Federal Hill

Jill's Journal: Our stay at the tiny state park in Bardstown is complete. The super friendly and helpful staff had a spot open up for us if we wanted to spend an extra night, but it would require moving the fifth wheel and the new spot was even smaller than the one we’d squeezed into two days ago. And getting out of the original spot was challenge enough all on its own! Luckily awesome truck driver (and former Navy fighter jet pilot) Johnny was back to help and we made it out with zero causalities to human or equipment. Johnny complimented Rob profusely, saying he didn’t know too many people who could have maneuvered the trailer into the spot in the first place and that Rob “has a real talent.”

Before leaving Bardstown, we took a family trip to Federal Hill, better known as the spot where My Old Kentucky Home was composed. It’s a Georgian-style mansion, built in various stages between 1795 and 1818. The grand house boasts a third-floor ballroom, 13 1/2 foot ceilings throughout, and 13-inch thick interior and exterior walls. There’s also 13 windows in the front of the house and each staircase has 13 stairs…all of which is believed to represent the 13 original colonies. The front hall is a copy of Independence Hall in Philadelphia. The family patriarch, son of a Revolutionary War captain, was a Secretary of State and Judge of the Court of Appeals. He entertained U.S. presidents Andrew Jackson, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, and Martin Van Buren at the home.

Stephen Foster, known as America’s first great composer, visited the home (of his cousins) in 1852 and was inspired to write what became Kentucky’s famous state song there. The song brings a tear to countless eyes annually as it is played during the post parade of each year’s renewal of the Kentucky Derby.

Foster, who was never formally trained and died at just 37, also wrote Florida’s state song, Swanee River, plus Oh! Susannah, Camptown Races, and about 200 more.

The mansion is beautiful and exquisitely restored. Only one family ever lived in the home (albeit several generations) and many original pieces remain, including the square grand piano with rare mother-of-pearl keys, a couch that President Andrew Jackson napped on, and the desk where Foster is believed to have composed My Old Kentucky Home. Really neat stuff.