Available loose 5"x7" or 11"x14," or framed in an 8"x10" metal frame with a brass plate(print is 5"x7")
The famous ballad "My Old Kentucky Home" was written by Stephen C. Foster, who was inspired by his 1852 visit to stately “Federal Hill”, the plantation home of his cousin John Rowan Jr. located in Bardstown, Kentucky. Foster also composed such popular songs as “Beautiful Dreamer”, “Oh Susanna”, “Camptown Races”, and “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair”. Federal Hill became associated with the song during the Civil War when soldiers who were familiar with the song began to refer to Federal Hill as “My Old Kentucky Home”. “My Old Kentucky Home” was adopted as the state song of Kentucky in 1928.
Federal Hill was built between 1795 and 1818 by U.S. Senator Judge John Rowan, and remained in the family for three generations, spanning 120 years. The Rowan family sold the home and 235 acres to the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1922 and included the furnishings, which are considered some of the best examples of American furniture in the country.
Federal Hill was built in the Georgian architectural style, with an Adam style entry. Bricks for the main house were made on site. Stars on the front and side exterior walls are for structural purposes. The number 13 reoccurs in the house, supposedly to honor the original 13 colonies. There were 13 original rooms, 13 windows on the front of the house, 13 stairs between each floor, 13 ½ feet high ceilings, and the walls are 13 inches thick. The first floor contains the parlor, dining room, and library. The bedrooms occupy the second floor, and the nursery is on the third floor. The rear wing contains the kitchen, smokehouse, and two bedrooms. Federal Hill is available for historic tours daily through the year.
