Oxmoor Farm

Oxmoor Farm is a country estate in Louisville with preserved outbuildings including a smokehouse, springhouse, ice house, hemp barn, and former slave quarters on its grounds. The structures date from different building phases and show how a large rural property operated from the late 1700s onward.

The property was given as a wedding gift to Alexander Scott Bullitt in 1786 and named after a farm in the novel Tristram Shandy. Buildings were added from the 1790s through the early 1900s and document the evolution of farming and life across generations.

The gardens were designed in 1911 by landscape architect Marian Coffin and show early successes of female professionals in this field, with formal rose gardens and English borders. Visitors can see how these planted spaces with their ordered design created retreat areas for the family.

Visits are by reservation only and include guided tours showing the full estate and its history. It is helpful to allow time for exploring the gardens and outbuildings, as there is much to see.

The name comes from an 18th century English novel, creating an unexpected literary connection to this Virginia estate. This story of how the place was named shows how European culture influenced early American settlers.

Location: Kentucky

GPS coordinates: 38.23860,-85.60920

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:01