Community Day 2018

Umbrellas and tents lined the grounds. However, the people came and enjoyed the living history.

Community Day 2018

September 22, 2018

Rain failed to dampen the enthusiasm of those attending the 10th Annual Holt Home Community Day.

Despite an all day drizzle, hundreds of visitors turned out Sept. 22 to tour the home and grounds of the Judge Joseph Holt estate.

President Abraham Lincoln, portrayed by Larry Elliott, and Gen. and Mrs. U.S. Grant, portrayed by Curt and Lena Fields, greeted those in attendance. With umbrellas in hand, the crowd purchased Susan Dyer’s new book, The Joseph Holt Mansion: Saving & Restoring the Home of Lincoln’s Judge Advocate General, as a lasting remembrance of the Holt Home project.

Preservationist Stephen Collins, one of the key speakers, focused on the value and historical significance of the home and how it will bring economic development to the community, region and state. And, Col. Andras M. Marton, representing the Pentagon’s Judge Advocate General Office, stressed Judge Holt’s national importance and legacy to the nation and U.S. Army.

Col. Marton also led the wreath-laying ceremony at the cemetery’s Holt Monument as the Breckinridge County High School Band played taps.

The school band, the Guilderoy Byrne Band, Kentucky Home Guard Band, and the Breckinridge County Chamber Singers provided musical entertainment. The Berea Festival Dancers performed period dances, cannon firing was provided throughout the day and the rain failed to halt a period baseball game. The Ninth Michigan Volunteer Infantry provided an authentic military appearance.

Modern Woodman provided a $2,500 matching grant to assist the Holt project and a new National Register plaque and additional cemetery plaques were unveiled. Charlie Corbett of the Friends of the Holt Home spoke about research concerning Judge Holt’s brothers and sister who are not buried in the family plot. Corbett also discussed anticipated work on the next phase of the mansion restoration.

Ed Ford, developed the idea of the vintage baseball game, suggested getting the Berea Festival Dancers and has assisted the Friends with numerous ideas for the Holt Home Community Day events, speaking with Miss Jaydyn Dyer.

Judge Kelly Easton, Master of Ceremonies portraying Judge Joseph Holt who donated the very nice podium for events at the historic Holt Home.

Berea Festival Dancers bringing dancing back to the Holt Home.

Opening Ceremonies to begin the 10th Annual Celebration!

Boy Scout Troop and Club Scout Pack #95.

Beautiful period selections sung by the Breckinridge County Chamber Singers entertained the crowd.

Chamber singers performing.

Phil Jennings directing the Breckinridge County Chamber Singers. (The Friends of the Holt Home appreciate your partnership!)

Field Desk of General Ulysses S. Grant with Mrs. Grant by his side. Portrayed by Curt Fields and Lena Fields.

The 14th Light Artillery recently purchased a large Civil War cannon and Judge Maurice Lucas is at work firing!

Gordon Brandenburg explains and demonstrated the Civil War era cannon (a crowd favorite!)

General Ulysses S. Grant & Mrs. Grant posing with young fans.

The Ninth Michigan Volunteer Infantry greets visitors at the Civil War campsite.

A Berea Festival dancer taking in the day’s festivities.

Paul Joseph O’Donoghue and Alison Mattingly singing songs from Judge Holt’s era in the parlor.

Firing with precision in the Ninth Michigan Infantry.

A reenactor loading his firearm.

A member of the Ninth Michigan Infantry at arms.

Firing of period guns occurred throughout the event.

11:00 a.m. Program Speakers Judge Kelly Easton, Master of Ceremonies, Key Speaker, COL Andras M. Marton, Representing the Office of the Judge Advocate General from the Pentagon, Susan B. Dyer, President of the Friends of the Holt Home, Inc. Breckinridge County Judge Executive Maurice Lucas, Key Speaker, Stephen L. Collins, Preservationist & Chairman of the Kentucky Heritage Council, and Nicole Konkol, Archaeology Transportation Review Coordinator KY Heritage Council.

Umbrellas and tents lined the grounds. However, the people came and enjoyed the living history.

The Breckinridge County Concert Band directed by Ricky Dudgeon.

Powerful patriotic music put the crowd in a spirited mood!

Listening to the National Anthem being played.

Breckinridge County Judge Executive, Maurice Lucas.

Susan Dyer, recognizing individuals and families whom have donated beautiful pieces of furniture from the 1860’s to the historic Holt Home.

Nicole Konkol, KY Heritage Council reviewing archaeology work recently completed on the Holt grounds in 2018.

Charlie Corbett, one of the directors, gave updates on the Holt family plaques and summarized the restoration work for the next phase on the Holt Home project.

Stephen L. Collins spoke on what advantages the historic Holt Home will bring Breckinridge County with economic development and tourism.

COL Andras M. Marton, representing the Office of the Judge Advocate General, who is the Strategic Planner for General Pede, The Judge Advocate General of the United States Army, spoke about the importance of Brigadier General Joseph Holt and how his legacy is respected by the U.S. Army JAGS of today.

COL Andras M. Marton embracing Friends President Susan B. Dyer.

Neil Tindell, retired Guidance Counselor from Cloverport Independent Schools, made a surprise announcement by presenting the gift of the newly discovered Joseph Holt Bible (in French) signed by Joseph Holt and found in the Cloverport United Methodist Church. It will be on permanent loan to the Holt Home once restoration is completed.

Tindell showing Holt’s signature, and explaining how the signature was researched along with learning Joseph Holt was fluent in French.

Neil Tindell showing the wonderful Bible of Holt to the crowd.

The Ninth Michigan Volunteer Infantry leading the crowd to the Holt Family Cemetery.

Vestal Rogers leads the Ninth with the stars and stripes to honor Judge Joseph Holt and Holt’s legacy - the reason for the celebration.

General Grant portrayed by Curt Fields from Tennessee awaits COL Andras M. Marton with preparing the laying of the wreath at Holt’s monument.

President Abraham Lincoln, portrayed by Larry Elliott, COL Andras M. Marton, representing The Judge Advocate General from the Pentagon, and General Ulysses S. Grant, portrayed by Curt Fields giving honor to Breckinridge County’s most famous son, Joseph Holt.

Honoring Holt's legacy by laying a wreath on his monument.

Salutes given to Brigadier General Joseph Holt by Lincoln, Grant, and the Colonel.

Honor given as the crowd surrounds the Holt Family Cemetery (inside and out) for the presidential wreath-laying ceremony.

Paying respect in a quiet appropriate manner to Joseph Holt, who served our great nation and numerous presidents in very distinguished positions!

Civil War Baseball Team for Holt!

Playing America’s pastime in the rain takes a very distinguished group of young men!

And the game begins!

Hit after hit!

Holt Field is a favorite place to gather on the Holt Home Community Day.

KY Home Guard Band played strong patriotic tunes that could be heard across the grounds.

The band continues to play.

Guilderoy Byrne Band provided the beautiful tunes for the dancers!

Taking time for a picture with history of how the Holt Project began.

Authentic costumes brought the dance to life.

Period dancing was enjoyed by high school students making up the Berea Festival Dancers.

Visitors enjoyed watching the period Civil War dancers.

What fun, as the music and dancing resumed once again inside the Holt Mansion.

Past Events

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Upcoming Events

The Joseph Holt Home hosts events each year, with many open to the public. To see a full list of upcoming events including Community Day, click the button below!

CALENDAR

CONTACT

Judge Holt Home on Facebook

info@josephholthome.com

ADDRESS

6205 Highway 144
Hardinsburg, KY 40143

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