Ashland :: Home of Henry Clay

A few weeks back Ella and I visited Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate, in Lexington, Kentucky.  This stately home is tucked away in the middle of a residential area in Lexington.  We were in Lexington for a baby shower at my Aunt Carol & Uncle Jack's house, which is right across the street from Henry Clay's gorgeous and majestic estate. Ella and I wandered around the gardens of the estate for a while, taking in all of the beautiful sites and historic landmarks. These pictures are just a sampling of what you can see at Ashland.  Because our time was limited we did not have time to take a tour of the house, but I intend to go back next summer with the whole family and take the guided tour.  I am always looking for educational field trips during the summer, and I feel like this would be a great opportunity for the kids to dig into Kentucky History (and who am I kidding, I want to learn more about KY history and Henry Clay as well).

Here's a little bit of information about the Estate from the Ashland Facebook Page:
Kentucky's first National Historic Landmark. 19th century architecture, 17 acres, formal garden and seasonal cafe. Dedicated to preserving the legacy of one of America's greatest statesmen, Henry Clay: The Great Compromiser. Open since 1950.

Visit the Ashland Website or Facebook Page for more information about hours, dates the estate is open, tour information, directions, and events.  At a glance, it seems like there are many interesting events that happen at this grand estate.  I could tell when we were there that not only tourists came to see Ashland, but that the neighborhood folks spent alot of time on the grounds as well...some were walking dogs, some playing with their kids, some taking pictures, and some just enjoying a leisurely walk on a beautiful day.