White Hall Historic Site

This stately home was unusual for its time, because it had indoor plumbing and central heating.

This beautiful red brick, three-story home was built in 1799, and it was called the "Clermont" by owner General Green Clay in the Georgian style. When remodeled in 1860 by General Clay's son, Cassius Marcellus Clay described it as a house within a house because the remodel was built above and around the Clermont. The style then was Italianate and central heating and indoor plumbing were added. Cassius decided to rename the mansion "White Hall."

Cassius Marcellus Clay was a politician, emancipationist, newspaper publisher, planter, U.S. Minister to Russia, and he was friends with Abraham Lincoln. Clay was a founding member of the Republican Party in Kentucky. White Hall is beautifully furnished with many of the Clay family's original furniture and personal items. This State Historic Site sits on 14 acres in Richmond, Kentucky. Tours begin on the hour, and the guides wear period costumes. The grounds surrounding the home are spacious and beautiful. There is a gift shop, and you can use the picnic tables to soak in the beauty or bring a sack lunch with you. This is a neat site to visit, be sure to bring a camera with you to capture the beauty inside and around the White Hall.