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Top History museums in Lexington, United States
Top Rated History museums in Lexington
Top Reviewed History museums in Lexington
Mary Todd Lincoln House
International Museum of the Horse
Lexington County Museum
Waveland State Historic Site
Reviews
Bring 5.00 cash or chk , no credit cards. Lots to see and plenty of pictures to take.
The Tuesday Tea was lovely, and the tour was very well presented. Thank you. My sister had a lovely birthday.
Beautiful home! Our guide Ethan was great and our sweet lady on the outside portion was so knowledgeable. No photos on the inside of the home!
This was a great visit. For $5 I got a very informative and interesting tour of the area. The guide was a great way to see the site.
Beautiful gardens and gorgeous old structures,the museum was closed but still a beautiful place to visit, will definitely come back to see inside
Great place to visit for ANY horse lover! So much to see so many breeds!!
We absolutely enjoyed our time at the park and museums. Will definitely be back to enjoy the entire shows.
My husband, 12 year old son and myself stopped here today because we had to make a random trip to Lexington. Quick google search of things to do brought us here. You honestly can’t beat the tour for $5/person and $2/child. Kristen was our guide and the amount of information she gave us in regards to all the buildings, items inside and the people involved was truly incredible. The buildings are beautiful and I think it’s so great they are doing what they can to save them but also still use them. Definitely recommend visiting and paying for the tour.
Impressively comprehensive and much better than I expected. The museum has lots of high quality exhibits on all sorts of horsey subjects from history to sport to literature.
I am not a big horse fan myself, but still had a good time and learned a few things. It’s definitely worth a few hours if you are visiting Lexington. It’s bigger than you would think and even the casual visitor could make a half a day out of the museum and surrounding park.
I am not a big horse fan myself, but still had a good time and learned a few things. It’s definitely worth a few hours if you are visiting Lexington. It’s bigger than you would think and even the casual visitor could make a half a day out of the museum and surrounding park.
Coming from out of town, I was only vaguely aware of the importance of horses to Kentucky and Lexington in general, but learned quite a bit about equines and their history.
The negative I think of this is there is A LOT of reading in the museums, to the point where it becomes very hard to pay attention and retain everything.
The negative I think of this is there is A LOT of reading in the museums, to the point where it becomes very hard to pay attention and retain everything.
Had a phenomenal trip at Lexington County Museum. The guides were phenomenal with the students and very informative and engaging. I'd love to come back to visit again soon!
This was a fascinating tour through the history of horses. Even my non horse friends loved it. The best part was seeing Lexington's skeleton. What a story! Read Horse by Geraldine Brooks. A great novel and then getting to see the horse. ..!!!
Easy to go by because I was expecting a small house. Mary's father bought a tavern in a foreclosure sale, and it has five bedrooms.
Well, it was preserved with many original artifacts from the Todd family.
First home preserved to honor a First Lady in the US.
Well, it was preserved with many original artifacts from the Todd family.
First home preserved to honor a First Lady in the US.
Learned something new today about Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln. Great little piece of history to discover here. Kind of over kill on the attention given to slave labor though. I think we all know by now it was a part of our dirty past. Sad, but a fact of life then.
The International Horse Museum at the Kentucky Horse Park is a treasure trove for equine enthusiasts and history buffs alike. It offers a captivating journey through the rich and storied history of horses and their significant roles in various cultures and civilizations. The exhibits are thoughtfully curated, showcasing art, artifacts, and information that highlight the enduring bond between humans and horses.
The museum provides a comprehensive look at the evolution of equestrian sports, horse breeds, and the impact of horses on transportation, agriculture, and warfare. It's an educational and visually stunning experience that deepens one's appreciation for these magnificent creatures. The International Horse Museum is a must-visit, offering a blend of history, art, and the sheer beauty of horses that's both informative and inspiring.
The museum provides a comprehensive look at the evolution of equestrian sports, horse breeds, and the impact of horses on transportation, agriculture, and warfare. It's an educational and visually stunning experience that deepens one's appreciation for these magnificent creatures. The International Horse Museum is a must-visit, offering a blend of history, art, and the sheer beauty of horses that's both informative and inspiring.
We stopped in and lucked out to be just in time for a tour with a guide named John. He was a treasure. So much information and amazing collections from furniture to pottery and art, and so many stories! We want to go back and see more, it's definitely worth it!
The museum had an amazing amount of history. It was fun to meet the horses. Even if you don't like horses, it was a great place to visit. Worth every penny.
Overall a fun experience if you like history. Learned about the Todd family and their connection to the area. Authentic period artifacts. Given it’s small size, I feel the entry fee is a bit high.
History unfolds before you...very surreal. Staff knowledgeable, friendly and nice! Worth the visit.
interesting to see this. alot of information about different things from the era included in the tour. gift shop in the back in case you want a souvenir.
This is the house Mary Todd lived in as a teenager. They have done a nice job of trying to recreate the space she lived in. While it is a self guided tour there was a docent on both floors to answer questions. Very pleasant stop while traveling.
We spent an hour here on a self-guided tour, exploring the rooms and reading the information provided. This was an important place for me to visit, as I have been fascinated by Mary Todd Lincoln since I was little.
I found the information on her formative years interesting, as well as the more current view of the contribution that enslaved Americans made during that time period.
I realize that it was her childhood home, but wish there had been more information about her later years, which are so interesting.
The staff were kind and happy to answer any questions.
I found the information on her formative years interesting, as well as the more current view of the contribution that enslaved Americans made during that time period.
I realize that it was her childhood home, but wish there had been more information about her later years, which are so interesting.
The staff were kind and happy to answer any questions.
Be sure to plan at least 2 hours just for this place. The museum covers every inch of history and information on horses and their impact on our cultures and civilizations. Very informative and entertaining. My favorite part was the trophy cases area, so Shiney.
Historic site by Daniel Boone's relatives. Tour inside was not available at my hour of visit but grounds are open from dusk to dark. Playground, gardens, and some unique buildings. Fitting tribute to the enslaved people who helped build and run that place.
Nice visit to the Mary Todd Lincoln House. Good historical facts and artifacts about and from the time period. Place was restored starting in 1976 and has the intent of the time when the Todd family lived there. Gardens outside with bathrooms. It's self guided but has experts onsite to answer questions. Two floors of fun. I appreciate the factual tributes and mention of the enslaved persons' contributions throughout the home. It was 1800s Kentucky....
My boyfriend has lived in Lexington for three years now and we had no idea this place existed on the outskirts of town. Worth it to take the tour and then make sure you leave time to walk around the gardens in the back. If anyone is into geocaching, there’s a couple fun ones on site.
I have lived in lexington for over 20 years and yet I had never been here before. What a waste of 20 years, this place is awesome! We came after it was closed so only enjoyed the playground and surrounding area but it is SO beautiful. The trail leads right up to the railroad tracks and we got to watch a train go by super close so my son was overjoyed. Beautiful gardens, a cool little swampy pond, historic objects an building's. So much space, I could imagine they host many weddings and events. Cannot wait to come here again!
Absolutely enjoyed our experience! My 11 yr old son and I visited in the middle of the weekday so it wasn't very busy. We were greeted as we exited our car and asked if we'd be interested in a tour. Absolutely!!! And our tour did not disappoint!!! The price was very reasonable. Loved that they kept a visitor guide and even wrote us an old style receipt. Our guide (who had been working there for over 17 years) was extremely informative and really knew the history!! We were treated as if we were a large paying group. We were able to go in multiple different buildings and were provided history in each! Time periods dating from 1700's, 1800's and on. We were so impressed, I had to leave a review! My son even got into so much, he asked so many questions, and had received honest answers for each. We will definitely visit again and I'll be sure to bring the rest of my family!
Well done!!!! Very well done!
I attached some photos for you to enjoy, our guide was even photogenic!
Thanks again for an awesome experience!!!
Well done!!!! Very well done!
I attached some photos for you to enjoy, our guide was even photogenic!
Thanks again for an awesome experience!!!
This was a great experience, especially for the price - only $5 (cash or check only, no cards.) The Fox house was the original house at this location, and they've moved several other buildings to this location for a great overview of early Lexington County history and people. I may not have seen it at its best - with reenactors in costume, and some of the buildings were closed for renovations, including the Fox House itself, which was disappointing. But for $5, I can try to come back later.
You start the tour across the street from the Fox house with some of the earliest cabins from the area, including a one-room schoolhouse. And they're all set up as if the people just left and will be back soon, so that's pretty cool. Then behind the Fox House, there is a garden, several smaller outbuildings, a pretty pigeon house, barns, another cabin, and a sad little barn/hut that was for "slave quarantine" - it's pretty sad, but I'm glad they talk about it. There's also an outdoor classroom back there, and they usually host several school groups, so as things return to normal, it may be a lot more crowded than on my visit.
You start the tour across the street from the Fox house with some of the earliest cabins from the area, including a one-room schoolhouse. And they're all set up as if the people just left and will be back soon, so that's pretty cool. Then behind the Fox House, there is a garden, several smaller outbuildings, a pretty pigeon house, barns, another cabin, and a sad little barn/hut that was for "slave quarantine" - it's pretty sad, but I'm glad they talk about it. There's also an outdoor classroom back there, and they usually host several school groups, so as things return to normal, it may be a lot more crowded than on my visit.
A hidden gem, must see! Kathy, our guide was amazing. She has been working here for 15 years, and is so knowledgeable. We were the only two people for a 10:00 tour, and found her information so thorough and engaging, that our tour went for an hour and a half. The Mansion interior is gorgeous. And unlike many tours, where the furnishings and items are behind a roped off area, here one is able to walk right up nose to nose with all of the furnishings and relics to really get a great view of them and tremendous pictures too. Kathy was also very gracious in posing for many pictures in her beautiful purple period costume. The collection included several items which I had never seen before, for instance: a sewing bird ( combo pin cushion, thread snipper, and fabric clamp ), candle wick cutter, outdoor crank water pump, and an incredible collection of plastic fake foods in the kitchen and dining room.
Highly recommend Lexington County Museum! Beautiful buildings and grounds that have been well maintained. There is so much history here that you will need a few hours to explore. A big shout out to Stanley for his knowledge of the grounds and a pleasure to speak with. Looking forward to returning!
Today and until end of April the house is not open but the outside of the house and grounds are open and very historical. Sometime after the house opens back up I would love a tour inside. Their garden with the surround entry has viburnum in bloom and it smells wonderful. The daffodils are also in bloom and pretty. I loved viewing their old farming equipment.