While at Bardstown touring the Bourbon Trail, I set up camp at My Old Kentucky Home State Park. The park itself will be a subject of a later post, but I was so struck by the story of the home itself, I wanted to spend some time recording it.
The story of Federal Hill, the original name of both the house and the farm, is somewhat tragic, but also ties to a lot of Kentucky and U.S. History.
Let me start off by saying this is not the home of Stephen Foster, the author of that famous song. He was a cousin to the Rowan family, who built the house, and was an occasional visitor. It was partially due to these visits the Foster wrote My Old Kentucky Home, which became the state anthem of Kentucky, and led the state to purchase the home, rename it and build the state park.
John Rowan, patriarch of the clan, was quite the accomplished individual. Lawyer, judge, ambassador, U.S. Senator, college president and farmer were among his titles. He was father to nine. And was prominent in the social circles of the time. Federal Hill was a popular stop for many well known names including Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay and the Marquis de Lafayette.
Side note #1: Rowan was involved in a duel . It seems that he and another man had gotten into an argument while playing cards. One account has that the disagreement was over who was better at ancient languages. Even though Rowan apologized and tried to refuse the duel, the other party insisted. Despite both missing the first shot (witnesses said both missed on purpose), Rowan mortally wounded his adversary on the second round. He was later arrested for the offense, but was released when the judge announced there wasn't enough evidence to convict .
Rowan the senior saw eight of his family lost within 36 hours during an outbreak of Cholera. It seems that all of them, as well as another eight slaves, were in attendance at a party, and water served came from a well that was contaminated. Three of John's children died in that tragic event.
Another of John Sr.'s children, John Jr., also came to an early end. Sometime after inheriting Federal Hill upon his father's death, John Jr. was attending to one of his children who had fallen ill. During the night, Jr. opened a window in his daughters' bedroom and sat at the sill to cool off. He fell asleep sitting on the ledge, and when awakened by a call from his wife, and unaware of his circumstances, turned the wrong way and fell from the second story window. He later succumbed to his injuries.
A last tragedy associated with My Old Kentucky Home did not occur there. Stephen Foster himself died young at 37. According to some accounts the man who wrote over 200 songs and is called the father of American music fell down the stairs in a hotel in New York City, cut his neck, and later died in Bellevue hospital.
The members of the Rowan family are buried in a family cemetery that visitors pass on the way to the home. Tours of the home are provided by guides in period dress and also sing the famous song. It's a fascinating way to immerse oneself in the history of the site, particularly since all of the furnishings are original to the house - something rare.
Side note #2: Legend has it than John Sr. insisted that he not have a headstone on his grave. His parents had been buried without one and he didn't want to be better than them. The family later disregarded his wishes and had a monument erected to the patriarch. It's said that the headstone regularly topples over, a sign that the old man is pushing back. The tall obelisk on the right in the picture above is his. Does it look like it's leaning to you?
And #3: Sorry for the lack of interior photos. They're not allowed. Guess you'll just have to experience this one yourself!
In addition to the home, My Old Kentucky Home State Park also has a campground and golf course. The former is where I stayed during my visit and the later holds regular tournaments (including one scramble that started with a loud train whistle at 8:00 am Friday morning during my stay. Fun way to wake up!)
At one end of the park is an outdoor theater where the play "The Stephen Foster Story" is put on during the summer, as well as other productions and concert events. Sadly, the theater was was closed when I was there, although Butch and Mary Jo, a nice couple who were my neighbors (and domino competitors, but that's another story) told me "The Stephen Foster Story" was well done, although "depressing" (I wonder why?)
That's it for now. This week is all travel as I make my way over to Gettysburg and Antietam I'm also finishing up my fall travel plans. So far, I plan to make my way down through Virginia with stops at Bull Run and Appomattox , then head back home in time for election day. For next week's post, I think I'll do campground reviews for the sites I've visited this summer. Until then...
Later, folks.
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