Historic homes, Civil War settlements and the Daniel Boone frontier – in Richmond, Kentucky, history comes to live at every corner. Check out this guide for museums, cultural sites & more!
Richmond Tourism & Visitor Center
Looking for things to do in Richmond? Your first stop should be the Visitor Center! Located in the historic Clay Cloyd Salter House (built in 1926 and modeled after a home in Switzerland), the visitor center is stocked with local literature and information about the area’s attractions! The staff is always willing to offer local tips, insights and recommendations. Grab a map, plan an itinerary, or grab a t-shirt or postcard to take with you!
The Battle of Richmond Visitor Center
Civil War history comes to life at the Battle of Richmond Visitors Center. Located at the site of the second-largest Civil War battle in Kentucky, this small museum features exhibits and videos highlighting this historic event. Take a self-guided tour of the museum (it’s actually a historic home built in 1811) and see military artifacts like Jefferson Davis’s pistol and an old infantry tactics guide. Or, head outside and explore the grounds where informational plaques provide additional insight.
Fort Boonesborough State Park
Journey to the past and experience life on the frontier at Fort Boonesborough State Park. A reconstruction of the settlement Daniel Boone established in 1775, this working fort offers visitors a peek into the lives of early Kentucky settlers. Explore log cabins and blockhouses – all furnished with period items, such as beds, cooking tools and clothing. Watch craft demonstrations by costumed artisans. At the on-site Kentucky River Museum, learn about folks who worked the locks and dams.
Millstone Park
This park is a tribute to Madison County’s rich milling history. Established in 2019 in downtown Richmond, this park features authentic millstones from the county’s nearby mill houses. Once used to transform local crops into sellable products, these millstones now stand proudly throughout the park, surrounded by manicured flower beds. Check out the colorful mural highlighting the J.W. Zaring Grain & Mill Co. and snap some photos of these unique tools.
Squire Boone Rock
Make a pit stop at Richmond’s City Hall and check out Squire Boone Rock—a massive slab of limestone that Squire Boone (Daniel Boone’s brother) carved his name into in 1770. Used to communicate with his brother that he’d returned from Virginia, this rock was found and dug up at a nearby farm in the late 1800s. It’s a neat little slice (or should we say slab?) of Richmond history.
White Hall State Historic Site
Explore an expansive 44-room mansion at the White Hall Historic Site. Built in 1798, this historic site was the former home of notable politicians and writers (like Cassius Clay). Marvel at the Georgian and Italianate-style architecture, from the striking red brick to elongated windows and regal white pillars. Inside, you can explore the many rooms of the house, all furnished with original décor and photographs. You can even see General Green Clay’s sword on display!
Irvinton House Museum
If you’re a history buff, a visit to the Irvinton House Museum in Richmond is a must. This museum, housed in a blue Federal-style home from the 1800s, details the vibrant history of the county (thanks to Eastern Kentucky University’s J.T. Dorris Collection). Take a self-guided tour and see exhibits highlighting the region’s milling pass. Learn about the Irvine family (they helped found Kentucky as a state) and see a Revolutionary War uniform on display—one of only seven remaining.
Richmond Cemetery
Established in 1856, this historic cemetery is not only the largest in the area but also the final resting place of Kentucky politicians Daniel Break and Cassius M. Clay. Wander through the rows of beautifully carved tombstones and mausoleums, pay your respects at the VFW Memorial and check out the graves of Civil War soldiers who died in Richmond.
