My Old Kentucky Home mansion is a must-see whenever visiting charming Bardstown Kentucky. However it’s at its most magical when decorated for the holiday season. A period dressed guide leads guests through the 200 year old mansion bedecked with mistletoe and multiple Christmas trees. Learn about the home’s namesake, an abolitionist inspired ballad called “My Old Kentucky Home, Good-Night!,” written by America’s first composer Stephen Foster. The colorful history of the mansion includes deadly duels, horse racing, fortune, and misfortune alike. In addition to stories of the owners, the Rowan family, they also offer several holiday themed tours. Step back in time and see the house in its grandar during a Victorian Christmas. Watch “A Christmas Carol” unfold as you move through the rooms of the home. Take an unforgettable journey back in time this holiday season at My Old Kentucky Home.
Make your Bardstown getaway even more magical and stay at the historic Bourbon Manor Bed and Breakfast. The two original pre-civil war homes have been transformed into our 10 luxury spirit-themed guest suites. Not only enjoy a gourmet bourbon-inspired breakfast every morning, but an on-site day spa and bourbon lounge. Give you and your loved one the gift of a romantic escape this holiday. Book your Bardstown vacation at the Bourbon Manor Bed and Breakfast.
3 My Old Kentucky Home Tours to Brighten the Holidays
The beautiful architecture of the 1818 Federal style mansion, filled with antiques and original art are reason enough to tour My Old Kentucky Home. However the spirit of the holiday season really makes the home shine. During the cold winter months, warm your heart on two Christmas themed tours or one of the delicious cooking tours:
- An Old Kentucky Christmas Carol Tour – Throughout December the mansion offers tours that are also a journey through the famous and beloved Charles Dickens’ novel. Begin the tour in the parlor where My Old Kentucky Home’s
original owner, John Rowan is reading “A Christmas Carol” to his family by oil lamp light. Led by the talented musical cast, the story unfolds room to room and scene to scene. Find the true meaning of Christmas meeting the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future. Discover the joy of the season along with Ebenezer Scrooge. The tour ends in the lovely carriage house to share cookies and cider with Santa himself. - The Merry & Bright Tour – November through Janurary tour the house decorated beautifully for the season with six 12 foot tall Christmas trees. Each magnificent tree has its own Kentucky theme. Look for the Commonwealth Tree, Meadows in the Bloom, and Birds Make Music All the Day trees while admiring each room. Imagine the Rowan family celebrating the holiday under the garlands, mistletoe and the children amazed at their stockings filled with toys. Your Victorian guides in hoop skirts and tailcoats sing songs and recount the familiar and odd Christmas customs of the time. Learn how the Christmas tree, kissing under the mistletoe and the yule log all became holiday traditions. Hear the legends of Father Christmas and Santa Claus and the lesser known Krampus who punished children that misbehaved. Some bizarre Victorian customs also include the Christmas pickle or sword fighting frogs and frozen birds depicted on Christmas cards. The tour travels all the way from colonial times, to Victorian and ending on the roaring 1920’s
- Special Culinary Tours – Holidays bring up memories of family meals and the wonderful scents wafting through the home. Why not combine a historic
tour with some yummy treats. The Hot Apple Cider Tour highlights the fine antiques and expansive collection of paintings in My Old Kentucky Home. Hear colorful stories of famous guests and family members of the Federal Hill home. Your guides, wearing antebellum fashions from the 1850’s lead you to the historic kitchen and carriage house for warm apple cider and ginger snap cookies. Be prepared to get your hands messy during the Culinary Biscuit Tour. Guides, also dressed in period clothing, teach visitors the traditional beaten biscuits recipe in the beautiful carriage house. They also demonstrate making savory southern ham biscuits using My Old Kentucky Home own delicious smokehouse ham. Then enjoy your biscuits with butter and My Old Kentucky Home’s signature blackberry lemonade.
Plan your holiday escape to charming Bardstown this winter and enjoy a vacation with history, romance and the world’s finest bourbon. Reserve your elegant guest suite at the Bourbon Manor Bed and breakfast and give yourself the gift of a relaxing getaway this holiday.
