Community Day 2019

Charlie Corbett, Friends’ Director, pulls pen from the cannon while Susan Dyer eagerly awaits her turn.
Charlie Corbett, Friends’ Director, pulls pen from the cannon while Susan Dyer eagerly awaits her turn.

Community Day 2019

September 26, 2019

The historic Holt Home is part of the portrait of America. The Friends of the Holt Home, Inc. work diligently each year to bring history back as MG Joseph Holt might have entertained. The yearly family event on the fourth Saturday of September has become a tradition as the doors are open to the people’s home! During the restoration the public has been invited year after year to be a part of the process.

Preservation is slow done the right way. As the next phase of restoration continues visitors who come on September 26, 2020 will see a remarkable change in Judge Holt’s home, the only home in America today that tells the complete story of the Lincoln Conspiracy Trial where Holt presided. As you view pictures from the September 26, 2019 event you can just imagine how the Holt’s lived, and learn of how Joseph Holt helped develop the Judge Advocate General Corps.

Much work has been done to gain and continue the partnering with the United States Army JAGS and other state partners. Support your local history where the Showplace of Breckinridge County is returning along with the home of one of the Army JAGS’ heroes and our most famous son!

The President, portrayed by Larry Elliott, and Gen. Grant, portrayed by Curt Fields, have been heralded as amazing lookalikes and highly proficient authorities on two of the key figures in the U.S. Civil War. They’ll headline a program that’s scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT on the grounds of the historic Judge Joseph Holt home in Hardinsburg.

The Friends of the Holt Home, Inc. cherishes its position by presenting the Holt Home Community Day where families and visitors of all ages are entertained in the period as Abraham Lincoln’s Lawyer might have entertained. And are proud to coordinate fund raising efforts and events for the home of Judge Advocate General Joseph Holt. Holt, a Breckinridge County native, was appointed Judge Advocate General, in 1862 by President Lincoln. His 19th Century 14-room mansion will be open for public viewing.

In addition to the Lincoln and Grant portrayals, other Community Day highlights include a silent auction, a wreath-laying ceremony at Judge Holt’s monument, period music by the Breckinridge County Concert Band and Chamber Singers, performances by the Berea Festival Dancers, Kentucky Home Guard Band and the Guilderroy Byrne Band. A Civil War baseball game will be conducted along with cannon firing by the 14th Kentucky Light Artillery unit.

Proceeds from the Silent Auction assist with costs for the Community Day, which is free and open to the public. Those wishing to contribute an item should contact the Breckinridge County Chamber (270-756-0268), the Breckinridge County Fiscal Court (270-756-2268), or the Friends of the Holt Home (270-756-2573).

Guided tours of the Holt Home will focus on continuing restoration projects for the 160-year-old mansion. Copies of the latest book concerning the home’s restoration also will be available. Author Susan Dyer will sign Joseph Holt Mansion: Saving and Restoring the Home of Lincoln’s Judge Advocate General.

Judge Holt’s most memorable role as judge advocate general occurred when he presided over the trial of the Lincoln assassination conspirators. His 6,225-square-foot home with its Italianate architecture is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and sits on 19.5 acres owned by the Breckinridge County Fiscal Court.

The Holt Home is located at 6205 Highway 144 in Hardinsburg. More information is available at http://www.jholt-houseky.org or by calling 270-756-2269, 270-756-0268, or 270-756-2573.

O’Donoghue family preparing historic tree saplings for the day!
O’Donoghue family preparing historic tree saplings for the day!
Guests arriving early.
Guests arriving early.
Judge Maurice Lucas and Ed Ford of Richmond conversing.
Judge Maurice Lucas and Ed Ford of Richmond conversing.
Breckinridge County Vintage Baseball Club on Holt Field.
Breckinridge County Vintage Baseball Club on Holt Field.
Ladies dressed in the period.
Ladies dressed in the period.
President Lincoln caught in time!
President Lincoln caught in time!
Dancers setting out a while on MG Joseph Holt’s back porch.
Dancers setting out a while on MG Joseph Holt’s back porch.
Sewing a flag and enjoying the Holt grounds. Children in period costumes enjoying the 11 Annual Holt Home Community Day. Taking their positions by the 14th KY Artillery!
Sewing a flag and enjoying the Holt grounds. Children in period costumes enjoying the 11 Annual Holt Home Community Day. Taking their positions by the 14th KY Artillery!
Fun times had by all!
Fun times had by all!
Kids playing around dressed in costumes for the time period.
Kids playing around dressed in costumes for the time period.
Kentucky Artillery checking the authentic period cannon.
Kentucky Artillery checking the authentic period cannon.
Judge Kelly Easton, Portraying Joseph Holt capturing a moment in time at the yearly September event during restoration.
Judge Kelly Easton, Portraying Joseph Holt capturing a moment in time at the yearly September event during restoration.
Susan Dyer, author, organizing books; Lincoln’s Advocate and most recent release Joseph Holt Mansion (with Many Jean Atchison from Frankfort and Sheila Wayne from Gallatin, TN.)
Susan Dyer, author, organizing books; Lincoln’s Advocate and most recent release Joseph Holt Mansion (with Many Jean Atchison from Frankfort and Sheila Wayne from Gallatin, TN.)
COL Lance Turlington, Recruiting Commander of Fort Knox JAGS, Preparing for the presidential wreath-laying ceremony at MG Joseph Holt’s monument with Kentucky State Senator Steve Meredith and Judge Lucas.
COL Lance Turlington, Recruiting Commander of Fort Knox JAGS, Preparing for the presidential wreath-laying ceremony at MG Joseph Holt’s monument with Kentucky State Senator Steve Meredith and Judge Lucas.
Senator Steve Meredith, COL Lance Turlington and Judge Maurice Lucas organizing for the Presidential Wreath Laying at MG Holt’s monument.
Senator Steve Meredith, COL Lance Turlington and Judge Maurice Lucas organizing for the Presidential Wreath Laying at MG Holt’s monument.
Berea Festival Dancers from Richmond taking fancy steps to the music.
Berea Festival Dancers from Richmond taking fancy steps to the music.
Under the trees dancers perform as guests would have seen in the 1860’s!
Under the trees dancers perform as guests would have seen in the 1860’s!
Dancers dancing a closed position waltz.
Dancers dancing a closed position waltz.
Quiet and peaceful before the busy day ahead.
Quiet and peaceful before the busy day ahead.
Live cannon firing!
Live cannon firing!
President (Larry Elliott) addressing the Berea Dancers.
President (Larry Elliott) addressing the Berea Dancers.
Charlie Corbett, one of the directors of Friends and Susan B. Dyer, president of the Friends, enjoying the day!
Charlie Corbett, one of the directors of Friends and Susan B. Dyer, president of the Friends, enjoying the day!
President Lincoln, (Larry Elliott), warming up for the ceremonial first pitch from the President!
President Lincoln, (Larry Elliott), warming up for the ceremonial first pitch from the President!
Taking precision preparing the barrel.
Taking precision preparing the barrel.
One of two free standing staircase in the historic Judge Joseph Holt Home!
One of two free standing staircase in the historic Judge Joseph Holt Home!
West Wing staircase looking up.
West Wing staircase looking up.
KY Home Guard Band member sharing history of historical tunes.
KY Home Guard Band member sharing history of historical tunes.
Guilderoy Byrne Band performing traditional music.
Guilderoy Byrne Band performing traditional music.
Guilderoy Byrne Band introducing the next number for the crowd.
Guilderoy Byrne Band introducing the next number for the crowd.
Guilderoy Byrne Band playing contemporary music.
Guilderoy Byrne Band playing contemporary music.
KY Home Guard at rest.
KY Home Guard at rest.
Vintage Baseball at Holt Field.
Vintage Baseball at Holt Field.
That's a base hit!
That's a base hit!
Celebrating the tradition of vintage baseball with team spirit on Holt Field!
Celebrating the tradition of vintage baseball with team spirit on Holt Field!
A hard hit ball!
A hard hit ball!
Excitement in the game!
Excitement in the game!
Practice makes performances special!
Practice makes performances special!
Susan Dyer, President of the Friends, non-profit organization, conversing with COL Lance Turlington who performed the Presidential Wreath-Laying Ceremony, that has been made a tradition by the Fort Knox Army JAGS, honoring one of their own through continued partnership.
Susan Dyer, President of the Friends, non-profit organization, conversing with COL Lance Turlington who performed the Presidential Wreath-Laying Ceremony, that has been made a tradition by the Fort Knox Army JAGS, honoring one of their own through continued partnership.
KY 14th Light Artillery with Susan Dyer and Judge Maurice Lucas.
KY 14th Light Artillery with Susan Dyer and Judge Maurice Lucas.
Cleo Lee and David Hayes of the Breckinridge County Historical Society spoke with Charlie Corbett.
Cleo Lee and David Hayes of the Breckinridge County Historical Society spoke with Charlie Corbett.
Beginning the entrance for the Presidential wreathing laying ceremony at Holt’s monument.
Beginning the entrance for the Presidential wreathing laying ceremony at Holt’s monument.
Visitors enjoying dressing in period pieces.
Visitors enjoying dressing in period pieces.
The band plays tribute to our nation.
The band plays tribute to our nation.
Locals Alison O’Donoghue Mattingly and Paul Joseph O’ Donoghue performing.
Locals Alison O’Donoghue Mattingly and Paul Joseph O’ Donoghue performing.
President Lincoln in serious conversation with guests.
President Lincoln in serious conversation with guests.
Curt Fields, portraying General Ulysses S. Grant, President Lincoln, and Charlie Corbett taking a serious pause at the Holt grounds.
Curt Fields, portraying General Ulysses S. Grant, President Lincoln, and Charlie Corbett taking a serious pause at the Holt grounds.
Judge Kelly Easton, portraying Judge Joseph Holt, talking with a visitor.
Judge Kelly Easton, portraying Judge Joseph Holt, talking with a visitor.
Dancing once again at Holt!
Dancing once again at Holt!
The cannon is ready to go.
The cannon is ready to go.
The beautiful historic cannon fired throughout the day.
The beautiful historic cannon fired throughout the day.
COL Lance Turlington, Staff Judge Advocate USARC of Fort Knox was the Keynote speaker September 28, 2019 who spoke on how MG Joseph Holt development the JAG Corps and how Joseph Holt helped save our country!
COL Lance Turlington, Staff Judge Advocate USARC of Fort Knox was the Keynote speaker September 28, 2019 who spoke on how MG Joseph Holt development the JAG Corps and how Joseph Holt helped save our country!
Breckinridge County Judge Executive Maurice Lucas addresses the crowd at Community Day.
Breckinridge County Judge Executive Maurice Lucas addresses the crowd at Community Day.
When players line Holt Field, the crowd comes to enjoy!
When players line Holt Field, the crowd comes to enjoy!
Sewing by hand was done often before 1854.
Sewing by hand was done often before 1854.
MG Joseph Holt’s Monument, the resting place of our most famous son Joseph Holt, President Abraham Lincoln’s Advocate and TJAG!
MG Joseph Holt’s Monument, the resting place of our most famous son Joseph Holt, President Abraham Lincoln’s Advocate and TJAG!
Boots of the period were buttoned or laced or both!
Boots of the period were buttoned or laced or both!
Relaxing afternoon enjoying history.
Relaxing afternoon enjoying history.
The distinguished BCHS Wind Ensemble and Chamber Singers performing songs Holt might have enjoyed.
The distinguished BCHS Wind Ensemble and Chamber Singers performing songs Holt might have enjoyed.
Sewing, sewing, and sewing.
Sewing, sewing, and sewing.
And more sewing!
And more sewing!
Business between Curt Fields (General Grant) and Ed Ford, both dressed for the occasion.
Business between Curt Fields (General Grant) and Ed Ford, both dressed for the occasion.
President Lincoln is admired by guests.
President Lincoln is admired by guests.
Baskets held numerous items of the era.
Baskets held numerous items of the era.
Taking a moment from cannon time!
Taking a moment from cannon time!
Portrait of partial restoration of roof, windows, dormers, lightening rods, chimneys, and original fence by Brown-Forman Grant, (Friends) before Phase 2 restoration work of 2020.
Portrait of partial restoration of roof, windows, dormers, lightening rods, chimneys, and original fence by Brown-Forman Grant, (Friends) before Phase 2 restoration work of 2020.
View of historic Holt Home front porch iron works on September 28, 2019 before the beginning of the Transportation Enhancement Grant Phase 2.
View of historic Holt Home front porch iron works on September 28, 2019 before the beginning of the Transportation Enhancement Grant Phase 2.
View of beautifully restored trim, moldings, dormers, and windows with first $500,000 Transportation Enhancement grant.
View of beautifully restored trim, moldings, dormers, and windows with first $500,000 Transportation Enhancement grant.
Susan Dyer, and General Ulysses S. Grant, portrayed by Curt Fields, giving honor to the man, MG Joseph Holt, whose legacy and career gave national prominence to the Army JAG Corps and national importance to Holt’s Kentucky Home (the only Army TJAG’s home to be restored!) Sheila Wayne viewing the ceremony in the Holt Family Cemetery.
Susan Dyer, and General Ulysses S. Grant, portrayed by Curt Fields, giving honor to the man, MG Joseph Holt, whose legacy and career gave national prominence to the Army JAG Corps and national importance to Holt’s Kentucky Home (the only Army TJAG’s home to be restored!) Sheila Wayne viewing the ceremony in the Holt Family Cemetery.
General Ulysses S. Grant, portrayed by Curt Fields, standing on the west spiral staircase in MG Holt’s home. General Grant was a friend and guest at Joseph Holt’s parties in Washington City. (Source: Manuscript Reading Room, Letters of Joseph Holt)
General Ulysses S. Grant, portrayed by Curt Fields, standing on the west spiral staircase in MG Holt’s home. General Grant was a friend and guest at Joseph Holt’s parties in Washington City. (Source: Manuscript Reading Room, Letters of Joseph Holt)
Charlie Corbett, Friends’ Director, pulls pen from the cannon while Susan Dyer eagerly awaits her turn.
Charlie Corbett, Friends’ Director, pulls pen from the cannon while Susan Dyer eagerly awaits her turn.
Berea Dancers greeting visitors for tours.
Berea Dancers greeting visitors for tours.
Berea Festival Danvers in the foyer with the day’s program (before interior restoration) began in 2020.
Berea Festival Danvers in the foyer with the day’s program (before interior restoration) began in 2020.
Flags flying high at Holt, KY!
Flags flying high at Holt, KY!
Precious things.
Precious things.
Cherished items from the time period.
Cherished items from the time period.
Ladies dressed for the time period, enjoying living history for the day.
Ladies dressed for the time period, enjoying living history for the day.

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!

CONTACT

ADDRESS

6205 Highway 144
Hardinsburg, KY 40143