3. Locust Grove – Louisville, Kentucky
Locust Grove is a storied Georgian mansion in the rolling hills of Louisville. Constructed in 1792, the same year Kentucky was granted statehood, the estate was a stepping-stone to the West, boasting visits from the likes of two presidents, explorers Lewis and Clark, and artist John James Audubon.
The final home of town founder George Rogers Clark, the town’s founder, Locust Grove is one of the oldest houses in Louisville. Tours shed light on the Clark family, famous visitors to the site, and the enslaved individuals who built and maintained the property.
Several outbuildings on the 55 acres include a hearth kitchen and a small farm distillery—complete with demonstrations on whiskey making. In the main house, Federal-period furnishings, wallpapers, and textiles reflect the style of the home’s heyday. As you stroll the manicured grounds, you’re sure to pass under the shade of a hardy locust tree.
Visit locustgrove.org for hours and admission information.
Photography by John O’Hagan
