheny Mountains. It was also the birthplace of Thomas Hunt Morgan, the only Kentuckian to win a Nobel Prize!
  • Jesse R. Zeigler House (Frankfort) – Built in 1910, this is the only building in Kentucky designed by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
  • Mary Todd Lincoln House (Lexington) – Built around 1803, this was the childhood home of Mary Todd Lincoln. She later became the First Lady of the United States when her husband, Abraham Lincoln, became president.
  • Orlando Brown House (Frankfort) – Built in 1835, this Greek Revival style home was designed by Gideon Shryock. He also designed the Kentucky State Capitol building.
  • Pope Villa (Lexington) – Built in 1811, this house was designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe. He was the architect for the U.S. Capitol Building! It was the home of John Pope.
  • Riverview at Hobson Grove (Bowling Green) – This beautiful Italianate-style mansion was built around the 1850s. It has a grand, fancy look.
  • Thomas Edison House (Louisville) – Built around the 1850s, this house was once home to the famous inventor Thomas Edison from 1866 to 1867. Imagine him thinking up new ideas here!
  • Ward Hall (Georgetown) – This very large and impressive home was built around 1857 for Junius and Matilda Viley Ward. It's a great example of grand architecture from that time.
  • Wickland (Bardstown) – Built in 1813, this house has a unique history. It was home to two different governors of Kentucky and even one governor of Louisiana!

Homes from the 1900s

More Historic Homes

Here are a few more historic homes in Kentucky, showing the variety of styles and stories across the state:

See also

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