Bardstown, KY

 Bardstown surprised us by all it had to offer. We wished we would've planned more than one day in the area as there is so much to see and do. I would say three days there would be better. 

The Civil War Museum & the Women’s Museum of the Civil War

These museums are the largest dedicated to the Western Theatre of the Civil War. Both are very nicely organized, arranged in a manner that is easy to follow and with a variety of displays: artifacts, replicas, clothing and other textiles, miniature dioramas, artwork, documents and personal possessions of participants. 

In particular we appreciated the display of the H. L. Hunley, a Confederate submarine. Most people don't know the story of the Hunley, or that there was a submarine in that time. It had a hand crank propellor and no defenses. Eight crewman crowded into impossibly small quarters to operate the ship. In what ended up as a successful mission, the submarine loaded with explosives rammed up against a Union blockade ship in the Charleston Harbor. It sank the blockade ship but disappeared, presumably sunk itself. The final hours and story of what actually happened remained a great mystery for over 100 years. The Hunley was re-discovered in 1995 and subsequently raised in 2000 when they began to excavate and conserve the submarine.




The portraits of women in the Civil War included women that posed as men and put on uniforms to fight (both Union and Confederate), women who were spies, women who were doctors and nurses, and women who took over all manner of responsibilities in factories and on farms. The Hollywood version of women in that era that sat around fanning themselves and swooning over the slightest thing is simply just that -- Hollywood's fantasy. Truly the women on both sides were courageous, resilient women who stepped up to what needed to be done. There were many showcased in this museum.

Fannie Lawrence Ricketts nursed her husband
while he was held in a Confederate prison
Old Bardstown Village

Ten original buildings from the Colonial period (1700's - 1800's) are arranged as a village and open for tours. In season, interpreters take on different roles depicted throughout. A variety of equipment, tools, furniture and artifacts re-create the feeling of what it was like to live in that time.




Bardstown is also known for my "My Old Kentucky Home" where Stephen Foster lived, and for the many bourbon distilleries in the area. There is an historic downtown with several other museums and historic homes to tour. Unfortunately, we didn't get to do those but next time!

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