Donate to Farmington

While there are many ways to pursue an interest in Kentucky history, only Farmington offers an intimate view of a hemp plantation visited by Abraham Lincoln at a crucial time in his life. By volunteering, supporting, or even working at Farmington you can help preserve the site and bring forward a key period of American history. Students, professionals, and retirees are welcome. Families of all sizes, shapes, and colors can visit the Speed family’s plantation: in person, virtually, and over time.  Learn more about our membership levels here.

$75 – Family/Dual Membership

• up to 2 Adults and 4 children; additional children added for $10 each
• All of the benefits of an Individual Membership

$250 – Skidmore Society

Construction of the Speeds’ ambitious brick residence, an outstanding example of Federal-style architecture in frontier Kentucky, began at Farmington in 1815, the design of Paul Skidmore.  Skidmore’s unusual and ambitious design was clearly influenced by the architectural designs of Thomas Jefferson.

• All of the benefits of Membership
• 4 Free Guest Passes

$1,000 – Drescher & Bischoff Society

In 1865, Henry Drescher purchased the Farmington main house and part of the acreage from Peachy Speed Peay.  The Drescher family lived at Farmington for 43 years, operating a successful truck and potato farm until 1908 when Henry’s heirs sold the farm to the Bischoff family. The Bischoffs also farmed potatoes and lived at Farmington until the mid-1940s.

• All of the benefits of Membership
• 8 Free Guest Passes
• $25 Plant Sale Gift Certificate
• (2) Farmington Louisville Stoneware mugs

$5,000 – Speed Society

By 1809, John Speed had purchased the 554 acres that would make up the original Farmington property and the Speed family soon built cabins to inhabit before the main house was built in 1815-16. Three years after the death of her husband, Lucy Fry Speed sold Farmington’s main house and 143 acres to her son-in-law, Austin Peay.  Although Peay died in 1848 his wife, Speed daughter Peachy, owned Farmington until the end of the Civil War, giving the family a 56-year tenure on the plantation.

• All of the benefits of the Hays & Spencer Society
• 1 Free weekday rental of the Pavilion
• Farmington Sampler – which includes (4) Farmington Louisville Stoneware mugs, a Farmington bud vase, a set of Farmington stationary, and a Farmington ornament