Bardstown in Nelson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Federal Hill

My Old Kentucky Home

Photographed by Don Morfe, October 7, 1994

1. Federal Hill Marker

Inscription.
Inspiration for the state song of Kentucky by Stephen Collins Foster in 1853. Judge John Rowan, cousin, owned and had built back wing in 1795 and the front in 1818. Federal Hill became renowned as a center of legal, political and social activity. In Senate Rowan led amending US judicial system and ending imprisonment for debt.

Erected by Kentucky Historical Society. (Marker Number 1102.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 37° 48.416′ N, 85° 27.347′ W. Marker is in Bardstown, Kentucky, in Nelson County. It can be reached from the intersection of East Stephen Foster Avenue (U.S. 150) and Guthrie Drive. The marker is located in the park, on the walkway from the visitor's center to the mansion. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 501 E Stephen Foster Avenue, Bardstown KY 40004, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Louisville Area.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mack Rowan (within shouting distance of this marker); Abolitionism, War, Emancipation (within shouting distance of this marker); The Enslaved as Property

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Slave Assignments & Trades (within shouting distance of this marker); Slave Population & Deaths (within shouting distance of this marker); My Old Kentucky Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Cistern (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 2015 Flag Dedication (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bardstown.

Also see . . .
1. My Old Kentucky Home State Park (official website). See the events happening there, buy tickets for tours of the house, or book events. (Submitted on October 15, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

2. My Old Kentucky Home State Park (Kentucky State Parks). (Submitted on October 15, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
3. Federal Hill (ExploreKYHistory.com). Additional information and photos (Submitted on October 15, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Federal Hill and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, April 10, 2021

2. Federal Hill and Marker

Federal Hill image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, October 7, 1994

3. Federal Hill

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, April 10, 2021

4. Federal Hill

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, April 10, 2021

5. Federal Hill

Horse and Buggy on park road image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, October 7, 1994

6. Horse and Buggy on park road

Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2017, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,046 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 7, 2017, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 2. submitted on April 19, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 3. submitted on January 7, 2017, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 4, 5. submitted on April 19, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 6. submitted on January 7, 2017, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.