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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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The
big BOOK SALE
is coming in March. Join us on March 12th-14th
for Louisville's biggest and best Used Book Sale,
in the Auditorium at Locust Grove. We are now
accepting donations of used books in good condition
- just bring them in during our open hours. Details
here.
Read
the full text of Gwynne
Pott's speech at the rededication of the George
Rogers Clark National Historic Site in Vincennes.
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/
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 2009 is available as a .pdf file
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