THE MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME ROOM
A KENTUCKY CLASSIC
Inspired by Kentucky’s most familiar song and the historic Bardstown estate that came to represent it, this room reflects a story woven deeply into
the identity of the Commonwealth.
THE SONG
A Melody That Came to Belong to KY
Stephen Foster published My Old Kentucky Home, Good-Night! in 1853. Its gentle melody and images of home, distance, and longing helped the song endure for generations, eventually becoming one of the most recognizable pieces of music associated with Kentucky.
Kentucky officially adopted it as the state song in 1928. Over time, it became woven into public life, most famously through its performance before the Kentucky Derby. Yet the song also carries a more complicated history. Its original lyrics were written in the language and racial conventions of 19th-century minstrel music, and Kentucky later revised the words commonly sung today.
What remains unmistakable is the song’s emotional pull. For many Kentuckians, its opening notes evoke something larger than the melody itself: memory, belonging, and the bittersweet feeling of home.
THE HOME
The Estate That Became a Kentucky Landmark
Set among the rolling hills of Bardstown, the stately brick home was originally known as Federal Hill. Judge John Rowan and his family built the three-story mansion between 1812 and 1818, and it became a prominent center of political, legal, and social life in early Kentucky.
The estate was later associated with Stephen Foster’s song through the Foster family’s connection to the Rowans. Although the exact extent to which Federal Hill inspired the song remains part of the home’s legend, the connection became so firmly established that Federal Hill was renamed My Old Kentucky Home in 1923. That same year, the property was transferred to the Commonwealth as a historic shrine and became Kentucky’s first state-owned park.
Today, the mansion remains one of Kentucky’s best-known historic homes. Its preserved rooms, period furnishings, and layered stories offer a glimpse into both the grandeur of the Rowan estate and the lives of the enslaved people whose labor sustained it.
DID YOU KNOW?
A Few Fun Facts
What Was My Old Kentucky Home Originally Called?
The estate was originally known as Federal Hill, named in honor of the Federalist political tradition of Judge John Rowan and his family.
When Was Federal Hill Built?
Construction began in 1812 and was completed in 1818. The three-story brick mansion became the centerpiece of the Rowan family’s large plantation.
How Large Was the Original Estate?
Federal Hill once included approximately 1,300 acres surrounding the mansion near Bardstown.
Did Stephen Foster Live at Federal Hill?
No. Stephen Foster never lived at the estate. His connection came through family ties to the Rowans, and the home later became associated with his famous song.
What Was the Song’s Original Title?
When Stephen Foster published it in 1853, the sheet music was titled My Old Kentucky Home, Good-Night!
When Did It Become Kentucky’s State Song?
Kentucky officially adopted “My Old Kentucky Home” as the state song in 1928, 75 years after it was first published.
When Did Federal Hill Become My Old Kentucky Home?
The estate was renamed My Old Kentucky Home in 1923 when it was transferred to the Commonwealth of Kentucky as a historic site.
Was My Old Kentucky Home Kentucky’s First State Park?
Federal Hill became Kentucky’s first state-owned historic park after the Commonwealth acquired the property in 1923.
Did Lightning Ever Strike the Mansion?
Yes. Lightning struck Federal Hill in 1841 and caused a fire that damaged the third floor. The damaged section was later rebuilt.
Why Is the Song Played at the Kentucky Derby?
“My Old Kentucky Home” is traditionally performed as the Derby horses enter the track for the post parade, creating one of the race’s most recognizable and emotional traditions.
Do the Tour Guides Really Sing the Song?
Yes. Costumed guides traditionally sing “My Old Kentucky Home” during mansion tours while sharing stories about the Rowan family, Stephen Foster, and life at Federal Hill.
Did a Rowan family duel help shape Kentucky law?
John Rowan fought a fatal duel, and Kentucky’s oath of office still includes language requiring certain officials to swear they have never fought or assisted in a duel.
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