Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate

Visiting Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate is like taking a step back in time. Allow at least an hour, but on a pretty day you’ll want to take no less than two hours to see the house, visit the museum store, have lunch, and enjoy the serene and historic grounds and to stroll the formal garden. You won’t want to miss lunch in the pleasant surroundings of the Ginkgo Tree Cafe located on the brick patio surrounding the smokehouse. And, of course, the most important part of your visit is a guided tour of the 18-room mansion. There are also six outbuildings that have been restored and changing exhibits in the 1846 cottage. The main house has been recently renovated and is furnished with Clay family antiques and other memorabilia - many of them dating back to Henry and Lucretia Clay’s time. The appearance of the home today is as it was when Henry Clay’s granddaughter lived at Ashland in the late 19th century. Your tour begins with an introduction to Henry Clay and Ashland with a 12-minute videotape before your guide greets you and takes you through the house.