The Abraham Lincoln statue in the public square in Hodgenville, Kentucky, was dedicated on May 31, 1909. Adolph Alexander Weinman sculpted the six-foot-tall statue, depicting Lincoln sitting in an Empire-style chair. The marble foundation features stars inlaid on a Greek fret band, and the statue’s eastern facade spells out “Lincoln” in bronze letters. Lincoln’s son, Robert Todd Lincoln, attended the statue’s dedication, and Lincoln’s sister-in-law, Mrs. Ben Hardin Helm, unveiled the statue.
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The Bluegrass Railroad and Museum is a railroad museum and heritage railroad located in Versailles, Kentucky. It was established in 1976 by members of the Bluegrass Railroad Club, a model railroad group, and started acquiring equipment from local railroads. The museum offers 11-mile round-trip excursions to Tyrone passing picturesque Kentucky horse farms. During the journey, the train stops at Young’s High Bridge, where passengers can disembark and marvel at the stunning views of te bridge and the Kentucky River. The railroad utilizes diesel locomotives and has an impressive collection of about 40 pieces of rolling stock.
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Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville has been the home of The Kentucky Derby, the longest continually held annual sporting event in the United States, since 1875. Churchill Downs features a series of themed race days during Derby Week, including the Kentucky Oaks, and conducts Thoroughbred horse racing during three race meets in the spring, September and fall. Churchill Downs is located on 175 acres and has a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track and a stabling area. The track provides seating for approximately 60,000 guests, and the stable area has barns for 1,400 horses and a 114-room dormitory for backstretch personnel.
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The Frankfort Cemetery has a rich history and is situated on a bluff that provides stunning panoramic views of the Kentucky River, the Kentucky State Capitol, the Governor’s Mansion, and the Capitol District. It was established by Judge Mason Brown, inspired by the Mount Auburn Cemetery in Boston. The Kentucky General Assembly granted the cemetery’s incorporation on February 27, 1844. The original 32-acre property, Hunter’s Garden, was purchased for $3,801 in 1845. Over time, the cemetery expanded to 100 acres through additional purchases in 1858 and 1911. The cemetery is the final resting place of legendary American pioneer Daniel Boone, 17 Kentucky governors and a United States vice president.
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Col. Harland Sanders played a pivotal role in the evolution of fast food dining. Before KFC was a staple of modern cuisine, he owned the Harland Sanders Café along U.S. Route 25 in Corbin, Ky. By the late 1930s, Sanders was well known for his culinary offerings, and by 1940 he opened a motel-restaurant complex here.
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The Historic Railpark and Train Museum is located in the historic former railroad Louisville and Nashville Railroad station in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 18, 1979.
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The Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company was established in 1999 by Pearse Lyons, the founder and president of Alltech. Alltech initially introduced Kentucky Ale to enter the beverage industry. In 2012, the distillery began producing a range of spirits, including Pearse Lyons Reserve, a malt whiskey, Bluegrass Sundown, a coffee drink infused with bourbon, and Town Branch Bourbon.
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Lincoln Homestead State Park features the original home of Abraham Lincoln’s mother and replicas of the 1782 cabin and blacksmith shop where his father was reared and learned his trade. It also features the home of Mordecai Lincoln, the favorite uncle of Lincoln.
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The Mary Todd Lincoln House, located in Lexington, Kentucky, was the childhood home of Mary Todd, who later became the first lady and wife of the 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. Today, it is a museum showcasing period furniture, portraits and artifacts from the Todd and Lincoln families. Visitors can learn about the multifaceted life of Mary Todd Lincoln, from her privileged upbringing in a wealthy family that owned slaves to her later years as a grieving widow. Originally built as an inn and tavern around 1803-1806, the property was known as “The Sign of the Green Tree.” Eventually, Mary’s father, Robert Smith Todd, purchased the property for their family, and they moved into the three-story house in 1832. Mary Todd resided there until 1839, when she relocated to Springfield, Illinois. Later, after their marriage, the Lincolns returned to visit Mary’s family at the house.
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