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A Sunday in an Old Kentucky Home: Where the Federal Style Ruled!
Cincinnati was founded in 1788, a year before George Washington became our first president. America’s new centralized union, the Federal government, was the federation of the former 13 British colonies. The most popular architectural style in the nascent United States was called Federal. The White House, completed in 1800 in the new Capital City, is a textbook example.
Cincinnatians of the early 1800s embraced Federal architecture. The Taft Museum of Art, the Betts House, the Carneal House and Elmwood Hall are stand-outs. In Northern Kentucky, a mansion that defines the Federal style and even predates the Taft Museum, awaits us.
The 1814 Gaines House, in nearby Walton, Ky., originally fronted the Covington & Lexington Turnpike, the “highway” connecting Cincinnati to Lexington. Serving as a tavern, the Gaines offered travelers meals and lodging, a much-needed respite from the arduous 86-mile trip that took days.
Thanks to several caring owners, this Federal landmark survived long after the turnpike. Its three-story winding staircase is a show stopper and delicately carved, original mantels adorn most rooms. More Federal embellishments, from window mullions to floorboards, flourish everywhere.
Before savoring the Federal splendor of the Gaines, opened exclusively for us, a session in the house’s ballroom highlights the fundamentals of the Federal Style. Also included is a look at Cincinnati’s iconic examples.
Paula Jolley, the chatelaine of the Gaines House, will take us on a tour and regale us with stories of its colorful history. A passionate preservationist, she has given her all to keep this historic site thriving which is owned by the city of Walton.
Dolley Madison of White House fame would feel right at home here. Be forewarned; you are about to become aficionados of Federal architecture.
Event Links
Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/2616694-0
