Ward Hall Preservation Foundation

Ward Hall is pleased to have been selected as the Georgetown host location for the All Nashville Road Show on Friday, July 24th, 2026. Tickets on sale now.

All Nashville Roadshow: Georgetown, KY Join us for an unforgettable evening as the All Nashville Roadshow brings the heart and soul of Music City to Georgetown, Kentucky

Ward Hall will be open this weekend, as Kentucky Derby Day on Saturday brings horse racing and Kentucky into the world spotlight once again, annually on the first Saturday in May. On May 17,1875, the first Kentucky Derby was run at the Louisville Jockey Club Grounds, later known as Churchill Downs. The race distance was 1.5 miles, a bit longer than the 1.25 miles adopted over 20 years later, in 1896.

Junius Ward was a contributor to the earlier thoroughbred horse racing scene, over 50 years earlier than Churchill Downs. Mentored by his future brother-in-law, Captain Willa Viley, the pair was active by 1820. By 1826 and closer to home, the new Kentucky Association Track was established in Lexington by such leaders as Henry Clay and Dr. Elisha Warfield. Recognized as the oldest turf organization in America, annual race meetings began in 1828 until 1890. The racetrack was closed in 1933 and demolished by 1935, clearing the way for the new Keeneland Association. In Louisville, two early race tracks were Oakland Race Course (1833-1850s) and Woodlawn Race course (1858-1870). Fashionable Woodlawn was known as the "Saratoga of the West" and was successful at first, but succumbed to financial reverses and lasted only 12 years, which included the Civil War years. Junius Ward was also active in Mississippi and Louisiana. He was an early part-owner of the legendary racehorse Lexington (1850-1875), along with Abe Buford, Willa Viley, and eventual outright owner Richard Ten Broeck. A listing of some of his other racehorses can be found on the Ward Hall website. New Orleans and Natchez were other venues in the mix.

Ward Hall was built in the 1850s, at the same time as racehorse Lexington was winning his 6 out of 7 races at the astonishing distance of 4 miles (best 2 out of 3 heats!), standard at the time. Lexington trained in Natchez in 1854. The famous match race 1854 and rematch 1855 against LeComte was held at Metairie Race Course in New Orleans. He was sold to stud in 1856 for an all-time record price of $15,000, and brought home to Kentucky at Woodburn Farm.

It is thought that Junius Ward was an active horseman, racer and breeder for over 40 years, and helped elevate the early horse industry in Kentucky and elsewhere. Ward Hall tours are from 1 - 6 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $10.00.

Dear Ward Hall Friends and Fans, the work has begun in earnest to pack up the Christmas decorations for another ten months. What takes five weeks to set up in November and the first week of December is taken down and stored in just about one week or slightly longer. We would again like to thank all those who were able to come for a visit during the Christmas Candlelight Tours. The welcome interactions and appreciation shown makes all of the effort worthwhile. 2026 promises to be another exciting year as interest in the grand mansion remains high. With the Georgetown 250th anniversary celebrations and the Semiquincentennial Celebration of our Nation, special event inquiries, private and public tours, bus tours, and all the while maintaining the grounds and gardens, in addition to restoration and preservation of the mansion, there is definitely a place for expansion of our volunteer staff. Stay with us and join in if you can, as we fight to preserve history and landmarks that tell the story of where we came from. Education remains high on the priority list for teaching present and future generations . Community involvement at Ward Hall is essential for the continued mission of a true masterpiece of an architectural work that Georgetown, Scott County, and the State of Kentucky can be proud of.