The Venue

We are thrilled to be having our wedding at the beutiful Oxmoor Farm. Oxmoor is a historical gem giving us a glimpse into Kentucky’s past, spanning 230 years. Oxmoor was home to 5 generations of the Bullitt family. The family was influential in the formation of Kentucky and their house, original section built in 1791 to the first addition in 1829 and the 2 additions in the early 1900s, is a literal testament to the state’s history from colonial times through the 20th century.

Buffeted by the beautiful gardens that were designed in 1911 and the tree-lined avenue, as well as the charming outbuildings add to Oxmoor’s beauty and its historical uniqueness. When they aren't hosting weddings, the knowledgable staff of Oxmoor Farm gives tours of the house and grounds. You can hear the stories that Oxmoor has to tell of early pioneer days and the Native Americans, the history of hemp cultivation in Kentucky, the antebellum years and the enslaved community that lived and worked here, through the gilded age and present day. Come see one of the few historic sites in the country where you can walk through 3 centuries of American history and explore the 13 original outbuildings including a smokehouse, springhouse, ice house, hemp barn, and former slave cabins. The historic house is furnished with original pieces that belonged to the Bullitt family. The gardens were designed in 1911 by Marian Cruger Coffin, one of the first female landscape architects in the country.

Oxmoor was home to a large group of enslaved African Americans from its beginning in 1787 to the end of the Civil War in 1865. The highest number of documented slaves held at Oxmoor totaled 101 in 1816. The slaves were written about in Bullitt family letters thus giving a one-sided glimpse at their lives. Slave births, weddings and deaths are all documented in the letters, as well as reports on their health and even their punishments for insolent behavior. While slavery is not a comfortable part of our history, the individual lives are important and part of our nation’s history. Oxmoor is a unique history site with original slave dwellings still standing, as well as a kitchen and overseer’s house.

Plans are in place for the complete restoration of all four slave dwellings to their original footprint and to uncover original details. The cabins were turned into living quarters for farm workers until the 1990’s, so there are plans to remove additions on the larger buildings, including kitchens and baths, inside plaster will be removed to uncover the original hearths and expose brick walls and wood rafters. Repairs will be done to rafters and masonry as needed. Depending on the building, floors will be wood or a hard-pack dirt. The roof will be historic wood shingles. All four buildings have incurred water damage, so new drainage will be put in place with perimeter gravel systems and water piped away from each building.

If you would like to forgo a gift on the registry, we will have a donation box available at the wedding to give to the efforts to preserve and restore this history.