Walk into history at the Alexander Bradford House
Written by Kathy Witt
If walls could talk, they’d have plenty to say at the Alexander Bradford House, a historic home stay in Stamping Ground. It is a story that would be told in three parts as different sections of the house were built around 1810, 1830 and 1900. With its oldest wing over 200-plus years old, the brick and wooden structure has survived weather, war and plenty of wear and tear. It has earned its place on the National Register of Historic Places.
“We have filled it with antiques suitable for the periods,” said Sue Baker, who co-owns the lodgings with her friend, Mary Carroll Burnett. “And we actually use the furniture! People are amazed that everything isn’t behind ropes like in a museum.”
Rather, this is a place to cozy up to the woodstove in the TV area – but there’s central heat and air to keep things comfy year-round. It’s a place to gather on barstools at the kitchen counter while dinner is being prepared, play a boardgame on the dining room table and snuggle beneath the quilts in one of three bedrooms – including one with a sitting area – each furnished with antique beds topped with new memory foam mattresses.
The large bathroom has an old-fashioned clawfoot tub stretched out before a hidden shower. A patio bounded by a rock wall and planted with greenery is irresistible on crisp fall nights. A historic sign in front of the house lets visitors know they are stepping into the past.
Once inside, visitors will find loads of information about Kentucky, with bookshelves packed with books on the history, geography, gardening and wildlife of the Bluegrass, as well as a large selection of fiction books written by Kentucky authors. A collection of brochures provided by the Georgetown/Scott County Tourism Office are also at guests’ fingertips.
“Whether you want to stay here and relax with a good book or travel around our beautiful area, we’ve got you covered,” said Sue.
The Alexander Bradford House is part of Baker and Burnett’s Historic Home Stays, which will soon include additional lodgings. The house is booked entirely through Airbnb, meaning no-contact entry. Once reservations are made, directions on how to get into the house are sent to guests. Bookings are for the entire home. For more information, visit the home on its Facebook page or call 859- 338-9176.
Learn about other historical and unique places to stay in Georgetown here.
Hotel to Home Hack? “Mix the antique with the new. We may use an antique chest of drawers as a TV stand with games hidden in the drawers below and have an antique claw-foot tub in front of a hidden modern shower. Some of the floors are original but others are new from when the house was remodeled after the tornado of 1974.” Sue Baker