Kentucky Department of Parks

Old Fort Harrod State Park In 1774, James Harrod established the first permanent settlement west of the Alleghenies in what would become Central Kentucky.

kids with crafterPreserving Kentucky's pioneer history, the fort has been reconstructed near the site of the original. Heavy timbers form stockade walls and enclose the cabins and blockhouses. Interpreters in period-correct clothing perform pioneer tasks such as woodworking, weaving, broommaking, and blacksmithing and tend the farm animals and gardens.

Marriage templeThe Lincoln Marriage Temple shelters the original log cabin where Abraham Lincoln's parents were married in 1806, and the Mansion Museum houses Civil War artifacts, a gun display, Native American artifacts and a collection of Lincoln memorabilia.



Admission

Regular Rates

  • $3:00 for 6 to 12
  • $4.00 for 55 +
  • $5.00 for 13 to 55
  • Under six are admitted free

Group Rates

  • $3.00 for children
  • $4.00 for adults

Hours of Operation

  • Grounds: Closed for the holidays Decmeber 24 - January 3.  Otherwise, open all year.
  • Fort/Giftshop: April 1 to October 31 - Open daily 9am - 5pm
    November 1 'til April 15 - Open 9am to 4:30pm M–F and weekends in November and March
  • Meeting Facility: Available for rental April 1 to October 31.
  • Lincoln Marriage Temple: Open seasonally.
  • Mansion Museum: Open 9am - 5pm April 1 to October 31. Closed November to March.

Group Meeting Facilities

Old Fort Harrod’s James Harrod Conference Center is the perfect location for your meeting.  Click to view Meeting Facilities page .


Things To Do

Our gift shop is a hidden jewel in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. We are located just inside the Fort and are here to serve you. We offer a variety of Kentucky Proud products, Kentucky handcrafts, books, music, gift items, jewelry, pottery, souvenirs, children’s items, and many more unique items.

A picnic shelter with a beautiful view is available for rental from April 1 through October 31. The shelter contains restrooms. One end of the shelter has a beautiful rock fireplace. Tables and outdoor grills are available. The playground is located near the picnic shelter and contains many items of playground equipment.

Gift Card

Maps & Directions

              Interactive GIS Map
Visit our Maps page for facility maps and directions to the park.

Featured Event

Journey to Kentucky Play II
4/19/2010 to 5/21/2010

The Mercer County High School Department of Drama will perform the live play “Journey to Kentucky” in the James Harrod Conference Center. Teachers, students and visitors will love this interactive play about the first step towards western expansion. Audiences will go back in time and meet a fictional family who is taking the brave journey to Kentucky. Your students will be led on the ultimate adventure through the Cumberland Gap. Audiences will even get a glimpse into what everyday life was like in the late 1700’s. The kids will have a blast while getting involved in the account of the capture of the Boone and Calloway girls. Filtered throughout this 40 minute production will be song and dance from the early days on the frontier. After the production, the students will get a chance to ask the actors questions. The play begins at 10:00 a.m. sharp and is $7.00 per person.
Start Time: 10:00 A.M. End Time: 11:00 A.M.
Contact: DavidL.Coleman@ky.gov.

More Information

Contact Information

Old Fort Harrod State Park
100 South College Street
Harrodsburg, KY 40330-0156
859-734-3314
Park Manager: David Coleman