Stephen Foster Statue 6/20/07

Stephen Collins Foster's music is part of every American's culture. He composed lasting popular songs including "Beautiful Dreamer," "Oh! Susanna," "Swanee River," and, of course, "My Old Kentucky Home". This statue in the middle of My Old Kentucky Home State Park shows Foster holding a flute.

My Old Kentucky Home 6/20/07

This 1816 mansion was part of the estate of John Rowan, U. S. Senator from Kentucky. The location was known as Federal Hill and Rowan used it to entertain famous guests such as Henry Clay and Aaron Burr. However, Stephen Foster, cousin of the Rowans, is considered its most famous visitor, since it was here that Foster wrote the beautiful ballad My Old Kentucky Home .

Abraham Lincoln's Boyhood Home 6/20/07

Just down the road from Bardstown, is Lincoln's boyhood home at Knob Creek. Lincoln's father's farm was situated on one of the earliest roads running between present day Louisville and Nashville. Although Lincoln's family left Kentucky for Indiana in 1816, Lincoln wrote about many events from his boyhood in this beautiful valley.

Lincoln Cabin Sign 6/20/07

The sign explains the historical significance of the cabin. The cabin and grounds are operated by the National Park Service.

Old Bardstown Village at the Civil War Museum 6/20/07

Old Bardstown Village is a reproduction of a 1790s frontier community. These log buildings include homes, shops and a replica of Brown's Mill which was located on the creek shown here about one hundred yards downstream. This village represents the early lifestyle of migrants from seaboard colonies who came west seeking land and fortune.

Civil War Museum - Bardstown, Kentucky 6/20/07

This photo shows me standing outside the Civil War Museum, which is within walking distance of downtown Bardstown. A designated Kentucky Educational Facility, the museum houses artifacts such as photos, uniforms, cannons, flags, medical equipment and personal items. Union and Confederate uniforms hang side by side. Although we were not able to take photographs inside the museum, it was an interesting place to learn about the history of the Civil War.

John Fitch Monument on Bardstown Square 6/19/07

In 1927 the U. S. Government erected this monument to honor the historical contributions of John Fitch, the inventor of the steamboat. Fitch came to Kentucky as a land surveyor. He died in Bardstown in 1798 and his remains are buried at this site.

Steamboat Replica on Bardstown Square 6/19/07

The era of the steamboat began in America in 1787 when John Fitch made the first successful trial of a steamboat on the Delaware River on August 22, 1787, in the presence of members of the Constitutional Convention. This replica of Fitch's early model stands next to the Fitch Monument on Bardstown Square.

Lincoln Room at the Talbott Tavern 6/19/07

This room is named for Abraham Lincoln, who stayed at the Talbott Tavern when he was 13 with his parents who had come to town to settle a land dispute.

Historic Talbott Tavern 6/19/07

Talbott Tavern was built in 1779 and is the oldest western stagecoach stop in America. We stayed here for one night at the beginning of our trip south. Many famous figures from history are said to have spent the night in the tavern, which now has 5 rooms available for overnight guests.

Bardstown, Kentucky 6/19/07

Bardstown is Kentucky's second oldest city, settled in the 1700s. Although its principal industry is distilling, the town is full of Civil War history and is also the home of Stephen Foster.