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Historic
Locust Grove
Louisville, Kentucky
 Locust
Grove is a National Historic Landmark on 55 acres
of the original 694 acre farm established by William
and Lucy Clark Croghan in 1790. William Croghan
was the brother-in-law and surveying partner of
George Rogers Clark, founder of Louisville and
Revolutionary War hero. George Rogers Clark spent
the last nine years of his life at Locust Grove,
from 1809 until his death in 1818.
Locust Grove also hosted three U.S. Presidents,
Monroe, Jackson and Taylor, and was a stopping
point for famed explorers Meriwether Lewis and
William Clark upon their return from their expedition
to the Pacific. In addition, Locust Grove was
home to numerous enslaved African-Americans who
lived and worked on the farm and contributed to
its success. Locust Grove tells the story of George
Rogers Clark, early Kentucky history, western
expansion and everyday life on the frontier.
Above, portrait of George
Rogers Clark by Matthew Jouett courtesy of The
Filson Historical Society
Locust Grove is owned by Louisville
Metro Government and operated by Historic
Locust Grove, Inc.
Learn
more about Locust Grove
 Locust
Grove is accredited by the American Association
of Museums.
Locust Grove is a National
Historic Landmark.
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Locust
Grove Glows in December
Candlelight
Tours: The Year is 1809 - Expanded Hours
- Now featuring George Rogers Clark
Friday and Saturday, December
11 & 12
Friday: 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.;
Saturday: 1:00 -
9:00 (expanded hours!)
New time period this year! We've turned the clock
back to the year 1809. George Rogers Clark has
just come to live at Locust Grove... the house
shines with the warmth of dozens of candles, as
the illustrious Clark and  Croghan
families greet their guests. The House is decorated
with holly and fruit according to custom. Out
in the kitchen, the cook directs the preparation
of the meals, while carpenters in the woodshop
finish repairs to farm tools. This wonderful family
event takes you back to an earlier time as you
tour Locust Grove under the glow of candlelight.
And it’s all at our regular prices
— $8 for general admission, $4 for children
6-12, free to children under 6 and members of
Locust Grove.
AND... this year treat your friends and family
to afternoon tea
on Saturday in the Visitor Center
Auditorium. Seatings are at 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00
pm. Assorted teas will accompany sandwiches, scones,
and sweets at each seating. The cost is $20 per
person ($15 for children 12 and under) which includes
admission to the Candlelight Tour. Reservations
required; call 897-9845 after Nov. 1st.
And,
also in the Auditorium, our Holiday
Book Sale, offering gift-quality
used and special books, perfect for gift-giving.
Friday and Saturday, 12 noon to 9 pm.
 Renewing
Locust Grove/2009
Locust
Grove is in the middle of an exciting project
- we are re-restoring the interior of the 1790s
home of William and Lucy Croghan. With support
from a preservation-minded foundation, we have
researched the paint and other finishes of the
rooms of the main house, then combined this new
information with documentary research, and we
are repainting, papering, replacing rugs and other
textiles, and re-interpreting the use of rooms
of the house.
We intend to remain OPEN throughout (unless safe
access through the House is not possible). This
means that you'll be able to see the work of transformation
as it happens, and ask questions about the research,
the techniques, and the new interpretations of
the world that the Croghans and Clarks made at
Locust Grove. At times, some rooms may be unavailable,
or unfurnished, or even unfinished, but it's all
part of the process. Each tour will be unique
and memorable.
To
keep you informed about our progress with the
re-restoration of the 1790 House's interior, we're
blogging at: http://locustgrovelouisville.blogspot.com/
Read
about our recent Jane Austen Festival on Austenblog.
Local filmmaker Brent Humes has made a short documentary
about Locust Grove - watch it on YouTube
 Locust
Grove's permanent exhibit
The building expands the area available for interpretation
of the American Revolution in the West and the
people who settled and built this region. The
exhibit also focuses on the surveying work of
George Rogers Clark, Louisville’s founder,
and his brother-in-law, William Croghan, who built
Locust Grove.
A recreated surveyors’ office exhibit in
the 1810 log building is incorporated into the
new exhibition, which is called “A Country
Worth Defending: Land & Family in Early Kentucky.”
Other
sections of the exhibit look at the interactions
of the Croghan family and their enslaved workers
in the daily life of an early Kentucky farm.
 The
new building wing was designed by JRA Architects
of Louisville, and the exhibit was created by
the award-winning local firm Solid Light. Funds
for the project were raised by Historic Locust
Grove, Inc., a private non-profit organization,
but the building is owned by the people of Louisville
through Metro Parks. The new wing of the building
includes collections storage space and offices
as well as the gallery.
 Visit
the
Kentucky Tourism and the Derby
Region websites for more information about
visiting the area.
To add your name to our email
mailing list, send an email message to
Bonny Wise.
Let us know which events or programs you are most
interested in, or ask to receive all emails. This
gives you first notice and reminders of upcoming
events and programs, and cuts down on costs for
us. Thanks!
Links to
associated organizations & sites
Locust
Grove's Annual
Report for 2008 is available as a .pdf file
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