[This review was written and posted July 2020 but the bright sparks at Yelp merged it with another…read morereview and they can't or won't fix it. I was told to repost it. Thanks for nothing, Yelp!] Recently reopened post-coronavirus, this is the official state museum of the Commonwealth of Kentucky (bonus point if you can name the other three "Commonwealth" states). With complete social distancing and some of the interactive displays marked off, there's a lot of history and information to take in here. The path of the exhibits takes you through the early settlement and then the Colonial times, the age of the Civil War, post-war and to modern times. Some of the Civil Rights and slavery displays may be a little distressing to some, but it's important information and critical stories that need to be told. The hall of governors is interesting to see all the faces through the ages. There is free wifi and they have clean restrooms. [Review 17256 overall - 151 in Kentucky - 774 of 2022.]

The Kentucky Historical Society in Frankfort is an amazing modern facility that preserves the…read morehistory of Kentucky. Admission is included with ($8) admission to the Old State Capitol building. We spent about an hour walking through the exhibits and learning. Many of the exhibits are hands-on and educational. The path through starts with the history of indigenous people of Kentucky through modern day. I found the many artifacts displayed very interesting. Information and additional artifacts about the early settlers of Kentucky were interesting as well. A separate area in the museum houses portraits of all the governors of Kentucky. Upstairs is a research library. The gift shop offers various souvenirs, books and locally crafted items for sale. The center is worth a visit if you love history and especially good for kids. There is a dedicated parking lot for the museum, but we found free street parking down the street.

Beautiful venue for a wedding. Staff was amazing and the ground speak for themselves! A hidden gem!read more

We attended our first high tea at the Orlando Brown House followed by a tour of Liberty Hall. Both…read morehouses were original Brown properties. Both are beautiful and historic. The high tea was tasty with tea exclusively made for Historic Liberty Hall. Once finished with the high tea we were escorted down the street to Liberty Hall where we began our tour of this impressive and historic site. If I am correct the buildings remained in the family until 1934 when it was deemed a historic site and became a museum. To actually have so much of the original furnishings is astounding.

Today I took the Frankfort Civil War Walking Tour given by the history center. This tour is…read moreconducted periodically and fleshes out details about Frankfort's involvement in the Civil War, important local figures and its political policies during that period of time. For those who simply want to visit the Kentucky History Center, the old state capital, and the Kentucky Military Museum you are in luck. $8 covers all 3 of these. They also have a research library where you can explore your family history if you are from Kentucky. As a member I have taken advantage of the research library and visited the museum numerous times over the years. By the way the Kentucky state capitol building is the only Union capital to fall in Confederate hands.

Our visit started off just right with free parking across the street. Admission covered this…read morebuilding and the state military history museum up the hill a few block away. Get there in time for a tour of the Old State Capitol building for the history of Frankfort and KY. The 200 yr history of the state will take at least 1 1/2 hrs to get it all in.

We checked this place out on a recent walking tour around Frankfort. We enjoyed reading about the…read morehouse. The architecture is pretty cool and stands out in the neighborhood. Worth checking out if you're in the area.

Located in a residential neighborhood in the capital region of Frankfort, this marker denotes an…read moreinteresting home for its architecture. Built in 1910, the "Prairie Style" Zeigler house -- also known as the "Fireproof House for $5,000" -- is the only Frank Lloyd Wright structure in the state of Kentucky. And although it is a Wright design, the plans for it were actually drawn up in Chicago while Wright himself was in Europe. It is on two sides. On the one, "Frank Lloyd Wright, (1869-1959) - Famous primarily as a residence architect, Wright also planned many impressive public structures, including the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo and Guggenheim Museum in New York City. This is the only building of his design erected in Ky. during his lifetime. House was listed on National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Over." And on the reverse, "Rev. Jesse R. Zeigler House - The design for this house came from a chance shipboard meeting in 1910 of Rev. Zeigler of this city with Frank Lloyd Wright, the internationally known architect. The Presbyterian minister had local contractor Scott begin construction that year. This is an example of Wright's "prairie house," utilizing open floor plans. See over." This marker is on one of the side streets that is on the way to the Frankfort State Capitol, so you might drive past. I try hard not to intrude on people's privacy so while I wanted to walk up the driveway and check out the property, I did not go further than the sidewalk. There are good pictures and more information here: https://savewright.org/building/zeigler-house/ [Review 13553 overall, 872 of 2020.]

I was very underwhelmed. I had seen this as a must see on a FB "must see" KY road trips. We decided…read moreto surprise my parents and do a family trip. I do not feel there was really "anything" to this. But I must admit, I may be a bit tainted because I have been on other much more interactive train ride. That being said. The gentleman who gave details and shared historical tidbits was very knowledgeable.

With the exception of some growth along the railroad tracks on some of the route it was a pleasant…read more1 1/2 hour ride. This is an all volunteer staff(very friendly) that operates the Saturday morning and afternoon excursions. You pass some horse farms and gentle rolling hills culminating in a stop at a stunning view of an old trestle bridge over the Kentucky River. The bridge deemed unsafe for railroad travel is used for bungee jumping now believe it or not. At $20 for first class in an air conditioned car(lower for other options) plus a small museum of old railroad memorabilia it was an inexpensive way to spend the day. The one downside is that there is no bathrooms on the train so remember to go before you leave. Also, perhaps spend some time in downtown Versailles visiting the cute shops and the coffee shop there.

Found this gem in Versailles, KY. This place is for both young and old alike. There are working…read moretrain displays that are fun to watch. One is from the old Purcell Dept. Store from Lexington, KY. Very cool. It was actually an old Lionel Sales demonstration set that Lionel sold to their dealers. The owner has much knowledge about trains and stories to share plus there are many nostalgic toys displayed throughout. Have Fun!

Neat place to visit in the area. Cheap ($5) per person admission fee, so minimal is today's…read moreeconomy. The wife I visited on our anniversary. She had me worried when she said we were going to a train station. I survived.

We loved our visit to the Old State Capital of Kentucky. The Greek Revival building is stately with…read morea colonial touch. The building served as the State Capitol from 1830-1910 and was the third building to hold the honor. (The prior two buildings were destroyed by fire.) This building, designed by Gideon Shryock, was mostly built using Kentucky limestone from nearby Kentucky river. The facade is unusual in that there are no windows at the front entrance, only a huge door. The front is adorned with massive columns. We entered on the side. $8 tickets gave us access to the building plus two other museums. A walking tour with paper guide is available if you want to wander at your own pace. A guided tour is available in the afternoons. The beautiful central spiral limestone staircase and ornate dome are the focal points of the building. On the main floor, is a renovated version of the State Library, completed with period books and furnishings of the 1850's. A meeting room on the ground floor, tells the governing history of Kentucky in photos. The main floor also housed the courts, but those rooms are currently closed to the public. Upstairs are two large room that housed the legislative branches of the state government. The rooms are in the process of renovation and hold some of the original furnishings. Outside on the Square, is a statue of William Goebel, the only Governor in the U.S. to be assassinated while in office. Goebel was shot outside the courthouse in 1900. Ramps and elevators are available inside, as well as restrooms. We found free street parking about a block away. I recommend a visit.

This National Historic Landmark served as Kentucky's Capitol from 1830 to 1910. This Greek Revival…read morestyle building features a unique self-supporting staircase and was the only pro-Union State Capitol occupied briefly by the Confederate Army during the Civil War. We only took photos of the exterior of the building as we had time constraints. It's a beautiful building on nicely landscaped lawns. The neighborhood is also interesting with museums and shops. Note, however, that many attractions and shops are closed on Mondays.