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Visit Bardstown
Welcome to Lebanon/Marion County
Marion County Country Ham Days
Springfield
Marion County
Holy Cross Church 3560 Saint Francis Rd.,
Loretto 40037. The cradle of Catholicism in Kentucky~ Holy Cross was settled in
the early 1780's by a group of Catholic families from Maryland, and it was near
the site of the church that Father Whelan said the first Mass in Kentucky. The
first Catholic Church west of the Allegheny Mountains was built here in 1792.
The present Holy Cross Church was erected by Rev. Nerinckx in 1823, the last of
ten churches he built in Kentucky. 270-865-2521.
Loretto Motherhouse Nerinx, KY 40049. 16 miles SE of Bardstown on KY
152,1 mile off KY 49 near Loretto. 8:30-5 daily. The Sisters of Loretto was
founded in 1812 for the education of pioneer children. The Motherhouse features
sculptures, artwork and many grand old buildings. 270-865-5811.
Myrtledene Bed & Breakfast 370 N Spalding Ave.
Lebanon 40033. Built in 1833, this Victorian home was headquarters for
General John Hunt Morgan in July 1862, who once rode his horse up the stairs.
Designated a KY landmark. 800-391-1721.
Nelson County
Abbey Of Gethsemani 3642 Monks Rd., Trappist,
KY, 40051,10 miles south of Bardstown. Founded by French Trappists Monks in
1848, the cloistered community holds public masses daily. The order sells
cheese, fruitcake and bourbon fudge through the mail. 502-549-3117 or http://www.monks.org/
Heritage Hall, Sisters of Charity Box 34, Nazareth, KY 40048. Two miles east of Bardstown, the Hall is located at the Nazareth Campus. A museum celebrates the story and mission of the Sisters of Charity since 1812. Interpretive exhibits illustrate the leader-ship of the Sisters in areas of education, health care and social service. 502-348-1545.
My Old Kentucky Home 501 E Stephen Foster, Bardstown 40004. Federal Hill was the inspiration for Stephen Foster's ballad, "My Old Kentucky Home." Today this mansion is as endearing to visitors as it was in 1852 when Foster was inspired to write the song. 502-348-3502 or http://www.kystateparks.com/
St Joseph's Proto-Cathedral 310W Stephen Foster Ave., Bardstown 40004. Mon.-Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-3, Sun, 1-5. Admission charged. First Catholic Cathedral west of the Allegheny Mts. Circa 1819, a national landmark listed by the US Library of Congress. 502-348-3126.
Old Nelson County Jail 111 W Stephen Foster Ave., Bardstown 40004. Open 10-6, closed Jan.-Feb. Admission. Oldest operating jail in state until 1987. B & B available. 800-948-5551.
Talbott Tavern/McLean House Court Sq., Bardstown 40004. Lunch 11-4, Dinner 5-9. Tavern built in 1779, oldest western stagecoach stop in America. McLean house built in 1814-15, served as a hospital in the Civil War. Bed & Breakfast available. 800-482-8376.
The Mansion 9 1/2 blocks N of the Courthouse, Bardstown 40004. Open every day except Christmas. Admission charged. Tours at 1 & 5 by reservation. Beautiful Greek Revival mansion circa 1851, decorated in period antiques. National Register of Historic Places. B & B available. 800-399-2586.
Wickland 550 Bloomfield Rd., Bardstown 40004. The home of three Governors. Tours by reservation only. Superb architecture, unusual antique furnishings. Built in 1817.502-348-4877.
Washington County
Elizabeth Maddox Robert's House N Walnut
St., Springfield 40069. The home of well known novelist Elizabeth Maddox
(1881-1941). Her best known works include: The Great Meadow, The Time of Man, He
Sent Forth a Raven and Black is My True Love's Hair Elmwood On Lebanon Hill,
Springfield 40069. Built in 1851 by Wm. S. Davison and owned during the Civil
War by Hugh McElroy. In October 1862, Union forces moved through Springfield
before the Battle of Perryville. Gen. Don Carlos Buell made his headquarters
here and forced the owner's son to map water sources in the area because of a
bad drought.
Glenmar Plantation Bed & Breakfast 2444 Valley Hill Rd., Springfield 40069. Circa 1785, Glenmar is furnished with antiques. Grounds have slave quarters, stone fences, perennial gardens, walking paths, cupo-las and animals. National Register of Historic Places. 606-284-7791.
Main Street, Springfield 60,000 Confederate and Union forces traversed Main St. on their way to the Battle of Perryville.
Maple Hill Manor Bed & Breakfast 2941 Perryville Rd., Springfield 40069. Beautiful Greek Revival mansion circa 1851, is lavished in Italianate detail on 14-tranquil acres. National Register of Historic Places. 800-886-7546.
St. Rose Priory 1/2 mile off US 150, Springfield 40069. Founded in 1806, it was the first Catholic educational institution west of the Alleghenies. One of the famous names on its roster is that of Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy. 606-336-3810.
St. Catharine 2 miles west of Springfield on US 150. Established in
1822, it was the first community of the Dominican Sisters in the US. It is today
Mother Community of the Order and the home of St. Catharine
College.
606-336-5082.
House of History The oldest house still
standing in Springfield was built of logs in 1800 by John Thompson, whose wife
was first cousin to Nancy Hanks. Here the noted silversmith David H. Spears,
fashioned flatware for dining and in 1860 James P
Calhoun boasted that he
cast the one vote tallied in Washington County for Abraham Lincoln.
Jesse Head Homesite In June 1792, the pioneer citizens knew their courthouse would be at the crossroads on the "Big Road" from Bardstown to Danville and the Frankfort -Nashville stage route. "Lot No.10", was from High St. to Court Square, was prime property. Jesse Head, cabinet maker and Methodist minister, who married Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks, was the first owner. From 1810-1850, it was a tavern and in 1897 the lot was divided and Mary Duncan built a large Victorian house.
The Pope House Walnut & High Sts., Springfield 40069. Built in 1839, in the Georgian Colonial style by John Pope, representative and senator from Kentucky and third governor of the territory of Arkansas. He resided here from 1819 until his death in 1845.
Parker's Landing Around 1790, a Revolutionary War colonel from Virginia, Richard Parker, operated a ware-house and shipping port on Beechfork River and a tav-ern on this plantation on the "Big Road" from Bardstown to Danville. After Parker's death in 1799, Thomas Hamilton, the Maryland pioneer, bought the extensive property. In 1807, his son Alexander inherit-ed this section of the estate. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Walton Homestead Located on US 150E, Springfield 40069. This 1784 homesite was built by Gen. Matthew Walton, founder of Washington County.
Washington County Courthouse Main & Cross Sts.,
Springfield 40069. Open Mon.-Fri. 8:30-4:30, Sat. 9-12. Completed in 1816, it is
the oldest court-house still in use in KY. Among the records, which date from
1792, is the certificate of marriage of Thomas and Nancy Hanks Lincoln, as well
as many other documents.
Marion County 
Maker's Mark Distillery KY 52E,
Loretto, 18 miles SE of Bardstown, less than 9 miles NW of Lebanon on KY
52.
Tours Mon.-Sat. year-round 10:30-3:30, Sun.1 :30-3:30, hourly on the half hour.
Open holidays except Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New
Years Day. Feel as though you have stepped back in time. The Samuels family has
been making whiskey since 1840. It's the oldest continuously operating
distillery that is a National Historic Landmark. Gift gallery and bourbon sales
in visitor center. 270-865-2099.
Nelson County Heaven Hill Distillery KY 49, Loretto Rd., Bardstown 40004. Open year-round. Mon.-Fri., tours at 10:30 & 2:30. The home of Heaven Hill, Evan Williams, and Elijah Craig bourbons. The largest and one of the few family owned distilleries in the country. 502-348-3921 ext. 457
Old Bardstown Village Civil War Museum 310 E. Broadway, Bardstown 40004. Open Marl-Dec. 15, Mon.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 12-5. Jan.-Feb. weekends only. Groups by appointment. Admission charged, group rates, under 6 free. Regular tour by experienced guides of authentic Civil War artifacts including north & south artillery, cavalry, medical, musical and infantry items. 502-349-0291.
Kentucky Railway Museum Located in the heart of New Haven, this museum also offers a 22-mile train ride on restored rail cars. The museum is open Mon.-Sat. 9-5, Sun. 12-5.502-549-5470.
Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History & Bardstown Historical Museum
114 N. 5th St., Bardstown 40004. Nov-Apr., Tues.-Sat. 10-4, Sun.1-4, May-Oct.,
Mon.-Sat. 9-5, Sun. 1-5. Both museums located in historic Spalding Hall,
ca.1826. 502-348-2999.
Marion County
Downtown Lebanon Historic District
Lebanon's downtown historic district is on the National Historic Register and is
on Kentucky's Scenic Highway and Byway 68. There are antique shops and an arts
& craft cooperative featuring the works of local and other Kentucky
artisans.
Nelson County
Downtown Bardstown Historic District Downtown
Bardstown Historic Shopping District. Located along Third Street and Flaget
Avenue, this district contains numerous antique shops and more than 25 specialty
shops. Most are housed in historic buildings that are included in a downtown
walking tour. 502-348-4877.
Washington County
Valley Hill Store 65 Valley Hill Rd. at
KYSS, Springfield 40069. Restored 1880's country store part of the Historic
Valley Hill District. 606-336-0255.
Springfield Historic District Springfield 40069.
Established in
1793, provides modern services in an historic atmosphere. Many buildings date
from the 1880's and some facades conceal older log or frame business houses.
Springfield, a KY Hall of Fame City, is laid out on the lands of Gen. Matthew
Walton, a Virginia gentleman, surveyor, politician and founding father. Both
Main St. and Walnut Ave. have been designated National Historic Districts.
Marion County
Marion County Public Library 201 East
Main St., Lebanon 40033. Open Tues.-Thur. evenings till 8. There is a large
genealogy room located in the new addition of the Marion County Public Library.
270-692-4698.
Nelson County
Nelson County Library Court Square, Bardstown
40004. Ask for the special genealogy section. Property deeds are located in the
Courthouse Annex at 109 E Stephen Foster Ave., Bardstown 40004.
Washington County
Washington County Courthouse Main St., US
150, Springfield 40069.606-336-5425.
Washington County Public Library 210 E Main St., Springfield 40069. 606-336-7655.
Washington County Historical & Genealogy Society
Marion County
Lebanon Historic Homes & Landmarks
Tour
This brochure features many homes with Civil War significance and
has been included on THE CIVIL WAR DISCOVERY TRAIL. This is a self guided tour
but with advance notice a docent will be a tour guide explaining the Civil War
history in Lebanon.
Nelson County Around-The-Town-Carriage 98 Court Square, Bardstown 40004. Open daily 11-11. A narrated tour through historic Bardstown on horse drawn carriage. 502-348-0331.
Bardstown Tour Mobile 107 E Stephen Foster, Bardstown 40004. June-Aug., Mon.-Sat. 9:30 & 1. FREE introductory tour of historic district including a visit to Heaven Hill Distillery.
Bardstown Historic Walking Tour 107 E Stephen Foster, Bardstown 40004. Self guided tour past more than 45 historic homes and monuments.
Marion County
Fagan Branch Reservoir/Cecil L. Gorely
Naturalist Walking Trail The 3.2-mile trail around the reservoir is a great
environment for hiking, bird watching, nature studies, and physical fitness
activities. Great fishing lake for trolling motors only.
Graham Memorial Park/Lebanon Aquatic Center
525 Graham Memorial
Dr., Lebanon 40033. Graham Memorial Park is a 34-acre park featuring outdoor
light-ed tennis courts, fitness trail, picnic pavilion, gazebo, playground and
the year round aquatic center offering activities to all skill levels and ages.
During the summer months, the Lebanon Aquatic Center features an out-door water
slide and outdoor wading pool for children. 270-692-9358.
Nelson County
Cedar-Fil Golf Course 4 miles west of
Bardstown on KY 245.18 holes. 502-348-8981.
Holiday Inn Par 3,9-Hole Golf Course & Driving Range US 31 E S at Bluegrass Pkwy., Bardstown 40004.502-348-9253.
May Wood Golf Course 130 N May Wood Ave. on US 150, Bardstown 40004.502-348-6600.
My Old Kentucky Home State Park Golf Course
Loretto Rd. KY 49,
Bardstown 40004.502-348-6542.
Woodlawn Springs Golf Club 103 Wood Hill Rd., Bardstown 40004.18 holes. 502-348-2200
Washington County
Lincoln Homestead State Park 5 miles N of
Springfield on KY 528 and 438, April-October. The original Lincoln country where
the Lincoln family settled in 1782. This is where the President's parents grew
up and married. Includes a reproduction of the Lincoln cabin and the Berry
house, home of Nancy Hanks. 606-336-7461. The original Berry Home has been moved
from the Beechland section about a mile away and preserved here. Nancy Hanks
lived in this home when she was courted by Thomas Lincoln. In the large living
room before the immense fireplace Thomas proposed to Nancy. It is furnished with
pioneer relics of the Lincoln I Age. On display are copies of the Marriage Bond
of Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks Park has championship golf course, fishing,
playground, and picnic facili-ties. Home of Mordecai Lincoln and other historic
sites nearby.
Located on KY 528, 4 miles from Springfield. Built in 1797 by
Mordecai Lincoln, an uncle of Abraham Lincoln. It is the only remaining
residence known to been owned and occupied by a member of the Lincoln family
still standing on its original site. Listed on the National Register of Historic
Places. 606-336-7461. Mt. Zion Covered Bridge The bridge circa 1871, located on
KY 458, spans the Little Beech Fork River. It is the longest multi-span in KY on
the National Register. Closed to traffic.
Williamsburg Lake Off KY 155,11 miles N of Springfield. 26-acres. Dam
completed in 1969. Fishing, ramp (fee), dock, boat rental and camping.
606-375-4258.
Marion County
"Hoofprints on the
Stairs" A Civil War
musical drama depicting Lebanon's role in the Civil War, held in July on the
grounds of Myrtledene, General John Hunt Morgan's headquarters during one of his
raids on Lebanon. 270-692-2223 or 800-391-1721.
Nelson County
"Stephen Foster -The
Musical" J. Dan
Talbott Amphitheatre, Bardstown 40004. Nightly except Mon., 8pm, June-Labor Day.
Sat. Matinees at 2pm, indoor theatre. Outdoor musical drama about the life of
Stephen Foster featuring many of his famous melodies, enhanced by beautiful
costumes and live dances of the period. 800-626-1563.
"Live at the Park" Concert Series J. Dan Talbott Amphitheater.
Bardstown 40004. Selected Monday nights from June through August. Various
recording performers entertaining during the one off-night. 800-626-1563.
April
Farm, Home, & Garden Show, Lebanon, 270-692-9594
Antique Show & Sale, Bardstown, 502-348-8503
May
Arts in the Park, Lebanon, 270-692-3721
Pioneer Craft Day,
Bardstown, 502-349-0291
Memorial Day Celebration, Lebanon, 270-692-9233 or
270-692-4827
"Stephen Foster-The Musical"
June
Kentucky Homecoming, Bardstown, 800-638-4877
Old Mill
Days, Bradfordsville, 270-337-2085
July
Whiskey City Cruisers Car Exhibit & Parade, Bardstown,
502-348-4877
Marion County Fair, Lebanon, 270-692-2421 or 270-692-9594
Raywick Homecoming, Raywick, 270-692-9067 or 270-692-2208, ext. 230
August
"Civil War" Living History Weekend, Bardstown, 502-349-0279
September
Iron Horse Festival, New Haven, 502-549-8955 Kentucky
Bourbon Festival, Bardstown, 800-638-4877
Marion County Country Ham Days,
Lebanon, 270-692-9594
October
Arts, Crafts, & Antique Fair, Bardstown, 800-638-4877
Tobacco Festival, Bloomfield, 502-252-8330 Great American Outhouse Blowout,
Gravel Switch,
606-332-7715 or 606-332-7706
Washington Co. Sorghum &
Tobacco Festival & Fair, Springfield, 606-336-3810
November
Candlelight Tours of My Old Kentucky Home, 800-323-7803
Christmas 'Round Bardstown, 800-638-4877 Dickens Christmas, Lebanon,
270-692-9594
December
Burley Tobacco Auctions, Lebanon, 270-692-3351
Bardstown-Nelson County Tourist Commission
107 East Stephen Foster,
Bardstown, KY 40004
1-800-638-4877
Lebanon-Marion County
Chamber of Commerce
21 Court Square, Lebanon,
KY 40033
270-692-9594
Springfield-Washington County
Chamber of Commerce
112 Cross Main
Street, Springfield, KY 40069
606-336-3810