Kentucky’s Last Official Lincoln Site Continues restoration

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Explore the past as the last official Kentucky Lincoln site continues restoration.

If you come: You will walk through what appears to be a time lapse. A 14- room mansion being beautifully restored.  Judge Advocate General Joseph Holt’s beloved home and grounds is filled with a full-scale day of events all in the period as Lincoln’s lawyer would have entertained. This Lincoln site is unique with the man behind the legacy buried on the grounds. And one of the few cemeteries in Kentucky giving honor to the Union.

Work continues with partnering from the United States Army to make the home a national meeting place for all the Army JAGS across the nation, along with new uses for regional, state and national.  You may expect to see a home like this in Washington D.C. but not in Kentucky!

Visitors will be intrigued by the charm of this historical jewel. They will take in sights and sounds and leave with the strong history alive today with the most famous son of Breckinridge County in their hearts and minds.

Highlights of the event from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. CDT  with no admission charged include a Civil War baseball game, dances by the Berea Festival Dancers, period bands and singing throughout the day, cannon firing, tours of the home, a majestic wreath-laying ceremony at the Holt monument by the United States Cadet Command and Fort Knox, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, The Ninth Michigan Volunteer Infantry and a host of Civil War re-enactors and campsites on the grounds, and distinguished speakers at 11:00. The local Breckinridge County Tiger Band and the Breckinridge County Chamber Singers performing along with Larry Elliott portraying President Abraham Lincoln.

New this year: Hot air balloon rides from 7 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. weather permitting, Curt Fields, nationally known will be portraying General Ulysses S. Grant, and local author Susan B. Dyer will be on site to sign her new book released by Acclaim Press, Joseph Holt Mansion: Saving & Restoring the Home of Lincoln’s Judge Advocate General.

Holt (1807-1894) served President James Buchanan as Postmaster General and Secretary of War at the beginning of the Civil War and was appointed Judge Advocate General by President Abraham Lincoln. His most memorable role as JAG came following the assassination of President Lincoln when Holt presided over the trial of the Lincoln assassination conspirators, which included the first woman ever hanged by the federal government, Mary Surratt.

The home and surrounding 19.5 acres, now owned by Breckinridge County Fiscal Court, are expected to become major area attractions because of Holt’s significance in national history and politics. The 6, 225 square foot structure, with its Italianate architecture, also is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Friends of the Holt Home, Inc. non-profit organization, coordinates fundraising efforts, writes grants, plans events for the home, has completed a site use plan of what the historic home will become upon completed restoration in progress. And efforts continue to make the Holt Home become a national meeting places for all the United States Army JAGS.

Celebration: Be a part of this unforgettable milestone with continued success of celebrating the acquisition, restoration progress, numerous grant awards, the partnering of four state agencies, and teaching the region what true preservation is, having patience, doing preservation the right way the first time, helping gain community support, state support and bringing national attention to the historic Holt Home.

The 10 Annual Holt Home Community Day, scheduled September 22, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (with hot air balloon rides beginning at 7:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. weather permitting.)

The Holt Home is located at 6205 Highway 144, Hardinsburg, KY 40143.

For more information, and you watch KET’s documentary of Holt House visit http://www.jholt-houseky.org

Susan Dyer:  270 756-2573.