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Historical sites in Central Kentucky

By tom eblen | teblen@herald-leader.com

• Basics: A guide to finding necessities in Lexington
• Plan a one-day, three-day or five-day trip
• Great restaurants and Kentucky's signature foods
• The best bars in Central Kentucky
• Scenic drives
• Fun activities for families with children
• Places to hike and enjoy nature
• Sports and fitness
• Distinctive places to shop
• Top historic sites
• Museums and art galleries
• Day trip: Berea, a place of learning and artisans' skill
• Day trip: Louisville
• Day trip: Cincinnati and Newport Aquarium
• Day trip: Mammoth Cave
• Day trip: State parks

The beautifully restored Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill (3501 Lexington Road, Harrodsburg; 1-800-734-5611; April 1-Oct. 21: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, $14, less for children; Nov. 1-March 21: 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. daily: $7, less for children) is a great place to visit, stay, eat and shop.

Rich soil made this a prosperous place in the early 1800s. Lexington became known as the "Athens of the West," thanks largely to the influence of Transylvania University. Loyalties were divided during the Civil War. Most rich people sided with the South, because they didn't want to give up their slaves. In the election of 1860, Abraham Lincoln got fewer votes in Lexington than he had in-laws here.

Lexington has several historic home museums that offer a glimpse into aristocratic life here during 19th century, including:

• The Mary Todd Lincoln House (578 West Main Street, (859) 233-9999, open Feb. 18-Nov. 30, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Sat., $7, $4 ages 6-12).
• Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate (120 Sycamore Road; (859) 266-8581; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 1-4 p.m. Sun.; closed in January; groups by appointment in February; $7, $3 ages 6-18).
• Hunt-Morgan House and Alexander T. Hunt Civil War Museum (201 North Mill Street; (859) 253-0362, 1-4 p.m. Wed.-Fri., Sun.; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat; closed mid-December to early April; $7, $5 students).
• More museums, and art galleries

Downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods are filled with history. The Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation has mapped a Bicycle Tour of Historic Lexington (drive if you must), and UK professor Doris Wilkinson developed an African American Heritage Trail (details of both are here).

After the Civil War, the horse and tobacco industries flourished, as did UK. IBM and other companies brought Lexington a diversified economy after World War II. UK basketball became a passion, and Keeneland showed everyone "racing as it was meant to be."

For an overview of local history, visit the Lexington History Museum in the old courthouse (215 West Main Street, (859) 254-0530; noon-4 p.m. Fri., Sun.-Mon.; 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Sat., open all week during summer).

There isn't space to mention many other great places to visit. I left out whole areas of local history, from bourbon whiskey to religion. Lexington has been home to so many influential and colorful characters over the years. One of them might even have worn a coonskin cap.

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