Department of Parks
Volunteers Invited to Tree Planting at White Hall Historic Site

RICHMOND, Ky. -- White Hall State Historic Site’s tree population has dwindled through the years due to disease, age and storms, but on Monday, April 13, 2009, volunteers and employees will be planting 50 to 70 native Kentucky trees to replace those lost.
 
The Kentucky Division of Forestry will supply the bur oak, shumard oak and persimmon trees for planting at White Hall, located near I-75 north of Richmond.  The planting will begin at 9 a.m.

For more information about volunteering for the tree planting, contact Kathleen White at 859-623-9178

White Hall is the home of Cassius Marcellus Clay: emancipationist, newspaper publisher, Minister to Russia, and friend to Abraham Lincoln. Clay’s daughter, Laura Clay, was politically active for women’s suffrage and states’ rights. In 1920, Laura Clay became the first woman to be nominated for U.S. President by a major political party.

The restored Italianate mansion was built in 1798 and remodeled in the 1860’s. The original home, Clermont, was a two-story Georgian brick structure. The new addition of White Hall was built in Italianate style and more than doubled the size of the house, adding such modern amenities as indoor plumbing and central heating.

Guided tours are given daily beginning April 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. After Labor Day thru Oct. 31, the home is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. From Nov. 1 through March 31, call for reservations.

The park is located at 500 White Hall Shrine Road near Richmond. For more information and directions, visit the Kentucky Parks Department Web site at www.parks.ky.gov.
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The Kentucky 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 Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov