Hopemont

John Wesley Hunt was the first millionaire west of the Alleghenies who owned this exquisite Federal Style mansion.

John Wesley Hunt pioneered the manufacturing of cotton bagging made for hemp. He made his fortune working with cotton and hemp. Ten years later, he started a new career. With all of his connections, great reputation, and years of knowledge of the market system, he began to ship hemp and other products to Philadelphia and New Orleans. When he was 40 years old, Hunt bought the lot that the Hunt-Morgan house stands on today for $3,000 and called it Hopemont. Another interesting fact is that John Wesley Hunt's great-grandson, Dr. Thomas Hunt Morgan, was born in the house in 1866 and became the first Kentuckian to win the Nobel Prize.

In 1955, The Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation was formed to stop the demolition of the property. Since then, they have restored and maintained the property. Hopemont is now open for tours and event rentals. The Kentucky Hemp Museum is upstairs, making the visit even more informative. Take the tour of a grand residence, learn about the families that once lived there, and then head upstairs to learn about their involvement in the hemp industry. Stop by the gift shop to see even more period furniture, décor, and notable architectural features such as the Palladian window. History buffs will love the tour and museum, but everyone will appreciate Hopemont's grandeur.