“We shape our buildings, therefore, our buildings shape us.”
― Winston Churchill
I had a fever last week. Like, all week long. It was horrible. My head hurt almost ’round the clock, which made getting to lay in bed for a week a complete waste. I couldn’t read. I couldn’t watch TV. I could only close my eyes and hope that by lying perfectly still for long enough, my temperature might shift from the 100-point-something to the 99-point-something. Man what a difference a couple of points can make, am I right?
Anywhoobs…I’m happy to be out of bed and fever-less this week. Still hacking & wheezing and looking like death warmed over, but upright at last…and hopeful that it’s just a matter of time before I feel like my old self again.
At some point while I was laying there thinking, I remembered that I hadn’t told you about the Old Talbott Tavern. What a charming restaurant/inn! I came across it while searching for places to stay before our trip to central Kentucky a few weeks ago.
It was built in 1779, which makes it the oldest stagecoach stop still in operation. It’s located in Bardstown, at the crossroads of the young West, where the east, south, north and west Post roads once met and created a natural stop for every stagecoach that rolled near its door. Back then, grateful passengers found cheer and warmth while horses were changed for the long trip ahead. These days, I’m happy to report, grateful travelers can find the same thing.
We ended up staying at a hotel a couple of hours away, but I had to have my picture made with the old place since we were so close by. After all, thick Flemish bond stone walls stacked around 241 years worth of stories just doesn’t plop into your path every day. So, after we visited Bernheim Forest, we drove 20 minutes out of the way to find the Talbott. We pulled up to it right around supper time and the scent of pot roast immediately lured us inside.
I’ll never forget the sounds of the wooden floorboards, stretching and popping underneath our feet, as we made our way through the gift shop and into the dining room. And what is it about passing through an extra deep doorway, clad in someone’s historic handiwork, that makes entering and exiting feel like such an extraordinary experience?
While we waited for our food, I visually gobbled up all the architectural interest. There were deep window casings clad in the same gorgeous paneled wood, heavy rustic ceiling timbers, centuries-old built-in-cupboards, and two identical fireplaces that made me feel warmer just looking at them.
I just sat there and smiled at everything. And as I filled my belly with vegetables and roast, I pictured many of the people who probably once sat there doing the same. Daniel Boone, King Louis Phillippe, Jesse James, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Jackson- they all knew of the warmth of the hearth fire in the central room.
(A peek at one of the guest rooms upstairs.)
Which made me think: wouldn’t it be neat if you could search for accommodations by year? I feel like I’d always filter by “1700s”. 🙂
Layla
I just love places like that! Thanks for sharing and glad you are feeling better.😊
love those old taverns and the history
thank you for sharing feel better
Thank you, Gale! 🙂
Me too, Deedra. It nearly burned down at one point in time, but thank heavens they were able to save it!
So delighted you came across this gem. I grew up in Bardstown and many of my friends worked at the Talbott Tavern in high school. My mom still lives just minutes away from Bernheim. So glad you took the time to visit.
Me too, Lana! What a magical little place!
lovely post/ we are finally sounding less and less like barking dogs so it does finally go awayl hope your recovery will be a speedy onel
Thank you, Brenda. Glad to hear you’re getting better too!
So glad you are better!
Thank you, Marsha. It was a rough week, and I’m still coughing, but MAN am I glad that fever is gone! 😀
I haven’t been reading your blog for a while due to my own issues but I felt the urge to read this particular one. I have been wearing your tshirt ‘Don’t give up your daydream’ which I finally found. ( you may not recall how I mentioned that in a previous blog of yours but serendiptdy brought that shirt back to me recently when I needed to remember that message most) and decided to reconnect to all those who meant so much to me.
I am sad to hear you were so ill. Fevers are not good at all! I hope you feel better now. I hope Sonny was able to cope with you being ill?
Apologies for the long comment, however, I have been drawn to the 1700s as I am writing a book loosely based on my own family immigration from England to Rhode Island to Australia. So something resonates in me in seeing your blog, and photos which made me gasp and feel a connection.
I hope you feel much better as the days progress and thankyou for sharing such a wonderful piece of US history.
Hi, Maria!
Thank you for visiting us here today. I loved reading that you’re writing a book! Sounds like one I’d love to absorb for sure! 😀
I absolutely love historic Inn/Restaurants such as this one!!! I could smell the pot roast and feel the fireplace just reading your writings of it! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
You’re so welcome, Linda! Thank you for swinging by and taking the time to write! 😀
I just love the way you write. It draws you in and makes you want to keep going. Thank you for taking us on these journeys with you.
Thank you so much, Tracy! What a kind comment you left for me to find! 😀
Hi Layla…I wrote after your Bernheim post that I lived close and love Bardstown as well. My sister lives there now although we were raised in Louisville. My grandmother was born there and her father owned the town’s flour mill. The home she was born in is still standing and occupied. It’s within walking distance of the Talbot. As my grandmother aged, I would pick her up in Louisville and take her and my aunt to visit people in Bardstown they had known. And after she passed I’d take my mother, aunt and sister shopping and always lunch at the Talbot Inn. I hope you visited My Old Kentucky home. It’s only about 5 miles outside the town. There is also an outdoor theater that thru summer months shows a play about Stephen Foster who wrote the song “My Old Kentucky Home”…the home itself is very beautiful as are the grounds…lots of history there too. So glad you got to visit. I live about 45 min. North of Orlando now. Still have a small place in Louisville we visit seasonally as all our family is there. Since you like history, I’ll recommend you read author, Laura Frantz’s books often set in KY in that time period. She lives mostly in Washington state but writes from a log cabin in Berea, KY where her grandmother and family all lived. Look her up…her books are at Amazon and she writes an occasional blog/newsletter. I met her in Scotland!! Glad you are up and about. Thoughts and prayers coming your way😍
Oh, how fun! I loved reading through your comment and I will *definitely* look that author up. Sounds right up my alley! Thank you! 😀
Hi Layla,
Oh this was just the cherry on top! Thank you for taking the time to share this fascinating part. Ahhh that fireplace! Love the shape!! Next time share a picture of your plate of food…although my imagination managed haha!
Thanks again, Jill
I actually have a photo of my food- LOL!
I’ll have to upload it here so you can see! 😀