Bardstown & My Old Kentucky Home

This post was post-dated to reflect the actual day of the visit. Poor internet connectivity made it impossible to post it in a timely manner!

We toured My Old Kentucky Home State Park in Bardstown, KY. It was named from the song of the same name. Stephen Foster who wrote the song was a frequent visitor to this mansion. The home belonged to Judge Rowan. It is obvious from the lyrics of the song that Foster enjoyed his visits here.
This statue shows Stephen Foster with his flute. Although most of us associate Foster with piano, a piano is not easy to travel with so he carried a flute to try out his tunes.

The guide was very informative and added a lot of detail to the tour.
The grave of Judge Rowan is a prominent feature of the family cemetery on the grounds.
The Rowan mansion originally had three full floors, but a fire destroyed the third floor and when it was rebuilt they only made a loft where the third floor had been. The two bottom floors had thirteen foot ceilings. On the outside several red stars are located at the top of each floor. Through these stars large threaded rods pass from one side of the house to the other. These rods are positioned on all sides. A nut is used at the end of each rod to tighten up the house. It must be done a couple of times a year. If this is not done then the brick walls could fall outward and collapse.
Russ and Tom check out the New Carriage House while John and Gayla are seen in the foreground.
Several carriages are on display inside the carriage house.
This is the Old Carriage House. When it was built it was the talk of the community. People couldn't believe anyone would build such a strange carriage house. The New Carriage House was built to end the local gossip. It is now used as a place for outdoor gatherings such as weddings.

This beautiful old Magnolia was near the New Carriage House. We all commented about the odd shape of this Magnolia.

Touring My Old Kentucky Home State Park left us all quite hungry. We went to the soda fountain at the Hurst Drug Store on the town square on the recommendation of the clerk at the gift shop at the park. It was great advice! They serve old fashioned hamburgers and make milk shakes from scratch like they used to do.

"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so I would have told you. I go prepare a place for you. And if I go prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am , there you may be also." John 14: 2-3