Federal Hill was built in stages between 1812 and 1823.
Stephen Foster visited the Rowan family at the estate in 1852, which inspired his famous song.
The mansion and its surrounding 235 acres were donated to the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1922.
The estate features a 'hidden' staircase originally used by servants to move between floors.
The property contains a documented graveyard for the enslaved people who lived and worked on the plantation.
The mansion's architectural style is described as Federal-period, characterized by strict symmetry.
My Old Kentucky Home State Park centers on Federal Hill, an 1800s plantation estate constructed by John Rowan. The park serves as the site for the outdoor musical drama 'The Stephen Foster Story,' which has been performed annually since 1959. The main mansion is famous for its association with the Kentucky state song, 'My Old Kentucky Home,' written by Stephen Foster. The grounds feature a golf course, camping facilities, and landscaped gardens reflecting 19th-century design. The estate remains a preserved example of early Kentucky architecture, displaying original period furnishings and artifacts. It is located in Bardstown, historically known as a center of the bourbon industry. The park operates as a Kentucky State Park, maintaining the house and grounds for historical interpretation and public recreation.
The front entrance of Federal Hill mansion featuring the iconic white columns.
Book tour tickets online in advance as they are guided and fill up quickly.
Explore the walking paths around the golf course to see the exterior of the house from different angles.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the mansion tour involves navigating historic floor levels.
Do not expect to see the original musical manuscript of the state song on display, as it is housed in a separate archive.
The mansion is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays during the off-season; the outdoor theater production runs only during summer months.
Photography is strictly prohibited inside the historic mansion; respectful behavior is required throughout the memorial grounds.
