Established in 1937 from a wedding gift of a shorthorn cow to the W. L. Lyons and Sally Brown, Ashbourne Farms quickly rose to international prominence as one of the Shorthorn Cattle Capitals in the world. Champion bulls such as Sni-A-Bar Randolph and Drummondreach Advocate were important stock animals on the farm. Ashbourne cattle auctions drew upon an international audience. The farm was comprised on several thousand acres in Oldham County including a poultry and dairy operation, thoroughbreds and crosshatch donkey farm. Ashbourne Inn became another facet of the farm operation and became a destination for the tourists who travelled between Louisville and Cincinnati, using meat and poultry from the farm operations as a part of the Inn’s menu. Today this third generation farm is operated by the Brown’s grandson, Austin Musselman and his wife, Layla Musselman, who are striving to implement sustainable agriculture and wildlife conservation activities. The historic features of the auction barn and homestead have been restored and refurbished and heirloom livestock are being raised and farmed to provide sustenance, once again, in the local community.
The exhibit has several features including: history of Ashbourne Farm, highlights of some businesses, organizations, and schools participating in local sustainable activities. There is an active worm culture for children and families to touch and learn about composting. Local artist Ann Carter will unveil her painting of the Ashbourne Cattle barn as well as display other barn paintings in Oldham County. A small barn display that highlights Ashbourne Farm’s cattle auctions and Sni-A-Bar Randolph are featured. Various videos are included including: Sally Brown: A Force of Nature courtesy of KET. The exhibit opening is scheduled for Saturday, March 19, 2011 and is free and open to the public.
Schedule for Opening Day: Ashbourne Farms: Going Green Lifestyles Oldham County
The Going Green Film Festival featuring Bullfrog Films sponsored by the Oldham County Conservation District and CUB Bank (runs all day from 10 a.m. until 6: 30 p.m.) Films: Dirt: The Movie, Homotoxicus, The End of the Line, Good Food: Sustainable Food and Farming , What’s On Your Plate, Toast, Addicted to Plastic
11:00 a.m. Bill Pace demonstrates Making Cedar Shakes and Wood Axe Handles on history center grounds.
11:00 a.m. Special reading by children’s author: Ellie Troutman, “Tails of Windy Meadows”
Noon: Slow Foods Leader and Brown Forman Chef, Mark Williams discusses Food and Sustainability in the local community with samples of products from Ashbourne Farms
2:00 p.m. Suzette White of Nature by Design discusses “Planning your Heirloom Garden”
All activities are free and open to the public.
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Oldham County History Center
106 N. Second Ave.
LaGrange, KY 40031
502-222-0826, email: ochstryctr@aol.com
Website: oldhamcountyhistoricalsociety.org
Free Admission
Hours of Operation:
Tues, Wed, Thurs and Saturday 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.
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