My Old Kentucky Home State Park

State: Kentucky. Type: historic state park in Bardstown, Nelson County, centered on the Federal Hill mansion. Park spans 235 acres. Federal Hill built in two phases (rear section 1795, main structure completed 1818) for Judge John Rowan. Purchased by the "My Old Kentucky Home Commission" in 1922 and dedicated as a state site July 4, 1923; became an official Kentucky state park in 1936. Inspired Stephen Foster's 1853 song "My Old Kentucky Home," adopted as Kentucky's state song in 1928.

My Old Kentucky Home State Park preserves Federal Hill, the historic Bardstown mansion built for Judge John Rowan in the late 1700s and early 1800s, which hosted notable guests including the Marquis de Lafayette, Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay. Composer Stephen Foster, a cousin of the Rowan family, was an occasional visitor and is said to have drawn on Federal Hill when writing his 1853 ballad "My Old Kentucky Home," later adopted as Kentucky's official state song in 1928. The Kentucky commonwealth acquired the estate in 1922 through a dedicated preservation commission, formally dedicating it as a historic site on July 4, 1923, before it became a full state park in 1936. Today the 235-acre park combines guided mansion tours with an 18-hole golf course, a campground, and an amphitheater that has staged "The Stephen Foster Story," the state's longest-running outdoor musical drama, since 1959. Federal Hill's cultural weight extends beyond the park itself: the mansion appeared on a 1992 U.S. postage stamp and on Kentucky's 2001 state quarter.

The park is located at 501 E. Stephen Foster Avenue, Bardstown, in Nelson County, Kentucky, at an elevation of about 643 feet. Bardstown, the county seat, sits roughly 40 miles south of Louisville.

Bardstown has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters; record highs have reached 112°F and record lows have dropped to -26°F. Spring and fall generally offer the most comfortable conditions for touring the grounds.

Spring and fall bring milder weather for exploring the grounds and golf course, while summer aligns with the run of "The Stephen Foster Story" outdoor musical and the wider Kentucky Bourbon Festival season in Bardstown. Tours of the mansion run daily year-round, so timing can be driven more by musical/event schedules than by season.

Federal Hill was built in two phases for Judge John Rowan: a rear section in 1795 and the main five-bay, 7,501-square-foot structure completed in 1818. The mansion became a social and political hub, hosting figures such as the Marquis de Lafayette, Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay. Stephen Foster, a cousin of the Rowan family, visited occasionally, and though he may have drawn some inspiration from Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin," he named his 1853 ballad after the property. The "My Old Kentucky Home Commission" purchased Federal Hill in 1922 and transferred it to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, with an official dedication on July 4, 1923; it became a state park in 1936. "My Old Kentucky Home" became Kentucky's official state song in 1928. The park's amphitheater began staging "The Stephen Foster Story" in 1959, and Federal Hill's cultural significance was further marked by a commemorative 29-cent postage stamp in 1992 and its appearance on Kentucky's 2001 state quarter.

The main activity is a guided tour of the Federal Hill mansion interior and grounds, given on a first-come, first-served basis with a singing guide performing "My Old Kentucky Home" during the tour. Golfers can play the park's 18-hole Kenny Rapier Golf Course, which has its own pro shop. In the warmer months, the park's amphitheater stages "The Stephen Foster Story," Kentucky's longest-running outdoor musical drama, first performed in 1959.

The centerpiece is the Federal Hill mansion itself, along with its surrounding historic grounds. The park's amphitheater hosts "The Stephen Foster Story," and the visitor center includes conference space and a gift shop. The 18-hole Kenny Rapier Golf Course is a separate on-site attraction for visitors who golf.

The park sits in Bardstown, Nelson County, about 40 miles south of Louisville, making it an easy drive via US 31E/US 150 from Louisville or Lexington. The nearest larger commercial airport is Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. No public transit serves the park directly.

Mansion tours run daily on a first-come, first-served basis, with new tours starting every 60 minutes and the last tour of the day at 4 p.m., per the park's official visitor site. The campground operates seasonally, mid-March through mid-November; confirm current hours for the golf course and amphitheater performances separately.

As of research, mansion and grounds tour admission was $18 for adults (18-61), $15 for seniors (62+), $12 for children (6-17), free for children 5 and under, and $14 for veterans with ID. Golf course fees and amphitheater ticket prices for "The Stephen Foster Story" are set separately; check the park's official site for current rates.

A mansion tour with grounds takes about an hour; a half-day allows time to add the golf course or wander the grounds, and a full evening is needed to also see "The Stephen Foster Story" during its summer run.

The park itself has a 39-site campground open mid-March through mid-November. Beyond the park, Bardstown's historic downtown, a short drive away, has a range of hotels, inns and bed-and-breakfasts serving the town's bourbon-tourism trade.

Bardstown's historic downtown, close to the park, has a growing dining scene tied to its "Bourbon Capital of the World" reputation, ranging from casual to more upscale Southern-style restaurants, though this research did not confirm specific restaurant names.

Bardstown's historic downtown, including the Old Talbott Tavern (built 1779) and the Basilica of Saint Joseph Proto-Cathedral, is a short drive from the park. The area's Bourbon Trail distilleries, including Heaven Hill, Barton 1792, Willett and Lux Row, are among the region's other major draws.

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, roughly 40 miles north, is the nearest major commercial airport. A personal or rental vehicle is the practical way to reach and explore Bardstown and the park, since public transit options are limited.

As with any historic-home tour, follow posted guidance on what can be touched or photographed inside the mansion. Golfers should follow standard course etiquette and safety practices. For any emergency, dial 911.

Comfortable shoes for walking the grounds, a camera for the mansion and gardens, and golf equipment if planning to play the Kenny Rapier course (confirm rental availability in advance). Cash or a card for tour and event tickets is useful.

Because mansion tours run hourly with a last tour at 4 p.m., arriving with enough time before closing is important if you want to see the interior. Checking the amphitheater's summer schedule ahead of a visit is worthwhile if "The Stephen Foster Story" is a priority. Combining the park with a stop in Bardstown's historic downtown or a nearby bourbon distillery is a common way to round out a day.

Dial 911 for any emergency. The park's visitor and tour information line is (502) 348-3502; group sales can be reached separately at 502-564-1926.

My Old Kentucky Home State Park - https://www.visitmyoldkyhome.com

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This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.