The One-Of-A-Kind Kentucky Castle That Has A Fascinating Story
By Andrea Limke|Published October 03, 2018
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Andrea Limke
Author
A Cincinnati native who has lived in Kentucky for over 10 years, Andrea's heart belongs both in the Queen City and the Bluegrass State. After earning an education degree and working in that field for a number of years, Andrea began to pursue her passion for writing over 6 years ago. Since then she has written for a number of print and online publications, as well as published a children's book.
Kentucky is filled with amazing architecture of all kinds, featuring many homes and buildings that are certainly eye-catching. Just drive past the sprawling farms in horse country or wander through The Highlands neighborhood in Louisville and you’ll be able to witness the beauty for yourself. However, there’s a surprising property with a fascinating story tucked away in Lexington, and it’s a true piece of Kentucky history. The Loudoun House is a unique, castle-like structure that is one of the last of its kind in the entire country.
The Loudoun House is appropriately located in the Castlewood neighborhood of Lexington, northeast of downtown. Its eye-catching stature is a rare find, not only in Kentucky, but in the entire country.
The mansion was built in 1850 for Francis Key Hunt. If that name sounds familiar, perhaps it's because Mr. Hunt was named after his mother's cousin, Francis Scott Key, who wrote our U.S. National Anthem.
Francis Key Hunt and his wife began work on The Loudoun House after his father passed away, leaving the couple a large inheritance. His father, John Hunt, was one of the first millionaires west of the Appalachians.
Hunt hired famed New York architect A.J. Davis to design a castellated Gothic Revival villa, or in other words, a home that resembled a castle. After four years and triple the original $10,000 budget, the home was completed and, remarkably, still stands to this day.
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The house is now on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of only five remaining Gothic Revival villas designed by A.J. Davis left in the United State.
The Loudoun House sits on a large piece of property, right in the middle of a residential neighborhood that grew up around it. Its castle-esque architecture definitely stands out amongst the small Cape Cod-style homes and bungalows around it.
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Today, The Loudoun House is owned by the City of Lexington and is the home of the Lexington Art League.
The city and Art League have worked to maintain and restore this historic property, and it now also serves as a stunning museum featuring contemporary and multimedia art exhibits, as well as live music and special events throughout the year.
If you love art, historic homes, or both, The Loudoun House is a wonderful place to visit. The architecture alone is worth admiring and the art galleries add even more character and a modern appeal to the space.
No matter who now wanders the halls of this Gothic Revival masterpiece, it remains a one-of-a-kind castle in Kentucky.
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The Loudoun House is open for tours, as well as for art exhibits and events. We recommend calling ahead to confirm hours is you are interested in taking a tour.
You can learn more about the house and see an events calendar on the Lexington Art League website or by calling (859)-254-7024.
The Loudoun House is a beautiful example of Gothic Revival architecture and remains a hidden castle, frozen in time in Kentucky. Did you know about this now-art museum and event space? Do you think it’s beautiful or spooky? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
The Loudoun House is located at 209 Castlewood Dr., Lexington, KY 40505. For more information, visit its website here.
And for another incredible castle in Kentucky that even has its own restaurant and lets you spend the night, check out our previous article here.
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