Visit Locust Grove
Welcome to Locust Grove, a National Historic Landmark and your gateway to early Kentucky beginnings.
General Information
We are located at 561 Blankenbaker Lane, Louisville, KY 40207.
The grounds of Locust Grove are open from sunrise to sunset, with the Visitors’ Center open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Our Tours
Locust Grove offers a Guided House Tour, and Unfolding the Story tour from the perspective of the enslaved. Tickets for a tour can be purchased upon your arrival or in advance here.
Guided House Tour:
Offered Tuesday through Saturday beginning at 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. We recommend arriving at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time for an optional viewing of a 12-minute introductory film in the Visitor’s Center.
During the Guided House Tour, a docent will guide you through the place where Louisville began, exploring the lives of the Croghan and Clark families, the enslaved, and Locust Grove’s famous visitors during early frontier Kentucky. The Guided House Tour is generally between 60 and 90 minutes long.
Unfolding The Story:
Offered on select Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. from April through October. Experience another side of Locust Grove as you accompany the Croghan family’s enslaved laundress, Louisa, and enslaved distillery assistant, Alfred, throughout their daily routine. This 90-minute tour will immerse you in the year 1816 as you witness the sights, smells and sounds of a 19th-century farm all while learning about the lives and stories of the enslaved community at Locust Grove. This tour takes place inside and outside and involves walking and standing, with some seating available. For questions or accommodations, please call 502.897.9845.
Unfolding The Story is a part of the Unfiltered Truth Collection with Louisville Tourism.
Frequently Asked Questions
DIRECTIONS
Admission
House Tours
$12 for adults
$10 for seniors
$6 for children (6-18 years old)
Unfolding the Story:
$18 for adults
$12 for seniors (65+)
$10 for children (6-18 years old)
Visitor’s Center Only: $6 for adults, $3 for children (6-18 years old)
Discounts are offered for Military, AAA, AARP and other organizations. Contact us to see if your organization applies. For groups of 10 or more, ask us about group rates and schedule your visit in advance.
Holiday Closures
We are closed to the public throughout the month of January, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and the first Saturday in May for Kentucky Derby Day.
From I-65
Take I-71 North. Continue on I-71, passing the I-64 split, and exit at Zorn Avenue. Turn left onto Zorn, taking care as you cross the median. Make a right turn onto River road at the light (Chevron Station on the corner). Turn right onto Blankenbaker Lane, approximately 6 miles from downtown Louisville, at the traffic light. You will proceed gradually uphill as you travel away from the river, and will find the entrance to the Locust Grove parking lot on your left, immediately past Twin Hill (on the right).
From Downtown Louisville
Take either the I-71 to Zorn Avenue route described above, or if you are already close to the riverfront, just take River Road all the way out to Blankenbaker Lane.
From points along the Watterson Expressway (I-264)
Take the Watterson eastward to the Brownsboro Road (U. S. 42) exit. At the end of the ramp, turn left and proceed to the third traffic light. Turn right onto Blankenbaker Lane. Locust Grove will come into view within about 1-1/2 miles, just as you crest a small ridge. Make a right turn into the parking lot, just after passing the historic house.
2023 Calendar of Events
03/23/2023
Members’ Preview – Spring Book Sale
Thursday, 10:00am - 7:00pm
More than 20,000 used and new books at all prices, all categories, including travel, science, cookbooks, fiction, history, literature, children's, reference, and more! With used books at reasonable prices, you are sure to find a new treasure to add to your bookshelf. Prices start at $1 for paperbacks and $2 for hardcovers, with a special section of finer books that are individually priced. Proceeds support the educational and preservation programs of Locust Grove. This first day of the sale is a preview for our members only - you can get information about membership here, and you can sign up in advance or at the door.
03/24/2023 - 03/26/2023
Big Spring Book Sale
Friday - Sunday, 10:00am - 4:30pm
More than 20,000 used and new books at all prices, all categories, including travel, science, cookbooks, fiction, history, literature, children's, reference, and more! With used books at reasonable prices, you are sure to find a new treasure to add to your bookshelf. Prices start at $1 for paperbacks and $2 for hardcovers, with a special section of finer books that are individually priced. Proceeds support the educational and preservation programs of Locust Grove.
03/24/2023 - 03/26/2023
Big Spring Book Sale
Friday - Sunday, 10:00am - 4:30pm
More than 20,000 used and new books at all prices, all categories, including travel, science, cookbooks, fiction, history, literature, children's, reference, and more! With used books at reasonable prices, you are sure to find a new treasure to add to your bookshelf. Prices start at $1 for paperbacks and $2 for hardcovers, with a special section of finer books that are individually priced. Proceeds support the educational and preservation programs of Locust Grove.
03/24/2023 - 03/26/2023
Big Spring Book Sale
Friday - Sunday, 10:00am - 4:30pm
More than 20,000 used and new books at all prices, all categories, including travel, science, cookbooks, fiction, history, literature, children's, reference, and more! With used books at reasonable prices, you are sure to find a new treasure to add to your bookshelf. Prices start at $1 for paperbacks and $2 for hardcovers, with a special section of finer books that are individually priced. Proceeds support the educational and preservation programs of Locust Grove.
04/05/2023
Afternoon Lecture Series: Anne Bader
Wednesday, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Archaeological Excavations at Native American Sites in the Falls of the Ohio River Area, with Anne Bader. In this presentation, archaeological investigations in the Falls region will be highlighted. These excavations occurred at sites that span thousands of years of Native American occupation. The research has revealed that this area was a crossroads and dynamic center of activity throughout Native American history. Ms. Bader has nearly 50 years of experience in archaeology and cultural resources management. Experienced in both Native American and Historical archaeology, she has served as Principal Investigator for the full range of archaeological investigations. In 2006, Anne established a woman-owned small business in Corn Island Archaeology LLC to fill a niche providing quality and cost-effective services to local and regional clientele in the Falls of the Ohio River area of north-central Kentucky and southern Indiana. Anne’s primary area of expertise in the Native American settlement of the Falls of the Ohio region, and in 2021,she was co-editor of a published book on this subject. Anne is committed to public archaeology, and founded the Falls of the Ohio Archaeological Society (FOAS) in 2002 which won the Indiana Archaeology Award in 2004. Refreshments will be served, starting at 1:00 pm, with lecture beginning at 1:15 pm. Admission is $6, or $4 for members of Locust Grove.
05/13/2023 - 05/14/2023
Gardeners Fair: Spring on the Farm
Locust Grove returns to its roots as a 19th century farm with the 28th Annual Gardeners' Fair weekend. Search for your own vines and fig trees, perennials and annuals, herbs and native plants, garden art and garden tools from regional vendors. Demonstrators will be on hand to teach about farm animals, growing your own green spaces, and other garden activities. Workshops will be offered for children and adults. Performances by our museum theatre actors throughout the weekend. Food available from Crowler Catering and Sweet 'n Savory food trucks. Admission $8 for adults, $4 for children aged 6-13, free for children under 6. Details here.
05/13/2023 - 05/14/2023
Gardeners Fair: Spring on the Farm
Locust Grove returns to its roots as a 19th century farm with the 28th Annual Gardeners' Fair weekend. Search for your own vines and fig trees, perennials and annuals, herbs and native plants, garden art and garden tools from regional vendors. Demonstrators will be on hand to teach about farm animals, growing your own green spaces, and other garden activities. Workshops will be offered for children and adults. Performances by our museum theatre actors throughout the weekend. Food available from Crowler Catering and Sweet 'n Savory food trucks. Admission $8 for adults, $4 for children aged 6-13, free for children under 6. Details here.
05/18/2023
Kentucky Shakespeare “Hamlet”
Thursday, 1:00pm
06/04/2023
Chamber Music in Pavilion
Sunday, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Join us for an outdoor concert in our events pavilion!