Discover 5 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Winchester (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Leeds Theater, Bluegrass Heritage Museum, and Clark County Court House. Also, be sure to include Clark Mansion in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Winchester (Kentucky).
Table of Contents
Leeds Theater
Movie theater in Winchester, Kentucky. The Leeds Theatre is a single-screen movie theater in downtown Winchester, Kentucky. One of Winchester's first movie houses, the theater was purchased by S.D. Lee, president of the Winchester Amusement Company on May 12, 1925 and opened with The Crowded Hour starring BeBe Daniels. It was later named in a contest after its first owner S.D Lee, by rearranging the letters of his name.
The theater declined in both attendance and general upkeep, closing its doors in 1986.
Shortly after, the Winchester Council for the Arts restored the theater to its original appearance. The theater reopened in 1990 as the "Leeds Center for the Arts" with new equipment, a larger stage, and the original paint color scheme of 1925. The theater remains one of Clark County's timeless treasures today, showing films from the Golden Age of Hollywood and highlighting various musical and drama performances.[1]
Address: 37 N Main St, 40391-2605 Winchester
Bluegrass Heritage Museum
Museum in Winchester, Kentucky. Bluegrass Heritage Museum is a local history museum in Winchester, Kentucky. The museum explores many eras, ranging from the Eskippakithiki Indian Village, to Daniel Boone and his settlement of Boonesboro, and to the modern day. The exhibits are distributed across the building's three floors, and include the former use of the building as a medical clinic, local agricultural and military history, and collections of quilts and telephones. The museum also holds public programming related to Kentucky's Civil War heritage. The museum also houses the collections of the former Pioneer Telephone Museum.[2]
Address: 217 S Main St, 40391-2455 Winchester
Clark County Court House
Courthouse in Winchester, Kentucky. The Clark County Court House is a Greek Revival courthouse in downtown Winchester, Kentucky, United States.
Built in 1853, it is the fourth building on this site, and still houses the Circuit Courtroom and Family Courtroom for the Administrative Office of the Courts.
The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
It is the centerpiece of the Winchester Downtown Commercial District, also NRHP-listed.[3]
Clark Mansion
Building. Clark Mansion also known as Holly Rood or the Gov. James A. Clark Mansion, is one of the most historic homes in Clark County, Kentucky.
Construction began in 1813 for James Clark who was 13th governor of Kentucky and was finished in 1814. It was built specifically for James and his wife, who named it after her father. Clark Mansion is historically significant for its Federal architecture. It is a single building on less than 1-acre (4,000 m2) of land. It is a two-story brick painted red house with a wide front porch and Ionic columns. It also has a wide entrance and the 2nd story has a Palladian window.
Clark Mansion sits away from the road and has a huge front yard. It is located close to Hannah McClure Elementary, Library and College Park. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. As it is owned by the local government, people can tour the house and view its antique furniture. It is often used for formal events including weddings.
Clark was buried in a private burial ground in the old Clark home at Winchester, Clark County, Kentucky. A Monument was built in the place where he was buried.[4]
Address: 28 Beckner St, 40391-1810 Winchester
William Hickman House
The William Hickman House located at 31 West Hickman Street, is a brick house in Winchester, the county seat of Clark County, Kentucky. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
Its brick on the west facade is laid in Flemish bond; it is common bond elsewhere.
Built by John Couchman in 1814, it was originally intended to be a tavern, but before he opened it, it was bought by local cabinet maker William Hickman. Six generations of Hickmans lived in the house, which remained a residence until it was bought by the Clark County Bank in 1982. In 1990 it was bought by Dykeman & Rosenthal, a law firm in Winchester, Ky. In 2016 it wasn't purchased privately by a couple living in Winchester. More information can be found at thehickmanhouse.com[5]