FREE TOURS all day on JUNETEENTH

In honor of Juneteenth Farmington is holding a day of special programming with an emphasis on the enslaved individuals who lived and labored on this land.  Delve into the experiences of Farmington’s residents & guests (most notably Abraham Lincoln), exploring a unique KY history with national impact.

Farmington was a 550-acre hemp plantation, home to the John Speed family, and at the time of his death, we can document ~70 people enslaved at Farmington.  Unfortunately, we do not know the total number of individuals that were enslaved throughout the plantation’s occupation, but we have been able to document aspects of the lives of several people. Learn about Morocco, his sister Phillis and her daughter, Diana, who self-emancipated with two of her young children. Others such as Cato, the hostler, Rose-who sold fruits & dairy in Louisville’s market, Rheuben, Bartlett, Buck, & Henry who worked in the hemp fields.

Abraham Lincoln visited his best friend Joshua Speed at Farmington for 3 weeks in 1841 – a visit which had a lifelong impact on him.  He experienced the life of the plantation first hand and witnessed enslaved people being shipped South on riverboats on the Ohio River.  He also spent a great deal of time with James Speed, an emancipationist who became Lincoln’s Attorney General and had a lasting influence on Lincoln’s views during his presidency.

Today ONLY– experience a Buffalo Soldier encampment reenactment demonstrating post-Civil War African American cavalry. We also have a new map activity which guides exploration of the outdoor stations on the grounds. Special Presenters will offer interactive activities.  Have a picnic on the grounds, see industrial hemp growing & visit the Pollinator Prairie.  Master Gardeners will be available to speak about historical plantings.

Additional Details 

Park at the Visitor Center parking lot.

Check in at the Visitor Center for Cultural Pass & Senior Pass participants.

Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Anticipate a minimum of 30 minutes to tour the home, and additional time for grounds activities and demonstrations.

The Exhibit Room in the Visitor Center is open all day, house and grounds tours are self-guided. Guides will be stationed throughout the house to answer questions.

The house closes 30 minutes after the last check in time.

Paved walkways connect the Visitor Center, the house museum, and historic gardens.

The house is not wheelchair accessible. The house is accessed via stairway, and there are interior staircases, along with woven carpeting.

Building interiors are climate controlled.

You may picnic on the grounds but no food or drink is allowed in the House Museum.