bardstown community profile · 2013-02-15 · dating back to1780, bardstown is kentucky’s second...

BARDSTOWNand Nelson County

A Community Profilepublished by

Bourbon Capital of the World®

Bardstown Community Profile.qk 7/18/08 4:08 PM Page c1

A COMMUNITY PROFILEPUBLISHED BY

This special advertising report is published by Lane Communications Group

201 East Main Street, Lexington, KY 40507859-244-3500 lanereport.com

Cover photo: Awalk along Main Street in Downtown Bardstown.

Editorial content provided by the Nelson County Economic Development Agency was written by Tim Ballard.

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2 There’s Nothing Small About This Small TownDating back to 1780, Bardstownis Kentucky’s second oldest city

4 Bardstown: Southern Charmand a Respect for TraditionSchool systems, health care and recreationalactivities make Bardstown feel surprisingly big

6 Bardstown: One of the Top 50Small Communities in the U.S.More than 40 national and international facilities call Bardstown and Nelson County their ‘home’

10 A Walk Through History200 buildings in downtown Bardstown areon the National Register of Historic Places

12 A Gem in TourismWorldwide tourists visit over 25 attractions andmore than 30 annual events in Nelson County

14 Nelson County Is theWorld’s Bourbon CapitalThe annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival offersmore than 30 events spread across six days

16 Bardstown/Nelson CountyAnnual Events

For more information on Bardstown and Nelson Countygo to www.visitbardstown.com

BARDSTOWNand Nelson CountyBourbon Capital of the World®

Bardstown Community Profile.qk 7/18/08 4:08 PM Page 1

THERE’S nothing small aboutthis small town. That could wellbe the motto of Bardstown. Nes-tled in the heart of Kentucky’srolling hills, Bardstown is a com-

munity whose leaders have forged a balancebetween progressiveness and the historicpreservation befitting Kentucky’s secondoldest city.

The historic Talbott Tavern and the newstate-of-the-art Flaget Memorial Hospitalembody the blend of tradition and progressthat is to be found in Bardstown.

Ever since Stephen Foster immortalizedFederal Hill estate in his song “My Old Ken-tucky Home,” Bardstown has been synony-mous with a graceful style of living. But it’smore than that. It’s a place where you cansettle in and be welcomed with traditional

Southern hospitality, where people speak toyou even if they don’t know you – and areglad to welcome you home.

“Bardstown’s population continues togrow each year, as does our business com-munity” said Kim Huston, president of theNelson County Economic DevelopmentAgency. “From the unique shops in our his-toric downtown shopping district to thenational companies in our retail centers, wecontinue to be an economically vital areathat is the center of retail shopping and din-ing for a multi-county area.”

Dating to 1780, Bardstown is Kentucky’ssecond oldest city. Since that time whenlog, brick and stone homes rose from thewilds of western Virginia, Bardstown haswelcomed travelers from around the world.For more than 225 years its hospitality, fine

restaurants in historic surroundings andaccommodations have made those visitorsfeel right at home.

Bardstown and Nelson County arestrong in spirit – that’s religious spirit and alittle spirit called Bourbon. The area’s eclec-tic shops, cultural and historical heritageblend beautifully with that spirit. NelsonCounty is home to My Old Kentucky Homeand “Stephen Foster – The Musical,” vin-tage trains and museums dedicated to theCivil War, railroads and Bourbon.

The area has benefited from its centrallocation, with easy access to three interstates

2 The Lane Report’s Bardstown/Nelson County Community Profile

There’s Nothing SmallAbout This Small TownDating back to 1780, Bardstown is Kentucky’s second oldest city

The annual Zarb Brothers Street Concert draws thou-sands to downtown Bardstown and is a highlight ofthe summer event season.

“Bardstown has a long and significantlypositive record in terms of economicdevelopment, tourism and historicpreservation. Our accomplishmentshave been recognized in many nationalpublications. I field numerous requestsannually from representatives of othercities looking to make improvements intheir efforts. The city’s quality of life andthe economic opportunities available inBardstown are something many citiescan only aspire to achieve.

—Bardstown MayorDick Heaton


and the Martha Layne Collins Bluegrass Park-way. The Louisville International Airport isonly minutes away, while Samuels Field justoutside Bardstown has a 5,000-foot runwaythat can handle most business jets.

With location, modern infrastructureand two industrial parks, Bardstown hascontinued to attract new industries. Twocompanies chose Nelson County for majornew facilities in the past two years.

“We have new industries makingannouncements, our tourist attractions con-tinue to grow, new businesses continue toopen, and we have a vibrant downtown,”Huston said.

Even people who stumble upon Bard-stown by chance fall in love with the town,as did Marie and Jim Miskell. They hadnever heard of Bardstown when theystopped here in 1991 on a vacation cele-brating their 30th wedding anniversary. Itjust happened to be a convenient place tostop. They walked around town and wereimpressed by the fact that women were

walking alone forexercise in theevening. On theirwalk back to themotel, they decidedto stay a couple ofdays instead of justspending the night.

The next year,Jim retired. Afternot being able tofind a place innortheastern Penn-sylvania that suitedthem, they returnedto Bardstown.

“We just love thepeople here,” Jimsaid. “We’re very,very happy here.”

The quality of life offered by Bardstownand Nelson County is as exceptional as thefriendliness of the locals who welcome visi-tors with open arms. The city-county recre-ation department offers activities for allages, and the county has four 18-hole golfcourses. Music abounds, with the StephenFoster drama, an annual street concert, con-certs in the park, concerts at the recreationpavilion and concerts the third Friday ofeach month as part of the Third on Thirdevents on North Third Street.

Flaget Memorial Hospital recentlymoved into a state-of-the-art building and

has been named one of the best hospitals inthe country four years in a row. Newcomerswith children have their choice of two pub-lic school systems and a parochial schoolsystem. The county library moved into newquarters in 2007 and has already had toexpand. It also has branches in Bloomfieldand New Haven and a bookmobile that vis-its retirement homes and smaller communi-ties throughout the county.

No, there’s nothing small about Bard-stown – except the small-town atmospherepeople love and that continues to thrivewhile business is booming. ■

The Lane Report’s Bardstown/Nelson County Community Profile 3

Best of:■ 100 Best Small Towns in America■ 50 Best Small Southern Towns■ America’s Most Charming Towns and Villages■ AAA NY Magazine ranked Bardstown as one of its

“Five Favorite Southern Cities” ■ Site Selection Magazine named Bardstown one of the “Top 100

Small Towns to do Business” 3 years in a row■ Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail, of which Bardstown is the heart,

was featured in 1,000 Places to See Before you Die.

Other Communities in Nelson County■ Bloomfield: Mayor Ronnie Bobblett, (502) 252-5235■ New Haven: Mayor Tessie Cecil, (502) 549-3177■ Fairfield: Mayor Tom Trent, (502) 252-5171■ Boston: Voices of Boston, Gaines Greene, (502) 833-4863

Nelson County’s economic development effortsare led by Nelson County Judge Dean Watts,Kim Huston, president of the Nelson CountyEconomic Development Agency, and BardstownMayor Dick Heaton.

“Despite the housing downturn in thenational economy, our overall economicfuture looks great in Nelson County.Our diversity is truly an asset. The eco-nomic opportunities in Nelson Countyare very strong for new industries and forthe expansion of our existing industries.”

—Nelson CountyJudge-Executive

Dean Watts The Olde Bloomfield Meeting Hall houses a four-lane bowling alley, a skating rink, pool tablesand arcade games. Bloomfield, in northeast Nelson County, was founded in 1790.



WHEN you call Bard-stown home, you’llfind a delightful placein which to live. ItsSouthern charm and

respect for tradition are just what you’dexpect from a small town. Year after year,Bardstown continues to be honored andincluded in the elite list as “One of the 100Best Small Towns in America.”

Excellent school systems, sophisticatedhealth care services, and a complete range ofentertainment and recreational activitiesmake Bardstown feel surprisingly big.

After spending just a few hours in Bard-stown and Nelson County you’ll understandwhy we are nationally recognized as a placepeople and businesses want to call home.

Roger Dalraine, a native of Hereford-shire, England, is one person who decided to

call Bardstown home. Dalraine is a consult-ant who works on ID and security accesscontrol and designs habitability items forthe U.S. Navy. The town’s easy access tomajor highways and airports was a big draw.

“There is a small but thriving artistic com-munity and a superb choice of schools, fromMontessori to your choice of three highschools. If you are contemplating a move, avisit to Bardstown would be a good invest-ment of your time.”

Parks and recreationThere’s plenty to keep you and your familybusy when you do get here. If you like togolf, Nelson County boasts four 18-hole golfcourses (see sidebar on page 5). The courseat My Old Kentucky Home State Park hoststhe annual Bourbon Open. The May 2009tournament will be the 64th edition.

“What we have tried to do is make ourdepartment more family-oriented, not justfor any particular age group,” said DonnaPaschal, director of the joint city-countyrecreation department.

To that end, the department offers yogalessons, water aerobics and other activitiessuited to all ages, as well as the traditionalyouth leagues in softball, baseball, soccerand basketball.

“People want to improve their quality oflife,” Paschal said, “and by leading an activelifestyle they can.”

The 35-acre Dean Watts Park just outsideBardstown boasts soccer fields, football fields,lighted baseball/softball fields, a paved walkingpath, playground equipment and picnic tables.Other youth sports take place in town at the

Bardstown: Southern Charmand a Respect for TraditionSchool systems, health care and recreational activities make Bardstown feel surprisingly big

Nelson County’s Flaget Memorial Hospital is part of the St. Joseph Healthcare System and has been named a national “Top 100 Hospital” four years in a row.

The Visitor’s Center at Bernheim Arboretumand Research Forest in Nelson and Bullittcounties received the platinum award fromthe U.S. Green Building Council LEED for itsdesign featuring passive and active solardesign, geothermal exchange, and the use of recycled building materials.


recreation complex on WestBroadway and JonesAvenue. The complexincludes the city pool, agym, tennis courts, a sandvolleyball court, skate parkand a baseball/softball field.In addition to the sportsfacilities, the complex has apicnic area with a lightedpavilion, tables, benchesand grills.

Park facilities are alsoavailable in Bloomfieldand New Haven. BernheimArboretum and ResearchForest nearby welcomeshikers to its 14,000-acreforest that features numer-ous trails and picnic areas.

EducationThe area offers the best ofboth private and publiceducation. The Bardstownschool district operates anearly childhood center, primary school,elementary school, middle school and highschool. It also provides an adult educationprogram for older students. The NelsonCounty school district has elementary andmiddle schools in Bardstown, Bloomfield,Boston, Cox’s Creek and New Haven. Nel-son County High is just east of Bardstown,and the system is planning a new highschool on the growing northwest side of

town. The county system also operates theNelson County Area Technology Center.The Archdiocese of Louisville offersCatholic education at elementary schoolsin Bardstown, Howardstown, New Havenand Samuels. Most of the students fromthose schools go on to Bethlehem HighSchool in downtown Bardstown.

Higher education is readily available inthe area. St. Catharine College and Eliza-bethtown Community and Technical Col-lege offer classes in Bardstown. More thantwo dozen higher education institutions,including the University of Louisville andthe University of Kentucky, are within 65miles of Bardstown.

If you’re into broadening your horizonson your own, the Nelson County PublicLibrary recently moved into new quartersin Bardstown, greatly expanding the roomavailable for patrons. The new quartersprovide meeting rooms for communityfunctions, and the library has a well-stocked genealogy room for people tracingtheir ancestors.

Health Care The library sits on the site of the formerFlaget Memorial Hospital, which has movedto a modern facility on KY 245 northwest ofBardstown. Flaget has garnered nationalattention, having been named one of thebest in America each of the past four yearsby the 100 Top Hospitals Program®. Theprogram rates 3,000 hospitals across thecountry on the quality of care, efficienttreatment at a reasonable cost and howmuch the community can rely on the hospi-tal. Flaget was one of only 20 small hospitalsin the country to receive the award in 2008.

“I could not be more proud of our staff’sefforts to make Flaget such a safe, caring and

financially strong hospital that serves the needsof our community,” Flaget President BruceKlockars said. “Our community leaders, man-agement team, physicians, employees and vol-unteers deserve many thanks for all their hardwork and their commitment to excellence.”

Flaget provides physicians and surgeons inmore than 20 different specialties and offerscardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, painmanagement, sleep disorder, trauma, physicaltherapy and occupational therapy services.

ReligionFlaget Memorial Hospital was founded as acooperative effort between communityleaders and the Sisters of Charity ofNazareth, a religious order that began inNelson County nearly 200 years ago. It wasnamed for Bishop Benedict Joseph Flaget,the first bishop of the Diocese of Bard-stown, which was created in 1808.

Religion continues to play an importantrole in Nelson County, with congregationsrepresenting all the major denominations.

HousingWhether it’s downtown loft living, a golfcourse community lifestyle or a home inthe country, you can find that and more inNelson County. Based on these factors,including health care, housing, recreationand location, Best Places to Retire Maga-zine has chosen Bardstown and NelsonCounty as one of the best places to retirein the U.S. ■


Golf CoursesBardstown Country Club, Maywood:18 holes, 6,965 yards, par 72

Bardstown Country Club, WoodlawnSprings: 18 holes, 6,532 yards, par 72

Cedar-Fil: 18 holes, 5,938 yards, par 72

My Old Kentucky Home State Park:18 holes, 6,351 yards, par 71

There are three schools systems in NelsonCounty – a private parochial system, the Nelson County system and the BardstownIndependent system, which includes Bardstown High School shown here.



THERE are several reasons whyBardstown was chosen for threeconsecutive years by Site Selec-tion Magazine as one of the top50 small communities in the

U.S. to locate or expand a company. A cen-tral location, access to major highways andairports, a willing workforce, and excellentquality of life make doing business hereaffordable and profitable.

From our tradition-rich Bourbon distiller-ies to our more recently-established automo-tive component manufacturers, more than 40national and international manufacturingfacilities have chosen Bardstown and NelsonCounty the place they call “home.”

Kim Huston, president of the NelsonCounty Economic Development Agency(NCEDA), said,“We are proud of our beauti-fully designed industrial parks that offer themost up-to-date infrastructure, rail service,easy assess to major highways, and some of thelowest electric rates in the country.”

Louisville, the nation’s 16th largest city,is only 35 miles to the north and offers aninternational airport, the UPS hub, amajor university and access to three majorinterstates. With expansion of the Bard-stown airport, new waste treatment and

Bardstown: One of the Top 50Small Communities in the U.S.More than 40 national and international manufacturing facilities call Bardstown and Nelson County their ‘home’

Over 40 manufacturing facilities in NelsonCounty produce a diverse range of productsfrom automotive parts to Bourbon.

“We are proud of our beautifullydesigned industrial parks that offerthe most up-to-date infrastructure.”

—NCEDA PresidentKim Huston



water tower facilities, Nelson County con-tinues to improve its infrastructure, keep-ing up with the demand of this fast-grow-ing county.

NCEDA has scored recently with two bigannouncements. NPR, a Japanese automo-tive parts manufacturer, and Flowers Foods, aGeorgia-based baking company, have bothchosen Nelson County as the location fortheir newest U.S. ventures. NPR decided in2006 to come to Nelson County, and was fol-lowed a year later by Flowers, whose brandsinclude Nature’s Own, Sunbeam and Bunny

Bread. Huston said both plants will eventual-ly have up to 150 employees in their200,000-s.f. facilities.

When NPR made its announcement,company President Fumiaki Moriyaexplained why the firm chose Bardstown for

Nelson County economic development leaders were on hand as former KentuckyGovernor Ernie Fletcher announced that Nippon Piston Ring (NPR) of Japan will build its newest North American plant in Bardstown.

Nelson CountyPopulation and Income


its third U.S. plant, which will supplyautomakers in both the U.S. and Japan.

“Having carefully studied the candi-date sites in various respects,” Moriyasaid, “We found Bardstown to be head andshoulders above any other community forour requirements.”

Flowers Foods also found Bardstown anideal location and will be the first manufactur-ing facility in the new Nelson County Industri-al Park, which is located adjacent to theMartha Layne Collins Bluegrass Parkway.

“Demand for our baked foods continues togrow as we expand our geographic territory andgain greater share within our existing, core mar-kets,” said George E. Deese, chairman, chiefexecutive officer, and president of FlowersFoods. “Bardstown is strategically located at thenorthern part of our current market territory forfresh baked foods, and this bakery will helpserve new markets as we expand northward.”

Bardstown and Nelson County offerprospective manufacturers two industrialparks from which to choose, with sitesranging from five to 100 acres. Both indus-trial parks have a full complement of state-of-the-art utilities and easy access to majorhighways. It’s not unusual for other com-munities to offer companies those same

Labor Force Characteristics

NELSON COUNTY LABOR MARKET AREA

Civilian Labor Force 21,502 542,765Unemployment Rate 5.8% 5.3%

Flowers Foods of Thomasville, Ga., selected NelsonCounty Industrial Park as the location of itsnewest baking operation. Flowers Foods brandsinclude Nature’s Own, Sunbeam and Bunny Breads.



site-selection benefits, so why does Bard-stown continue to attract manufacturers?Huston has the answer.

“The beauty, charm, Southern hospitalityand pride of community that is shown dailymakes Bardstown a place where people want tolive and work,” she said. “The leadership inNelson County is proactive in making surethat the amenities and infrastructure needed tooperate a successful business are in place fornew and expanding businesses.”

Along with a dynamic industrial base,Bardstown and Nelson County have athriving business sector. More than 500businesses are members of the Bardstown-Nelson County Chamber of Commerce,which is celebrating its 85th year in 2008.

“The chamber provides an opportunity forlocal business people to share ideas and devel-op goals. We offer the support businesses needto foster their continued growth and prosperi-ty,” Executive Director Dorothy White said.

A growing and vibrant downtown Bard-stown is inspired by projects like the Third on

Third Street actitivies, together with revital-ization efforts like the Town Meeting Hall innearby Bloomfield and events like Day OutWith Thomas the Train in New Haven.

“We all work to create an atmosphereof positive growth and energy that drawsnew businesses to our area and forecasts ahealthy economic future for Nelson Coun-ty,” White said. ■

Top Five Industries

TYPE OF INDUSTRY NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES

American Greetings Greeting Cards 655Heaven Hill Distilleries Distilled Spirits 515Tower Automotive Auto Parts 483American Fuji Seal Labels and Wraps 400TrimMasters Auto Parts 387

“The Chamber provides an opportunityfor local business people to share ideasand develop goals.”

—Bardstown-Nelson CountyChamber of Commerce

Executive DirectorDorothy White



Bardstown’s historic downtown ismore than just shops and restau-rants. It is one of the most visitedattractions in Nelson County.“Unlike so many small towns in

America, we are not only surviving, we aregrowing,” said Rita Riley, Bardstown’s Main

Street manager. She works with potential newbusinesses to find locations to open downtown.

The downtown area houses a diversityof shops, boutiques, galleries and restau-rants. Spalding and Sons, a clothing store,is of particular note. It has been owned andoperated by the same family since 1856.

And lots of peoplelike to drop intoHurst’s Drugstore onthe corner for a treatat the old-fashionedsoda fountain.

The old countyjail, part of whichdates to 1819, hasbeen turned into abed and breakfast,one of several down-town. The adventur-ous can even spendthe night in one ofthe old cells and readpoems written on thewalls by inmates.

Next door is theOld Talbott Tavern,which dates to thelate 1700s. It is oneof the stops on theGhost Walk, which

takes listeners on a tour ofhaunted downtown.

In addition to the GhostWalk, downtown offers car-riage rides, street concerts, afarmer’s market, trolley ridesand Third on Third, whenThird Street businesses stayopen late on the third Fridayof each month with specialactivities and entertainment.

More than 300 buildings inNelson County are on theNational Register of HistoricPlaces – and nearly 200 of thosebuildings are in downtownBardstown. The old NelsonCounty Courthouse houses theWelcome Center, all the Nel-son County economic develop-ment agencies, several county

offices, the county judge-executive, andplanning and zoning. That’s why the Ken-tucky Heritage Council/State HistoricPreservation Office chose Bardstown for its2008 conference and used the historic build-ings downtown as classrooms.

“It will be exciting to be able to showother Kentuckians how committed Bard-stown is to the preservation of our heritageand how these buildings are being utilized,”Riley said. ■

A Walk Through History 200 buildings in downtown Bardstown are on the National Register of Historic Places

Built in 1892, the Old NelsonCounty Courthouse is now Nelson County’s Welcome Centerand home to all Nelson Countyeconomic development agencies,the Kentucky Bourbon Festival,and Nelson County offices.

Enjoy a captivating experience at the Jailer’s Inn Bed and Breakfast.Tours of the original 1819 jail are offered.

Kreso’s Restaurant in downtown Bardstown’sbeautifully restored Arco Theatre is one ofmany fine dining venues.


FOR decades, Bardstown has been atop destination for visitors, many ofwhom come to Kentucky specifical-ly to visit one of the town’s manyattractions. And, as with industry

and downtown, Bardstown isn’t content toremain static in what it has to offer visitors.

“With over 25 quality attractions andmore than 30 annual events, Bardstown/Nelson County is a gem in Kentucky’stourism industry,” said Dawn Przystal, thecounty’s vice president for tourism expan-sion and marketing.

That gem attracts visitors from all over theworld, and has for decades. Queen Marija ofRomania visited Bardstown’s signature attrac-tion, My Old Kentucky Home State Park, inthe 1920s, and people from across the globefind their way to town in ever-increasing num-bers more than eight decades later.

“Travel writers keep falling in love withus,” Przystal said, “because there are so manythings to see and do here.”

My Old Kentucky Home State Parkoffers tours of the historic home of theRowan family, whose plantation inspiredKentucky’s state song. Each summer theamphitheater at the park plays host to“Stephen Foster – The Musical,” which cel-ebrated its 50th anniversary in 2008, at leastone other Broadway musical and a Mondaynight concert series that has featured suchacts as Herman’s Hermits, The DixieChicks, The Four Tops and other interna-tionally acclaimed performers. The park alsohas an 18-hole golf course.

Bourbon, Billy Yank and Johnny RebBardstown is synonymous with Bourbon,and the smooth Kentucky spirit bringsmany visitors to town. Nelson County is

the heart of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail,and Bardstown hosts the Kentucky BourbonFestival each September. In 2007, festivalattendees came from 40 states and 14 for-eign nations.

Bourbon isn’t the only spirit that bringstourists to town, though. As the capstoneevent of the Kentucky WineFest, the Bard-stown Rotary Club hosts an annual wineand cheese festival each May on thegrounds of historical Spalding Hall, whichhouses both the Oscar Getz Museum of


A Gem in TourismWorldwide tourists visit over 25 quality attractions and more than 30 annual events in Nelson County

Re-live the elegance of railcar dining as you travel through Bourbon country on My Old Kentucky Dinner Train.

Federal Hill was the inspiration for Stephen Foster’s “My Old Kentucky Home.”

For 50 years, “Stephen Foster - the Musical”has delighted audiences with breathtakingcostumes, lively dance and the timeless musicof America’s first great composer.

“Travel writers keep falling in lovewith us.”

—Nelson County Vice President forTourism Expansion and Marketing

Dawn Przystal



Whiskey History and the Bardstown Histor-ical Museum. Spalding Hall, originally partof St. Joseph College and Seminary, servedas a hospital for both Union and Confeder-ate soldiers during the Civil War.

Bardstown and Nelson County com-memorate the history of our nation’s gravestperiod with the Civil War Museum of theWestern Theater, one of the four mostimportant Civil War museums in the coun-try, as well as the Women’s Civil War Muse-um. Civil War living history weekends com-plete with re-enactors are held throughoutthe year.

The two Civil War museums are part ofwhat is called Museum Row. Other attrac-tions on the Row include Old BardstownVillage, which gives visitors a glimpse of lifein the 1790s; the Wildlife and Natural His-tory Museum, with exhibits of more than ahundred life-sized animals; and the WarMemorial of Mid America, which pays trib-ute to America’s veterans from the Revolu-tionary War through Desert Storm.

Religion, railroads and racingSpalding Hall sits next to the Basilica of St.Joseph Proto-Cathedral, the see of BishopBenedict Joseph Flaget, who was namedhead of the Diocese of Bardstown after itwas formed in 1808. St. Joe, as locals affec-tionately call it, is open for tours and dis-plays historic paintings that were the gifts ofKing Francis I of the Two Sicilies and PopeLeo XII. A few miles south of town is St.Thomas Catholic Church, where the logcabin in which Flaget lived when he firstcame to Kentucky has been restored.

Other notable religious sites in NelsonCounty are Nazareth and the Abbey ofGethsemani. Nazareth, just north of Bard-

stown, is the home of the Sisters of Charityof Nazareth, a religious order founded at St.Thomas in 1812. Meanwhile, the abbey wasfounded in 1848 by the Order of TrappistCistercians, who welcome guests at a visi-tors’ center and offer retreats for both menand women. Gethsemani is about a dozenmiles from Bardstown in Trappist.

From Trappist it’s not far to New Haven,home of the Kentucky Railway Museum.

The museum is more than a museum,though: it’s an operating train station, com-plete with old No. 152, the state’s officialsteam engine. More than 40,000 peopleeach year visit the small town in southernNelson County to tour the museum andtake a 22-mile, 90-minute train ride fromNew Haven to Boston and back. Specialevents are scheduled each year, some inconjunction with the Rolling Fork IronHorse Festival every September.

Luxurious railway dining a la the 1940sis available on My Old Kentucky DinnerTrain, which travels from Bardstownthrough part of Bernheim Forest to Cler-mont, then returns. Lunch excursions areoffered on Saturdays, and special events arescheduled throughout the year, including anon-board murder mystery.

If four wheels are of more interest, theBluegrass Motor Speedway features latemodel, open-wheel modified, Bluegrasssportsman and street stock sportsman raceseach week on a half-mile clay oval track.The speedway is just south of the BluegrassParkway at Exit 21 (U.S. 31E).

A local car club, the Whiskey CityCruisers, has a car show the second Saturdayof each month from April through October,and horse-drawn carriage rides are availabledowntown year-round.

For more information about these andother attractions, go to visitbardstown.com. ■

Culinary Art: Bourbon-Style Cooking Schoolduring the Kentucky Bourbon Festival drawssell-out crowds.

Bells, lights and steam whistles abound at Kentucky’s Official Railway Museum.Take a ride through the historic Rolling Fork River Valley.


KENTUCKY has been known forBourbon for more than 200years, and Nelson County is theheart of Kentucky’s BourbonTrail, which celebrates Ameri-

ca’s only native spirit. Nelson County isthe home of three distilleries, Jim Beam,Heaven Hill and Constellation Spirits.Maker’s Mark, Wild Turkey, Four Rosesand Buffalo Trace distilleries are only shortdrives away.

“With four nearby distilleries producingthe majority of the world’s Bourbon andhosting of the Kentucky Bourbon Festival,Bardstown has earned the distinction of theBourbon Capital of the World,” said DawnPrzystal, the county’s vice president fortourism expansion and marketing.

Heaven Hill, founded after Prohibitionended, is the largest independent family-ownedproducer and marketer of distilled spirits andproduces such Bourbons as Evan Williams, Eli-

jah Craig and Old Fitzgerald. Heaven Hill ishome to the world’s second largest holding ofaging Kentucky whiskey, representing over 16percent of the world’s future supply.

The distillery recently opened its state-of-the-art Bourbon Heritage Center on the out-skirts of Bardstown. The center features interac-tive exhibits, an educational movie, a barrel-shaped tasting room and a gift shop. Visitors cantake guided tours of the operation – and caneven create a personalized bottle as a souvenir.

Jim Beam has production facilities nearBoston in Nelson County and at Clermont,just over the county line in neighboringBullitt County. The Clermont facility ishome to Jim Beam’s American Outpost,which commemorates the history of theseven generations of Beams in the Bourbonindustry. Visitors can tour the grounds andthe Beam family home, view exhibits, sam-ple Bourbon chocolates and browse throughthe gift shop. The Beam home is on theNational Register of Historic Places andhouses two centuries of family memorabilia.

In historic Spalding Hall in downtownBardstown, the Oscar Getz Museum ofWhiskey History delights visitors of all ages.Getz’s family purchased a distillery in Bard-stown in 1944 and named it Barton Distillery,now Constellation Spirits. Getz spent 50 yearsaccumulating a vast collection of historicalitems pertaining to whiskey, and his wife,Emma, presented it to the City of Bardstownafter her husband’s death in 1983.

Exhibits tell the story of whiskey andinclude rare artifacts from colonial days topost-Prohibition, including an authenticmoonshine still. Displays also tell about thewhiskey connections of George Washingtonand Abraham Lincoln.

To honor the area’s Bourbon heritage, theinternationally renowned Kentucky BourbonFestival was begun as a local effort in 1992,with one event. Today the festival has morethan 30 events spread over six days.

“International” is correct. In the pastfive years media from Canada, England,Australia, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland,


Nelson County is the World’s Bourbon CapitalThe annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown offers more the 30 events spread across six days

Heaven Hill Distilleries Bourbon Heritage Center is a state-of-the-art visitor center designed to provide the ultimate educational and entertainment experience.

Kentucky is theHome of BourbonBourbon is a distinctive product of theUnited States. To be considered Bour-bon, whiskey must contain at least 51percent but no more than 80 percentcorn. The mash has to be distilled atless than 160 proof, aged at no morethan 125 proof and bottled at 80 proofor more. The aging must be done innew, charred white oak barrels for atleast two years and the taste cannot beadulterated in any way. After the bar-rels have been used once, any whiskeyaged in them can’t be called Bourbon.



Japan and Russia have come to Bardstownto write about the Kentucky Bourbon Festi-val. The 2007 festival drew 55,000 peoplefrom 40 states and 14 foreign countries.

“Bourbon is growing in popularity world-wide, especially in Asia,” said Milt Spald-ing, the festival’s executive director. “TheBourbon business is booming, and the festi-val is popular because there’s somethinghere for everyone.”

Events include such favorites as barrel-making demonstrations, hot-air balloons,concerts and dances, a Bourbon cookingschool, art made from Bourbon barrels, a

golf tournament, a motorcycle run and a 5Krun and walk. Oh, and don’t forget TheGreat Kentucky Bourbon Tasting and Gala,the festival’s premier event. ■

Above: Jim Beam American Outpost allows visitors to explore the rich heritage and modern-day production method of this 200-year-old distillery.

Right: The Oscar Getz Museum of Whisky History in Spalding Hall houses an extensivecollection of Bourbon memorabilia from the1700s to today.


BARDSTOWN and Nelson Countyhost annual events that offer some-thing for all members of the family.

Those events include:

AprilAntique Show and SaleSpring Plowing at WicklandKentucky Bourbon Festival Sampler

MayMy Old Kentucky HomecomingBourbon Open Golf TournamentKentucky WineFestRotary’s Wine and Cheese Tasting

JuneBardstown Bluegrass FestivalZarb Brothers’ Street Concert

JulyFourth of July CelebrationSidewalk Days

AugustButtermilk Days Festival

SeptemberRolling Fork Iron Horse FestivalOld Kentucky Home Bike TourKentucky Bourbon Festival

OctoberWickland Corn MazeBardstown Arts, Crafts and Antiques Fair

NovemberHoliday PreviewChristmas ’Round Bardstown

DecemberChristmas ’Round BardstownCandlelight Tour of HomesSanta on the Square

For more information, call 800-638-4877or go to www.visitbardstown.com.


Bardstown/Nelson County Annual Events

The Great Kentucky Bourbon Tasting and Gala is a signature event of the Kentucky Bourbon Festival. The black tie gala is a Bourbon lover’s dream.


bardstown community profile · 2013-02-15 · dating back to1780, bardstown is kentucky’s second...

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