Loudoun House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Loudoun House
|
|
Front of the house
|
|
 Location in Kentucky
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Corner of Bryan Avenue and Castlewood Drive Lexington, Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Area | 3 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Built | 1851 |
| Built by | John McMurtry |
| Architect | Alexander Jackson Davis |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000798 |
| Added to NRHP | February 6, 1973 |
The Loudoun House is a famous building located in Lexington, Kentucky. It is known as one of the biggest and best examples of Gothic Revival style in the state. This beautiful house was designed by a New York architect named Alexander Jackson Davis. It was built in 1851 for Francis Key Hunt, who was named after his mother's cousin, Francis Scott Key, who wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner."
What is Gothic Revival Architecture?
Gothic Revival is a style of building that became popular in the 1800s. It looks back to the medieval Gothic style of churches and castles from hundreds of years ago. Buildings in this style often have pointed arches, tall windows, and sometimes even towers or battlements, like a castle! The Loudoun House is a great example of this style, especially because it has a "castellated" look, meaning it looks a bit like a small castle.
Building a Dream Home
Francis Key Hunt and his wife, Julia Warfield, received 50 acres of land from Julia's parents when they got married. Later, after a serious illness took his father, Francis Hunt inherited a lot of money. He decided to use some of this money to build a grand home.
Hunt was inspired by another large house in New York City. He wrote to A. J. Davis, the architect, who then designed a special Gothic Revival house for him. Hunt hired a builder from Lexington named John McMurtry to construct the house. The project was expected to cost about $10,000, but it ended up costing three times that amount and took four years to finish! Francis Hunt named the house "Loudoun" because his wife loved the song "The Bells of Loudon."
Loudoun House Today
The Loudoun House is very important historically. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's recognized as a special place that should be protected. It's also one of only five "castellated" Gothic Revival houses designed by Alexander Jackson Davis that are still standing in the United States.
Today, the Loudoun House is home to the Lexington Art League. This means it's still a lively place where art and creativity are celebrated!
