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CONTACT US Danville-Boyle County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) 105 E. Walnut Street, Danville, KY 40422 info@danvillekentucky.com Tel: (800) 755-0076 or (859) 236-7794 |
Back to Attractions 1 2 3 Next History and Museums Constitution Square State Historic Site 134 South Second Street 859.239.7089 www.parks.ky.gov/statehistoricsites/cs/index.htm brenda.willoughby@ky.gov  Constitution Square State Historic Site was the birthplace of Kentucky�s statehood. In 1776, Kentucky was still a frontier and a county of Virginia. The Wilderness Road, blazed by Daniel Boone, led pioneers through the Cumberland Gap and into Central Kentucky. Danville�s prominent location on the Wilderness Road caused it to become a crossroad for early settlers, and a center of political activity. By 1785, Danville was chosen as Kentucky�s first seat of government, and a meetinghouse, courthouse and jail were built to administer the growing territory. Still bound to Virginia laws, though, several Danville citizens formed the political club that recognized the need for a convention to discuss statehood. Between 1784-1792, ten constitutional conventions took place at the courthouse of Constitution Square. In 1790, Kentucky delegates accepted Virginia�s terms for separation from the state. On June 1, 1792, Kentucky became the fifteenth state in the union, and Isaac Shelby, a Revolutionary War hero, was named the first Governor of the Commonwealth. The park hosts many special events throughout the year, such as the Historic Constitution Square Festival on the third weekend in September and Christmas Remembered in December. It is open year-round, and there is no admission charged for self-guided tours. Guided tours are available for a fee and by appointment only. The Governor�s Circle A bronze statue depicting the state seal is the centerpiece in a circle of plaques dedicated to each Kentucky governor. The state insignia depicts two friends embracing, representing the motto "United We Stand, Divided We Fall." Jail One of the first directives of the Kentucky Supreme Court was the construction of a jail. Like the replica at the site today, the original jail was a formidable stockade, constructed with 9-inch thick logs. Post Office This original building, built pre-1792, served as the first post office west of the Allegheny Mountains. The first mail was delivered on November 3, 1792. Watts-Bell House This house, circa 1816-1817, was built by William Watts for leading Danville merchant David Bell. Like the Fisher�s Row houses adjacent to it, the Watts-Bell house is constructed of brick in the Flemish bond pattern. The building now houses the Danville/Boyle County Historical Society. Museum admission charge. Alban Goldsmith House This circa 1820 brick house was the residence of Dr. Alban Goldsmith. Dr. Goldsmith was a pupil and assistant to Dr. Ephraim McDowell, whose home is located opposite Constitution Square on Second Street. Goldsmith assisted Dr. McDowell when he performed the first successful ovariotomy on Jane Todd Crawford in 1809, pioneering abdominal surgery. This building houses Constitution Square�s Museum Store, with Kentucky handcrafts, souvenirs and educational/genealogical books and items. The Constitution Square Courthouse The original log courthouse, completed in 1785, housed the Supreme Court of the District of Kentucky and the constitutional conventions which led to statehood. A replica of the original courthouse stands on this site today. Meetinghouse A meetinghouse was erected in 1784 under the direction of the Reverend David Rice. It housed the Concorde Presbyterian Congregation of the first Presbyterians in Kentucky. A replica of this building stands on this site today. Fisher�s Row The two, two-story brick houses are joined by a common wall. These row houses were built in 1817 by Jeremiah Fisher for use as rental property. The building is now the home of the Wilderness Trace Art League and the Boyle County Historical Society Museum. Schoolhouse The first brick schoolhouse west of the Alleghenies, circa 1820, now serves as a private residence. Closed to the public. Grayson�s Tavern This original tavern was built in 1785 by Benjamin Grayson. The tavern was often the meeting place for the Political Club and the scene of many heated debates about issues concerning statehood. Isaac Shelby Cemetery State Historic Site Isaac Shelby (1750-1826), Kentucky�s first and fifth governor, acquired land south of Danville as payment for a surveying job. He achieved fame for his service in the Revolutionary War and War of 1812, and he remained active in national political affairs until his death at the age of 76. He is buried at his estate, "Traveler�s Rest." The cemetery is on Knob Lick Pike, 5.5 miles south of Danville on US 127.  Genealogy Information, Convention and Visitors Bureau 105 E. Walnut Street 859-236-7794 http://www.bcga2.org tourbc@bellsouth.net Boyle County, Kentucky, was formed in 1842 from the southern portion of Mercer County. Mercer County had been formed in 1786 from a part of Lincoln County. Lincoln County was one of the three original Kentucky counties formed from Kentucky County, Virginia, in 1780. The main migration route to Lincoln County was through the Cumberland Gap from Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee.We recommend that you confirm all hours of operation for the offices listed below. Also, obtaining permission from land owners before visiting cemeteries on private property is advisable. Please close gates that you have used on the property. Boyle County Area (County Seat: Danville)
Lincoln County Area (County Seat: Stanford)
Mercer County Area (County Seat: Harrodsburg) Mercer County Clerk�s OfficeLocation: 235 Main St. (Annex across from Courthouse); Harrodsburg, KYPhone: 859-734-6310Hours of Operation: Mon � Fri 8-4:30 pm; Closed SatOther Information: Copies: 10� self help; 50� otherMercer County Public LibraryLocation: 109 W. Lexington St; Harrodsburg, KY 40330Phone: 859-734-3680Hours of Operation: Mon-Thurs 9 �7:30 pm; Fri �Sat 9-5 pm; Sun 1-5 pm Other Information: Copies 10�, 15� double-sided, Computer printouts 20�; Computers with Internet availableHarrodsburg/Mercer County �Research Library Harrodsburg Historical SocietyLocation: 220 S. Chiles Street; Harrodsburg, KY 40330Phone: 859-734-5985Hours of Operation: Tues 10-4pm; Wed-Sat 1-4pm; Closed Sun � Mon, all holidaysOther Information: Small fee charged to non-members; (need to call about winter hours) Casey County Area (County Seat: Liberty) Casey County Public LibraryLocation: 238 Middleburg Street; Liberty, KYPhone: 606-787-9381Hours of Operation: Mon � Wed, Fri 10 � 6 pm; Sat 9 � 3 pm; Closed Thurs, Sunday. Other Information: Copies 15�The Boyle County Genealogical Association meets every third Tuesday of the month at the Kentucky Utilities Community Room at 7:00 p.m., unless otherwise announced in the local newspaper. Anyone interested in genealogy and history is welcome to come. Historic Merchants' Row Buell Street Perryville, Kentucky 859.332.1862 www.perryville.net ckolakowski@perryville.net Perryville's historic Merchants� Row is a series of original 1800s buildings with restaurant, gift shops, and museums in historic downtown Perryville. Fabric art depicting Perryville just before the Civil War battle began is displayed in the Community Center. Picture it. Perryville, Kentucky�1862. A bustling strip of mercantile buildings�general stores, a post office, drug store and doctor�s office; parents and children crossing the street; farmers loading wagons with supplies; the picture of a healthy, yet vibrant agrarian community. Substitute the wagons for cars and pave the roads. The picture of Perryville, Kentucky�2002�is not much different. The same quaint, wooden buildings continue to house a variety of consumer shops. The noise of children playing can still be heard along the Chaplin River, and the sight of local residents bustling along the street is still an everyday image. Merchants� Row has long been a cornerstone of life in Perryville. Indeed, many of these buildings played a significant role in the aftermath of the Battle of Perryville. The unique blend of civilian and military stories found in this town makes Perryville�s history standout nationally. In addition, Merchants� Row is one of the only, intact 19th-century mercantile districts in the nation. Historic Walking and Driving Tour Danville�Boyle County 859.236.7794 www.danvillekentucky.com tourbc@bellsouth.net Come explore our history, our charming old homes, our Bluegrass back roads, our parks and our friendly people on the historic walking and driving tour. 1 2 3 Next Back to Attractions  |
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