Monroe Homeplace

Monroe Homeplace. . , The Monroe Homeplace has been called the most musical home in America. It is not only the birthplace of three famous musicians it is also the birthplace of the American musical form known today as Bluegrass., After farm chores were done, the home was a magnet that drew local traditional musicians including Bill's legendary Uncle Pen., In the summer the music and dancing took place on the porch or in the yard. In the cooler months furniture was moved outside and square dances were held in the home., There has been so much music played in the home that the fibers of the wood actually changed in response to the vibrations., The end result is that the home has become a musical instrument itself., It is believed that this is the original home site of the first Monroes who arrived here from Virginia in 1832. Bill was born in a log cabin on this site in 1911.The log cabin was destroyed by fire when he was five years old. This framed house was built on the same spot around the original sandstone chimney., The Monroe homeplace was restored by the Bill Monroe Foundation in 2001., “Back in the days of my childhood , In the evening when everything was still , I used to sit and listen to the foxhounds , With my dad in the old Kentucky hills.”, “Soon my childhood days were over , I had to leave my old home; , For Dad and Mother were called to Heaven , I was left in this world alone.”, “High in the hills of Old Kentucky , stands the fondest spot in my memory. , I'm on my way back to the old home, , The light in the window I long to see”, “I'm on my way back to the Old Home , The road winds up the hill , But there's no light in the window , That shined long ago where I lived.”, “On My Way Back to the Old Home” by Bill Monroe.