The Gardens of Liberty Hall

Liberty Hall Historic Site's grounds include an extensive boxwood and perennial garden that is located between the houses and the banks of the Kentucky River. Rather than being a reproduction of the original garden at Liberty Hall, today's garden reflects the garden as it evolved through four generations of Brown ownership. Today, the Liberty Hall Historic Site exhibits historic as well as modern plants while honoring the spirit and structural context recorded in the garden plans and documents of the Brown family.

From the beginning, flowers were an important part of the garden. Traveling as a young bride from her home in New York, Senator Brown's wife Margaretta brought with her a Polish rose. In addition, many other varieties of pillar and climbing roses, as well as perennials, decorated the garden. References to the first garden in letters between Senator Brown and Margaretta in 1802 reveal its utilitarian nature (vegetables, herbs, and fruit trees), and Margaretta's desire to protect it with a fence. Her evident pleasure in the success of the garden, particularly in the orchard where she held Sunday School classes.

When the original four acre lot was divided in half between John and Margaretta's sons, Mason and Orlando, the garden began to acquire its present form.

A sketch made by Mary Mason Scott, of the fourth and last generation of Senator and Mrs. Brown's descendants to live at Liberty Hall, illustrates a more ornamental garden with expanded varieties of trees, shrubs, and flowers.

Liberty Hall Historic Site welcomes the public to visit the grounds and experience them as a place to relax and reflect.  For individuals or small groups (9 people or fewer) you can enjoy the gardens without reservation, but must be aware that other event may be occurring.  Please respect the grounds, the houses, and the work of the gardeners on duty. Please remember to take nothing and leave nothing; do not pick the flowers and take your trash with you when you go.

For groups of 10 people or more, please contact the Executive Director by email or by phone, 502-227-2560, to discuss garden rental options.  You can also visit our Site Rental page.