My Old Kentucky Home
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which Stephen Foster sang into immortality when he wrote the tune in 1853. It is said by some that the legend of My Old Kentucky Home is not verified, but the fact remains that the old Rowan homestead is looked upon as the inspiration of the song. Certain it is that the Foster family visited Federal Hill, since it was from there that Stephen's sister, Charlotte, wrote to her brother William in reference to getting her a piano. This was when Stephen was one year old. Up to the time when Madge Rowan sold the old home to the trustees of a popular subscription, and then only upon the condition that the property be maintained as a state shrine, The Kentucky Home had been occupied only by members of the Rowan family. In this transaction all the family relics were turned over and are collected in the shrine; since the appointment of the committee the process of restoration of the property has been going on. |
| At the time that Foster wrote the song, Judge Rowan, Sr. was dead and young John Rowan had just returned from Europe to establish himself in the estate inherited from his father. The house itself faces north and is two stories and an attic high, the third story having been completely destroyed by fire. At the rear of the house the elder Rowan had built a spring house over the stream which surrounds the property and in the stone basement of this structure, the dairy products were kept. of the remainder of the little wooden structure, Judge Rowan had made a law office where he and many of the famous lawyers of the day gathered for discussion. In the distance were to be seen, the slave cabins, stables, workshops, sheds, the house of the overseer and all the necessary accoutrements for the carrying on of a big plantation. When Foster went to Federal Hill, he was at the prime of his song writing career and it will be noticed that he was then already employing the language of the white man rather than that of the negro. (Photo: Copyright Caufield & Shook, Inc.)
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founder of Federal Hill, in 1795, situated about one mile easy of Bardstown, Ky. The place has come down in history as "The Old Kentucky Home". John Rowan, a relative of Stephen Foster, went as a child, from Pennsylvania to Kentucky; his father had been a Revolutionary soldier. He had inherited from his father, his fearless and noble nature; he grew up to be a successful lawyer and was Kentucky's first United States Senator. He died in 1843 after having lived a memorable life, filled with many historical events. |
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at the doorway of The Old Kentucky Home. Colonel La Bree is serving as mentor at the old home. His knowledge of the Civil War period, his distinction as author and editor, fittingly qualify him for the service in which he finds so much joy. (1930) This seems to be a later view of the old homestead than the previous one, as the place appears well kept and shows every sign of life. Colonel La Bree has written of the Civil War period in his Battle of the Civil War, Confederate Soldiers in the Civil War, and Camp Fires of the Confederacy. (Photo: Copyright Sims Visual Music Co.)
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Tradition has it that Stephen Foster wrote the first draft of My Old Kentucky Home upon this greatly treasured desk and left the copy at Federal Hill as a souvenir. it, along with other interesting relics, was destroyed by fire many years ago. The desk is of the Empire type, with rope legs and was made from the unusual combination of solid cherry and mohagany. (Photo: Copyright Caufield & Shook, Inc.)
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| Kentucky's theme song was first sung in this room in 1853, with the composer, Stephen Foster, at the piano. The handsome and authoritative oil painting of Stephen Foster, which adorns the wall of this historic room, was presented to the commission of The Old Kentucky Home by the Chamber of Commerce of Pittsburgh, at the time of the dedication of the home, July 4, 1923. (Photo: Copyright Caufield & Shook, Inc) |
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which was presented to The Old Kentucky Home Commission in 1922 by the City of Pittsburgh.
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| As the road reaches the crest of the hill and Bardstown, Ky. disappears in the background, visitors to the famous landmark come into view of an estate located on the right side of the road and seemingly perched on a table of land. On entering the gate, one realizes that he is on sacred ground. In a booklet published by The Old Kentucky Home Commission, one reads: "The large dark, grey, formal yet hospitable old mansion that crowns the eminence and seems to brood over the old turnpike, is the Holy Grail of that estate. In winter the pile is gloomy looking, amid the naked trees. In summer it is transformed into a cool retreat upon a gentle green swell, embowered in green foliage." (Photo: Copyright by Sims Visual Music Co.) | |
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