Phillips' Folly
Phillips' Folly | |
NRHP reference No. | 78001383[1] |
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Added to NRHP | August 10, 1978 |
Phillips' Folly is an historic three-story brick residence in
William B. Phillips was Maysville's second mayor and was among those who welcomed
Phillips sold his "folly" to wealthy businessman John Armstrong in 1838. Armstrong was instrumental in the early development of the
The Reed family owned the home from 1894 to 1904. Dr. John Reed maintained a medical practice in the basement of the residence for about 10 years. Also during this period, the residence was the adolescent home of U.S. Associate Supreme Court Justice,
According to oral history, during the ownership of Francis Woodland Armstrong, the mansion served as an important post along the
In March 2011, Ghost Adventures from the Travel Channel filmed at Phillips' Folly.[6] The episode aired on Friday, May 13, 2011. It featured former resident and Underground Railroad historian, Jerry Gore. The home is said to be the residence of several spirits, including John Armstrong and his Newfoundland dog; by John Pearce who died in the home around 1890 either by fighting a duel in the home's back parlor or by suicide in the home's back parlor (dueling was outlawed at the time, therefore death by suicide may have been the manner of death officially recorded);[7] and by former slaves who were chained in the basement prior to the home's abolitionist history. The home's backyard is directly adjacent to one of the oldest known cemeteries in Kentucky (circa 1800–1850) referred to locally as the Maysville Pioneer Graveyard, which was established on land acquired by city trustee Jacob Boone, close friend, business partner, and cousin to Daniel Boone. Jacob Boone and his family are buried in the Maysville Pioneer Graveyard in a plot notating Jacob's militia service during the American Revolutionary War.
Phillips' Folly was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 10, 1978. Phillips' Folly is a private residence.
References
- ^ a b "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
- ^ Sarah Lansdell, "Heritage Homes of Maysville," The Courier-Journal and Times Magazine, Sunday, August 5, 1973, p.16
- ^ a b Sarah Lansdell, p. 19
- ^ "National Register for Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
- ISBN 9780394720951.
- ^ "Kentucky Slave House". Travel Channel. Retrieved 2021-07-25.
- ^ autointerface (2007-06-15). "Phillips' Folly: The rich history of one of Maysville's oldest homes". Ledger Independent – Maysville Online. Retrieved 2021-07-25.