From its railroad and river heritage to its 19th century homes, Kentucky offers a wealth of venues where attendees can gather amid the state’s rich history.
COVINGTON/NORTHERN KENTUCKY
Dinsmore Homestead
(859.586.6117; www.dinsmorefarm.org)
Situated on 80 acres in Burlington, Ky., the Dinsmore Homestead offers visitors a look inside the home of the Dinsmore’s, a politically well-connected family of the 1800s. Built in 1842, the property showcases family treasures such as a circa-1820 quilt, photos of past presidents such as Theodore Roosevelt and a Steinway piano built in 1859. Groups can host tented dinners on the font lawn, gather on the back porch or arrange parties for up to 12 people in the house’s front hall.
LEXINGTON
Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate
(859.266.8581; www.henryclay.org)
Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate, was home to Henry Clay from 1806 to 1852. Clay was an American statesman who represented Kentucky in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The estate comprises an impressive main house, several outbuildings and a beautiful English garden. Groups are welcome to meet at the property’s Keeper’s Cottage or hold a tented event on the estate’s sprawling lawns.
LOUISVILLE
Thomas Edison House
(502.585.5247; www.edisonhouse.org)
Highlighting the life and accomplishments of one of America’s greatest inventors, the Thomas Edison House was Edison’s residence for a time during his late teen years. The house showcases the first home motion picture projector, a variety of light bulbs, and cylinder and disc phonographs. Planners can book events of up to 50 people in the house’s courtyard or a 30-person reception indoors.
BOWLING GREEN
Historic Railpark
(270.745.0090; www.historicrailpark.com)
Once a major hub for travel in and out of Bowling Green, the Historic Railpark includes the L&N Depot, with a beautifully restored main lobby available for group events, and there are plans to open a museum highlighting train transportation this month. Groups can also host dinners in two of the facility’s restored rail cars: the Presidential Car and the Dunkin Hines Diner.
PADUCAH
River Heritage Museum
(270.575.9958; www.riverheritagemuseum.org)
Located within the circa-1843 Petter Building, the oldest-surviving antebellum building in Paducah’s historic downtown, the River Heritage Museum focuses on the history and culture of the Mississippi, Cumberland, Ohio, and Tennessee rivers. Groups can hold events on the second floor of the museum, which overlooks the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee rivers.
