Description

Top Five Things To Do

1. Tour the wonderful Historic Mansion.
2. Enjoy a round of golf.
3. Camp at the campground.
4. Stroll the grounds and explore the interpretive panels.
5. See the Stephen Foster Story in the summer months.

The farm that inspired the imagery in Stephen Collins Foster's famous song, “My Old Kentucky Home, Good-Night!” is Kentucky's most famous and beloved historic site. Built between 1812 and 1818, the three-story house originally named, "Federal Hill," by its first owner Judge John Rowan became Kentucky's first historic shrine on July 4th, 1923. Located near Bardstown in Nelson County, the mansion and farm had been the home of the Rowan family for three generations, spanning a period of 120 years. In 1922 Madge Rowan Frost, the last Rowan family descendant sold her ancestral home and 235-acres to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. 

Camping & RV

Admire the beautiful grounds of My Old Kentucky Home State Park in the 39-site campground near Bardstown. Convenience is guaranteed with utility hookups, a central service building housing showers and rest rooms, and a dump station. A grocery store and a laundry are nearby across the street from the park. Pets are allowed if restrained. Closed for season from mid-November to mid-March. To make reservations, CLICK HERE.

Weddings, Meetings & Events

My Old Kentucky Home State Park offers a variety of indoor and outdoor venues that can entertain any group size. Catering menus are available for group bookings. For your customized proposal or more information about hosting a wedding, meeting or event  CLICK HERE.

The Stephen Foster Story

Experience the tradition of Kentucky's longest-running outdoor drama. This celebrated musical features colorful period costumes, lively choreography, and more than 50 Foster songs, including his most famous ballad, "My Old Kentucky Home." For more information and reservations call 502-348-5971 or visit The Stephen Foster Drama Association's website.

Birding

Year-round birds include the Red-tailed hawk, goldfinches, Northern Cardinals, House Finches, Carolina Wrens, House Sparrows, Blue Jay, White-breasted Nuthatch, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, starlings, American Robin, crows, Carolina Chickadee, Mourning Dove, Tufted Titmouse, Eastern Bluebird, Northern Mockingbird, White-throated Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Great Horned Owls, Screech owls, and Barred Owls. Winter birds include the Dark-eyed Junco, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and the Yellow-rumped Warbler.

Our Kentucky handcraft items include pottery, quilts, hand painted gourds, chairs and benches. Our outstanding book selections include cookbooks, historic and civil war books, and various Kentucky authors. A large selection of equine and Derby items can be found. The food specialty items will satisfy every appetite. To shop the My Old Kentucky Home store visit: mokhshop.com.

Enjoy a day on Kentucky’s rolling bluegrass as you test your golfing skills on the Kenny Rapier Golf Course 18-hole, regulation golf course. A fully equipped pro shop caters to the golfer’s every need with rental clubs, pull carts, and riding carts. The complete redesign and reconstruction of the front nine holes, plus extensive irrigation and turf improvements on the back nine holes are finished and 18 holes are open for play. Project consultant was Fred Rux of Mobile, Ala. and Contractor was Golf Development Construction Inc. of Louisville. The course is named for Bardstown native and former Commissioner of Parks Kenny Rapier. Course open year-round, weather permitting. For more info on this course CLICK HERE.

Experience the tradition of Kentucky's longest-running outdoor drama. This celebrated musical, "The Stephen Foster Story," features colorful period costumes, lively choreography, and more than 50 Foster songs, including his most famous ballad, "My Old Kentucky Home." For more information and reservations call 1-800-626-1563 or visit The Stephen Foster Drama Association's website, $.

The picnic area is equipped with grills, a playground, and rest rooms. A picnic shelter is available for rental up to one year in advance.

Two tennis courts located near the J.Dan Talbot amphitheatre.

The Visitors Center serves as the main entry point to the popular historic mansion, "My Old Kentucky Home" of Stephen Foster's ballad. Don't miss your opportunity to tour Kentucky's premier historical site that features over two centuries of antiques, paintings, and architecture rendered beautifully in the Federal Style. Formal gardens, outbuildings that include a smokehouse, historic kitchen, carriage house, cabin, and springhouse are set amongst century old magnolias, maples, and cedar trees. Hear the song "My Old Kentucky Home" sung on your tour by our guides in period costume for your adventure finale. The quintessential Kentucky experience is awaiting your arrival at My Old Kentucky Home State Park! 

Tour Information
Tours are limited to 25 persons, and are available hourly from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday during winter hours (January 2-March 15). Tickets for today’s tours must be purchased in person at the Visitors Center in My Old Kentucky Home State Park. For online ticket purchases CLICK HERE.
Adults: $16
Seniors (age 62+): $14
Youth (age 13-17): $12
Children (age 6-12): $10
Toddlers (age 5 & under): Free
Active Military (with ID): $5
Retired Military (with ID): $12
Bus Groups: $12
School Groups: $5