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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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NOTE:
The main House at Locust Grove
will be CLOSED to visitors from Monday,
July 6th through Friday, July 10th.
The site itself will be open - the grounds, gardens,
Visitors Center with the Museum Store and Exhibit
Gallery will all remain open. Admission will be
free. Visitors can see a film that gives a tour
of the 1790s House in place of the usual guided
tour. Closing is necessary because of the re-restoration
work - plasterers will be working on the main
hallways of the House during this week, and all
the doors will have to be blocked. We will re-open
the House on Saturday, July 11th.
To
keep you informed about our progress with the
re-restoration of the 1790 House's interior, we've
started at blog. Follow us at: http://locustgrovelouisville.blogspot.com/
Co-sponsored
with the Jane Austen Society of North America
- Greater Louisville Chapter:
 Jane
Austen Festival
July 18-19, 10 am-4:30
pm
Jane Austen (d. 1817) was a contemporary of George
Rogers Clark (d. 1818), and vividly described
a society similar the world of the elites of Clark's
day. Locust Grove, "Maj. Croghan's Seat",
built in the 1790s, is like the houses that Austen
would have been familiar with in the English countryside.
The Festival includes the Regency Emporium, a
Silent Auction, and the fabulous Regency Style
Show. New this year, a Period Sewing Techniques
class by historic re-enactor Kathleen Kannik (pre-registration
required). Afternoon Tea served each day on the
hour (pre-registration required). Featured author
is Margaret Sullivan, editrix of AustenBlog
and author of THE JANE AUSTEN HANDBOOK.
Common Stock will provide authentic entertainment
both days such as Old English Fairy tales portrayed
by shadow puppets, raree shows and more. Admission,
which includes a walk-through tour of Historic
Locust Grove, is $6. Afternoon Tea is $25 which
includes admission and requires a reservation.
To make inquiries, reservations, etc, email Bonny
Wise, Regional Coordinator, at wises4@insightbb.com
or call 502-727-3917. More information at www.jasnalouisville.com
 Renewing
Locust Grove/2009
Locust
Grove is beginning an exciting new 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 just about
to begin 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've
started at blog. Follow us at:
http://locustgrovelouisville.blogspot.com/
Local
filmmaker Brent Humes has made a short documentary
about Locust Grove - watch it on YouTube
 Locust
Grove's new gallery building and permanent exhibit
now open to the public
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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