SINGING IN THE SPIRIT: THE AFRICAN AMERICAN SACRED MUSIC TRADITION
February 10, 2025 6:00 pm
Woodford County Library – Main Library
115 N. Main St, Versailles, KY
Admission: Free
Spirituals and gospel music are much more than pleasing songs to listen to—they are powerful representations of the triumphant spirit and faith that have defined African- American music and people. In celebration of Black History Month, Berea Professor Dr. Katherine Bullock takes the audience on a musical journey from West Africa through the middle passage to the North American shores where the African-American culture was forged. Through songs, stories, and performance, this participatory program lets the audience experience the beauty, joy, and power of this music and culture. Presented in partnership with the Woodford County Library and the Huntertown Community Interpretative Park.
WOMAN’S WORK: FRONTIER DOMESTIC SKILLS
March 15, 2025 2:00 pm
Jack Jouett House Historic Site Buildings
255 Craig’s Creek Road, Versailles, KY
Admission: Free
In honor of Women’s History Month, learn about the unsung heroes of the frontier—the women. Why does history so rarely acknowledge and teach about “woman’s work”? Reenactor and author Emily Burns will discuss the skills which made life possible in the difficult earliest days of Kentucky. Feel free to bring your knitting or hand sewing.
SAVORING THE PAST: PLANNING AND PLANTING A HISTORIC HERB GARDEN
March 29, 2025 2:00 pm
Jack Jouett House Historic Site Visitor Center
255 Craig’s Creek Road, Versailles, KY
Admission: Free
Discover our colonial herb garden, which was planned, installed, and maintained by the Woodford Herbalist Club. Learn about colonial/frontier uses of herbs for cooking, healing, and dyeing. After a talk by the Herbalist Club, tour the garden, and learn how to create your own herb garden.
SEASON BEGINS
Open April-October: Friday Noon-5 pm; Saturday 10 am-4 pm; Sunday 1-5 pm.
Tours are also available by appointment throughout the year.
TWO LIGHTS FOR TOMORROW: TWO HEROES ON HORSEBACK
April 18, 2025 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Old State Capitol, 300 W. Broadway, Frankfort, KY- Lawn
Admission: Free
Join the Jack Jouett House Historic Site and the Kentucky Historical Society when two lights are displayed at the Old State Capitol as a reminder of the lights shining at the Old North Church during Paul Revere’s ride. The event will also commemorate Jack Jouett’s 40-mile ride on June 3 – 4, 1781, which prevented British troops from capturing Governor Thomas Jefferson and the Virginia General Assembly, with a visit by Jack Jouett himself.
Presented in partnership with the Kentucky Historical Society and America 250KY.
WELCOME BACK! GRAND REOPENING OF THE JACK JOUETT HOUSE
April 19, 2025 2:00 pm
Jack Jouett House Historic Site Buildings and Visitor Center
255 Craig’s Creek Road, Versailles, KY
Admission: Free
Visit us as we showcase recent improvements and acquisitions at the Jack Jouett House and meet our new Executive Director. Join us as Jack Jouett tells us the story of his historic ride that changed the course of American history, and stay for music and refreshments.
47th ANNUAL HORSEY HUNDRED BICYCLE RIDE: REST STOP
May 24, 2025 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Jack Jouett House Historic Site Visitor Center
255 Craig’s Creek Road, Versailles, KY
JACK JOUETT SKILLET TOSS AT THE WOODFORD COUNTY FAIR
May 29, 2025 8:00 pm
Woodford County Fairgrounds
293 Beasley Rd, Versailles, KY
Admission: Fair Entry Ticket
Legend has it that Jack Jouett intervened in a domestic squabble on his way to Kentucky, and received a skillet on the head for his trouble. Test your skillet-tossing strength and win a prize if you measure up to frontier standards. Ladies only, although gentlemen are encouraged to provide huzzahs!
FOUNDER’S DAY
May 31, 2025 Noon – 5:00 pm
Jack Jouett House Historic Site Grounds
255 Craig’s Creek Road, Versailles, KY
Admission: Free
Join us as we celebrate the 244th anniversary of Jack Jouett’s ride to save
American Independence. Experience life in Revolutionary America with an afternoon of fun children’s activities, crafts, games, and period demonstrations by Revolutionary War reenactors.
BLUEGRASS MUSIC ON THE LAWN
June 14, 2025 6:00 pm
Jack Jouett House Historic Site Grounds
255 Craig’s Creek Road, Versailles, KY
Admission: Free
Bring a chair or blanket to enjoy the music of the Will Padgett Trio.
ICE CREAM, PICKLES AND MACARONI, OH MY!
June 28, 2025 10:00 am – noon
Jack Jouett House Historic Site Visitor Center and Historic Buildings
255 Craig’s Creek Road, Versailles, KY
Admission: Free
While Ambassador to France, Thomas Jefferson discovered two new favorite foods: ice cream and macaroni. Upon his return home, he often served these dishes, even in the White House! Join us as we make these treats from scratch. You will also visit the Jack Jouett House and Stone Cabin to see how food was prepared in frontier Kentucky.
THE MUSIC OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
July 26, 2025 Saturday 10:00 am – noon
Jack Jouett House Historic Site Grounds
255 Craig’s Creek Road, Versailles, KY
Admission: Free
As we look forward to the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War next year, enjoy a presentation by the Kentucky Sons of the Revolution Fife and Drum Corps on patriotic music and military tunes contributing to American Independence, including an account of the fifers and drummers who played the music. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy free ice cream as you listen.
MATTHEW HARRIS JOUETT DAY—AN AMERICAN STORY: THE REDD FAMILY PORTRAITS
August 23, 2025 Saturday 2:00 pm
Jack Jouett House Historic Site Visitor Center
255 Craig’s Creek Road, Versailles, KY
Admission: Free
Our annual tribute to this other famous resident of the Jack Jouett House will
include a talk by Early Kentucky arts collector and independent scholar Mack Cox on the work of artist Matthew Harris Jouett. Afterward take a special tour of the Jouett House with Steven Ray Menefee to view reproduction Jouett portraits of family members as well as the original MHJ portrait on loan to our site for this season only.
DIGGING FOR AMBER GOLD: BOURBON ARCHAEOLOGY
September 20, 2025 Saturday 2:00 pm
Three Seasons Building in the District
105 Rose Hill Ave, Versailles, KY
Admission: Free
In recognition of Bourbon Heritage Month and Kentucky Archaeology Month, meet Bourbon Archaeologist and Lead Archivist for the Sazerac Company, Nicholas Laracuente, who will speak on archaeology, the Jack Jouett Archaeology Project, Bourbon Pompeii, and his work in the Sazerac archives and in Ireland.
THE FIRST KENTUCKIANS: NATIVE AMERICAN LIFE IN THE FRONTIER ERA
October 11, 2025 Saturday 2:00 pm
Jack Jouett House Historic Site Visitor Center
255 Craig’s Creek Road, Versailles, KY
Admission: Free
Explore the world encountered by settlers like Jack Jouett. Tressa Brown, the African American and Native American Heritage Coordinator for the Kentucky Heritage Council, will describe Native American life during Kentucky’s pioneer period.
DRY STONE FENCES AND CEMETERY TALK
October 25, 2025 Saturday 10:00 am – Noon
Jack Jouett House Historic Site Visitor Center
255 Craig’s Creek Road, Versailles, KY
Admission: Free
Learn about the centuries old skill and history of dry fence building. Expert dry stone fence builder Keenan Bishop will demonstrate the restoration techniques used at the Morris Cemetery at the Jack Jouett House Historic Site. This event will include a presentation on mourning traditions and funeral customs of the early 1800’s.
SEAson Ends
October 31, 2025 Friday
Jack Jouett House Historic Site
255 Craig’s Creek Road, Versailles, KY
Our regular tour season ends after October, but tours by appointment are available November-March. Call the Jack Jouett House Historic Site to schedule a visit!