Believing in preservation, the historic Holt Home has been saved with a fascinating journey of over two decades. On September 25 from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. you are invited by the Friends of the Holt Home, and Breckinridge County Fiscal Court to view what Judge Advocate General Joseph Holt’s own community has done to save and restore the home.

When you come, you will learn the story of a community that has strong will power and has turned a decaying piece of its heritage into a community treasure. The home will have numerous new uses and soon will hopefully become the National Home of the United States Army Judge Advocate General Corps.

Judge Advocate General Joseph Holt, a locally raised national figure, known best as “Lincoln’s Judge Advocate General” of the 1860’s era, has been given a new hearing and his historic home given a new lease on life. President Abraham Lincoln initially chose Holt to be his Secretary of War and then later, Judge Advocate General of the Union Army during the Civil War. After Lincoln’s assassination, Joseph Holt was the prosecuting judge of the Lincoln Conspiracy Trial. Holt developed what is now the modern-day Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps. In 2021, the 40th Judge Advocate General Charles D. Pede, from the Pentagon, visited Holt’s historical home stating the Holt Home was an important part of the Regiment’s history.

Keynote Speaker: Mr. Jim Weise, Retired Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Army JAG Corps who later went on to serve in a civilian capacity as the Chief of Administrative Law, U.S. Army Recruiting Command, Fort Knox.

Visitors will view restoration of 1st and 2nd floors, including the west and east wing foyers, staircases, new flooring on the first floor, painted plaster walls & trim, along with dazzling new reproduction chandeliers. Several reproduction oriental rugs from the Kentucky Colonels Good Works Program have also been placed. A period correct Piano has been donated and placed in the West Parlor.

Guests will be entertained by a new two-act Civil War play, “The Final Curtain”, written by Ed Ford. Actors will perform as President Lincoln,(Larry Elliott), Judge Joseph Holt, (Judge Kelly Easton), General Ulysses S, Grant, (COL Lance Turlington), Vanna Holt,(Mary Elliott), Emma Watkins, (Jennifer Ramsay), Director Warren Greer, and Producer/ Author Ed Ford.

“A must see stop” across Kentucky for an enjoyable day with family and friends with events of a silent auction, guided tours where visitors see and learn of the recreated atmosphere the Holt Family would have lived, firing of the 14th Kentucky Light Artillery, a vintage baseball game of local talent,( visitors please bring lawn chairs), Monday’s Food Truck, a Presidential wreath-laying ceremony at Holt’s monument, patriotic music, distinguished guest speakers, period music, Kentucky Home Guard Band, Jubal’s Academy ensemble, reenactors, Guilderoy Byrne Band, Berea Festival Dancers and local performers.

The latest book about the mansion’s restoration, Joseph Holt Mansion: Saving and Restoring the Home of Lincoln’s Judge Advocate General, by local author Susan B. Dyer will be available.

Donations are much appreciated and needed as the Friends of the Holt Home Inc. and volunteers work hard to bring the yearly event free to the public.