Department of Parks
William Whitley House State Historic Site to Host Market Days

STANFORD, Ky. -- The William Whitley House State Historic Site will host “Sportsman’s Hill Market Days” on Friday and Saturday, July 27-28.

The two-day event will be held on the grounds of the historic home near Stanford from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day and feature local crafters and vendors.

In celebration of the bicentennial of the War of 1812, the park will be offering discounted tours of the home to highlight the role Kentuckians played in the War of 1812.  The famous long rifle and powder horn of William Whitley will be on special display during the event.

Vendors wishing to obtain booth space should contact the park at 606-355-2881.  Booth rental is $25.

The William Whitley House, also known as Sportsman's Hill, stands today as a monument to pioneer ingenuity and resourcefulness. It was the first brick home and circular racetrack built west of the Allegheny Mountains, completed in 1794 by William Whitley and his wife Esther. The house was a gathering spot for early Kentuckians, including George Rogers Clark and Daniel Boone.

The William Whitley House is about 10 miles south of Stanford off U.S. 150. Exit Interstate 75 at U.S. 150 or take U.S. 27 south from Lexington to U.S. 150 east. The park is open Wednesday through Sunday.

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The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 50 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our website at http://www.parks.ky.gov