The Fort Structures
The fort at the center of Old Fort Harrod is made of several structures that reflect early life in Kentucky. Entry to park grounds is free. A small admission fee is charged for entry into the fort and the mansion museum.
Ann McGinty Blockhouse
Ann Kennedy Wilson Poague Lindsay McGinty brought the first spinning wheel to Kentucky. Widowed three times out of four marriages, her second husband made the first loom in Kentucky, and her third husband was killed in the Battle of Blue Licks.
George Rogers Clark Blockhouse
In this militia blockhouse, George Rogers Clark planned his great northwest campaign, which secured the Old Northwest and opened westward expansion.
Mark McGohon Cabin
This cabin contains possessions that belonged to this pioneer family.
Earliest Settlers Cabin
In this cabin are items used by frontier families in many home industries, such as broom making, candle making, soap making, and hominy grinding.
William Poague Cabin
William Poague made the first loom and plough in Kentucky. He also made all of the buckets, milk pails, churns, tubs, noggins, and piggins for the pioneers.
Bryant Station Cabin
This cabin is a memorial to the brave women of Bryant Station. With Indians concealed about the fort, the women went to the spring as usual to get a supply of water; knowing the fort could not be held without water that hot day on August 16, 1782.
First School
The school at Fort Harrod was taught by Jane Coomes, a Catholic from Maryland. She taught her students from a primitive version of the Old English Horn Book, made of clapboard in the shape of a paddle with its handle whittled to fit the children’s fingers. On these books the children learned their ABC’s, arithmetic, and the Lord’s Prayer.
John Lythe Cabin
An integral part of life in the fort was the religion practiced by Reverend Lythe, the minister who came to the fort with a Bible in one hand and an axe in the other.
James Harrod Blockhouse
James Harrod was the unanimous choice to be the leader of the expeditionary company which founded Kentucky’s first settlement. He was an expert in the use of a rifle, a successful hunter, and a skillful antagonist of the native American.
Mansion Museum
The Mansion Museum is one of the oldest Greek Revival homes built in Kentucky. Inside its impressive structure, the museum displays Civil War history, a one of a kind McIntosh Gun collection, paintings, documents, music collections, Lincoln memorabilia, Native American artifacts, and much more.
Pioneer Cemetery
This is the oldest cemetery west of the Allegheny Mountains, and contains graves of 500 pioneers.
Lincoln Marriage Temple
A brick building shelters the cabin where Abraham Lincoln’s parents were married. The cabin was moved from the original site near Springfield, Kentucky, where Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks were married June 12, 1806.
Federal Monument
The exploration of the Northwestern Territory by George Rogers Clark, dedicated in 1934 by Franklin D. Roosevelt. We are a member of the Museum Store Association.
Osage Orange Tree
One of the most unique trees in the nation, this specimen is a must-see. This tree is taller and broader than the national champion, but remains the unofficial national champion because of its split trunk. Circa late 18th century.