Jack Jouett House, Versailles, Kentucky

The Jack Jouett House, Versailles, KY

Nestled in among the rolling hills and horse farms of Woodford County, just 6 miles southwest of Versailles, sits the estate of one of Kentucky's earliest and most prominent settlers and distillers - John "Jack" Jouett, Jr. The Jack Jouett House, a 1797 Federal-style brick home with attached circa-1780 stone cabin, has been meticulously restored and populated with antiques appropriate for the time period that the Jouett family occupied the property. Admission to the house, grounds, and visitor center (completed in 2009) is completely free and includes a guided tour by an extremely knowledgeable docent.

Although little remembered by those outside of Kentucky, Jack Jouett was a hero of the American Revolution who gained a reputation as the "Paul Revere of the South" for his daring 1781 ride to warn Thomas Jefferson and the Virginia legislature of a surprise raid being conducted by the infamous British colonel Banastre Tarleton.

In 1782, Jouett moved to Mercer County (in what is now Kentucky) and served first as a Virginia legislator and then as a member of the Kentucky legislature when the Bluegrass State formed in 1792. While in Mercer County, Jouett married Sarah "Sally" Robards and started a family, one of whom - Matthew - would rise to fame as a portraitist. Many of Matthew's portraits (reproductions, of course) are on display at the Jouett House.

Original c. 1780 stone cabin

Jouett moved his family to this small stone cabin in Woodford County in the mid-1790's, eventually constructing his new brick home with an eye toward flaunting his status as one of the young state's most influential citizens. The family wouldn't remain here long, however, as indebtedness forced Jouett to sell his estate an relocate to Bath County where he died in 1822.

Much of Jouett's 500-acre property has been parceled off over the years, with just the small portion comprising the historic site open to the public. Even so, the comprehensive display of Jouett family history in the visitor's center, the beautifully restored cabin and main house, and the frontier kitchen garden make this a worthy side trip destination. With a price tag of free, you can't beat the value.

Photo Gallery

Suggested Reading: