About two weeks ago I took a busman's holiday to Chillicothe OH. I am working on period landscaping for the Johnston Farm house at the Piqua Historical Area and the boss wanted me to work 'in house' with the gardeners at Adena. I had been to Adena before as a tourist and greatly enjoyed the site and talking to everyone who works there. This time I spent less time looking and more time connecting. The interpreters were great (Hello, Jennifer and Angie - hope I got that right!), and the gardener I spoke with was very willing to help. (Hi, Ed!) We plotted and planned a bit and talked a lot. In the end we decided that getting together every once in a while would be a good thing.
But more about that later....
Here's the blurb about the site from the Ohio Historical Society website:
Adena was the 2000-acre estate of Thomas Worthington (1773-1827), sixth governor of Ohio and one of the state's first United States Senators. The mansion house, completed in 1806-1807, has been restored to look much as it did when the Worthington family lived there, including many original Worthington family furnishings. The house is one of only three houses designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe still standing in the U.S. Latrobe is considered the first professional American architect and served as architect of the US capitol under President Thomas Jefferson.
Situated on the 300 remaining acres of the original homeplace are five outbuildings and formal gardens. The gardens have undergone major renovation. Visitors may stroll through three terraces of flowers and vegetables, as well as the shrubs and trees in the Grove. Looking east from the north lawn of the mansion, one can see across the Scioto River Valley to the Logan Range. This view is depicted on the Great Seal of the State of Ohio.
A new Museum and Education Center features interactive exhibits that use the stories of people connected to Adena to give visitors a picture of life in Ohio in the early 1800s as well as classrooms, meeting and rental space.
It's worth a visit. Really. The house is spectacular and the interpreters well-informed. The museum has great displays on the Worthingtons as well as ones on pioneer life. There's plenty for kids and adults.
Take my word for it.
2 comments:
Marla, would you be up for a 2nd road trip so I can get decorating ideas for my 1817 house in Kentucky? :)
You bet. The tour was really great and Kevin told me he could get me INSIDE some of the houses next time if I gave him enough notice. It's a date!
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