Oakwood Estate facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Alpheus Lewis House
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 Location in Kentucky
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Winchester, Kentucky |
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| Built | 1820 |
| MPS | Clark County MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 79003590 |
| Added to NRHP | August 1, 1979 |
The Oakwood Estate is a historic house located in Winchester, Kentucky. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. This is a special list of places in the United States that are important to history. The house is known as the Alpheus Lewis House on this list.
Oakwood is a one-story house built on a raised basement. It features details from the Greek Revival style. This style was popular in the early 1800s and looks a bit like ancient Greek temples. The house sits near Stoner Creek, a short distance from Wades Mill Road.
Who Lived at Oakwood?
The Oakwood house was built around 1820. It was home to Alpheus Lewis Sr., his wife, and their nine children. Alpheus Lewis Sr. was born in 1799. His father was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He was also a member of the House of Burgesses, which was an early form of government in Virginia.
Alpheus Lewis Sr.'s father owned a large amount of land, about 3,000 acres (about 12 square kilometers). He divided this land among his sons. Alpheus Lewis Sr. built his house on his share of the land and later named it Oakwood. He also started a successful business called "A. Lewis and Sons," which made and sold wine.
A Brave Civil War Story
The most famous story about Oakwood and the Lewis family involves Alpheus Lewis Sr.'s son, Alpheus Lewis Jr., who was also known as "Ack." Ack became a Captain in the Civil War.
One day, Captain Ack Lewis had important papers to deliver to a Confederate General named Braxton Bragg. His journey took him past his parents' home, Oakwood. He decided to stop there for a short visit.
His mother was very careful. She sent their trusted servant, Wash, to stand outside and watch for any Union troops. Around two in the morning, Wash gave a signal that Union soldiers were coming. They were looking for Ack.
Mrs. Lewis quickly threw Ack's dirty Confederate uniform into the fire. Then, she hid him in a secret wine cellar. There was a hidden trapdoor that led to it. Just as she finished, the Union troops knocked on the door, demanding to search the house.
Mrs. Lewis answered the door and welcomed them inside. She was very polite and offered them some of the best wines from their cellars. It is said that she treated the soldiers so well that they only searched part of the house before leaving. After they left, Ack came out of the cellar and safely escaped.
Oakwood Today
Today, the Oakwood house is showing its age. The building has some problems and is not as strong as it once was. However, in the backyard, you can still see a special fence. This fence is made entirely of stone, which is quite rare to find.
Behind this stone fence are the graves of Alpheus Lewis Sr. and his wife, Theodosia. They rest there, marking the long history of the Oakwood Estate.
- Winchester Sun article
- Excerpt from the diary of Theodosia Lewis
