Joseph Holt Mansion: Saving & Restoring the Home of Lincoln's Judge Advocate General

On a Sunday afternoon in 1997 while driving along State Highway 144 near Stephensport, Kentucky, Susan Dyer and her husband passed the Joseph Holt Mansion and her life changed forever. Originally built in the 1850s with some features dating to the 1870s once part of Holt's 10,000-acre estate the home had been vacant for more than 50 years and deteriorated due to time, the elements, and lack of upkeep. Joseph Holt Mansion tells the story of Susan's tireless efforts to save the Holt mansion, initially by bringing awareness to the historical importance of Judge Joseph Holt and the Holt home to the people of Breckinridge County, Kentucky. Although told it couldn't be restored by restoration experts and public officials, Susan began a campaign to restore the mansion to its former glory. Judge Holt Mansion describes Susan's "never say never" attitude and the thousands of hours spent in fund raising, grant writing, and leading the charge along with other volunteers and public officials to save the Holt mansion. Judge Joseph Holt was born in Breckinridge County in 1807 and was buried in the Holt Family Cemetery east of the mansion in 1894. The mansion was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Read Judge Holt Mansion and learn the story behind the efforts to restore a true piece of Kentucky heritage.