Old Fort Harrod State Park

Old Fort Harrod State Park is a reconstructed settlement with log structures including military quarters, family cabins, a schoolhouse, and period-accurate frontier buildings set within stone walls. The grounds also feature a mansion-style museum displaying artifacts and collections from the region's early years.

James Harrod founded this settlement in 1774 as the first permanent American community in Kentucky, with thirty pioneers building the original fort. This early outpost became a significant location during the period of westward expansion.

The Mansion Museum displays regional artifacts from the Civil War era and items connected to pioneering families who shaped the settlement. Visitors encounter the everyday objects and possessions that tell stories of frontier life.

The site is open from sunrise to sunset, allowing visitors to explore the fort layout and surrounding grounds at their own pace. An old cemetery on the property provides insight into the early settlement's history.

A cabin on the property preserves the location where Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks, the parents of President Abraham Lincoln, were married. This connection to one of America's most significant historical figures draws visitors interested in the country's leadership history.

Location: Kentucky

Opening Hours: sunrise-sunset

Website: https://parks.ky.gov/harrodsburg/parks/historic/old-fort-harrod-state-park

GPS coordinates: 37.76190,-84.84890

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:47