Constitution Square Historic Site opens for tourist season

DANVILLE, Ky. - Constitution Square Historic Site is now open for tourist season. 

 

Jennifer Kirchner, executive director of the Danville-Boyle County Convention and Visitors Bureau said the cabins are open every April through October "for people to explore and learn about our history."

 

The park is available for self-guided tours 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Guests can tour the courthouse, meetinghouse, jailhouse, and post office.

 

The Visitors Center in Grayson's Tavern and the Constitution Square Gift Shop - located in the Alban Goldsmith House - also will be open for guests.

 

"The park is especially beautiful during this time of year," said Mariel Smith, Information Services Coordinator for the CVB. "It's the perfect place to bring your lunch and enjoy the warm weather. It's also open for weekday and Saturday self-guided tours, and makes a great venue for family reunions or parties. I love that we have an oasis of peaceful nature and historical significance tucked away in the heart of bustling downtown."

 

Constitution Square Historic Site was the birthplace of Kentucky's statehood. In 1785, Danville was chosen as Kentucky's first seat of government; and a meetinghouse, courthouse and jail were built to administer the growing territory. Between 1784-1792, 10 constitutional conventions took place at the courthouse of Constitution Square. In 1790, Kentucky delegates accepted Virginia's terms for separation, and the state constitution was drafted at the final convention in April 1792. Shortly thereafter, on June 1, 1792, Kentucky became the 15th state in the union.

 

In recent decades the original buildings on the site have been renovated, and replica buildings of historic note have been added. The oldest among the originals is a log building dating from before statehood, which was the first post office west of the Allegheny Mountains.

 

In 2012, Boyle County Fiscal Court took ownership of the former state park, and today it houses the offices of the Danville-Boyle County Economic Development Partnership.

 

"I like to say Danville is a place 'where preservation meets progress' and Constitution Square is a true example of this," Kirchner said. "At the park, preserving our history remains paramount even while making progress by housing the EDP offices, welcoming and educating school children, and allowing everyone to celebrate and enjoy this beautiful anchor of our downtown. Such pristine green spaces in downtown settings can be hard to come by and we are very fortunate to have one so enchanting."

 

The park will host several exciting events this year, including the Heart of Danville's summer movie series. The park is available to rent for weddings, reunions, church services and other events.

 

One new feature at the park is free wireless Internet access for guests and visitors.

 

For more information on the park, contact the Visitors Center at (859) 236-7794 or visit danvillekentucky.com. Constitution Square is located at 105 E. Walnut Street, Danville, KY 40422.