Number One London: LOCUST GROVE KENTUCKY

Also from the website: "This c.1792 Georgian mansion tells the story of its builders, William and Lucy Clark Croghan, and the story of American beginnings. William and Lucy Clark Croghan, along with Lucy’s brother, General George Rogers Clark, welcomed a generation of American luminaries to their home to rest, dialogue, campaign, and duel. Presidents James Monroe and Andrew Jackson, John James Audubon, Cassius Marcellus Clay, and Lewis and Clark—among others—all passed through Locust Grove. Now a National Historic Landmark, Locust Grove is a unique example of early Kentucky architecture, craftsmanship, and history."

The garden was moving into its post-harvest phase.

The silver coffee and tea service was made in Philadelphia with the family crest.

Dining Room, as it was in 1811

Small parlor, as of 1815

Again, the drawing room wallpaper is worthy of note.

The imported Brussels carpet is particularly fine.

Bedroom of George Rogers Clark from 1809 until his death in 1818

More fascinating wallpaper, with an American Revolutionary theme

These walls of the Farm Office are painted in verdigris, which was explained as an odiferous compound in which one part was urine or excrement. Rarely used in bedroom I presume.

Central Hall on the Ground Floor

Family Guest Room: I found the striped carpeting interesting.

Great Parlour on the second floor, as of 1811, used for family gatherings, as a ballroom, for playing games and many other activities.

According to the website, " The fortepiano was made by Broadwood in London in 1806

and is still used for concerts."

The wallpaper is a reproduction of the original Arabesque pattern.

The Rose Room, with cradle, below

Above and below, the third floor girl's bedroom

Above and below third floor boy's bedroom

From the website: "In this room, out of our usual time frame, it’s the 1840s. This represents the history of the house after William Croghan’s death in 1822, when the next generations moved in and out of the shared house. This room focuses on John Croghan (the eldest son), and his work as a doctor and as the owner of Mammoth Cave."

Third floor Storage Room (wish I had one of these)

In the Museum, a portrait of General George Rogers Clark by Matthew Jouett, ca. 1825

Also in the Museum, a dollhouse model of the house

Text Panels n the Museum tell the story of the farm, the family, and early life in 18th century Kentucky, as well as the story of General Clark and William Clark, a cousin who explored to the Pacific with Meriwether Lewis in 1804-06.

Family Quilt made for the museum

Approximation of an 18th C. Surveyor's Cabin, such as William Groghan would have built on his property; remnants of such a building were discovered in the garden a few years ago.

The kitchen is in a nearby outbuilding, as would have been usual in the 18th C.

Above and below, other views of the kitchen

Adjacent to the kitchen is a room set up for a servant or a slave, above and below.

showing the outbuildings (right) and cellar door

above and below, cabin built in 1815

Take a virtual tour of Locust Grove here.

To read about slave life at Locust Grove, click here.

Locust Grove is a National Historic Landmark, operated by a foundation for the City of Louisville.

If you can make it to Louisville, be sure to consult the on-line schedule of events, and visit when the place is teeming with reenactors, antique dealers and/or more tourists!