We do not often get to see or experience what life was like 100 or more years ago. Fortunately, some wonderful historians foresaw the wisdom of treasuring some of our architectural heritage. Old villages, settlements and buildings have been repaired and preserved into what is now a variety of historic villages in Kentucky.

Here are 11 historic villages in Kentucky that are worth a visit:

11. Merchant Row

The historic Merchant’s Row in Perryville has been around since 1840. The video above gives a brief review of the beautiful and ancient architecture.

10. Dundee Goat

This goat weathervane came from Scotland in the 1890s, and sits atop this ancient church in Dundee, Ohio County on what was once Hines Mill Road. It is made of zinc and has been featured on Ripley’s Believe it or Not.

9. Woodford Reserve Distillery

This property houses one of Kentucky’s oldest distilleries, built around 1812 via Elijah Pepper. Even if you don’t like bourbon, you have to appreciate the architecture and the fact that it still stands strong.

8. Old Louisville

This may not take you back to the pioneer days, but a stroll through Belgravia Court can most assuredly take you back to the Victorian era. The homes date back to the 1800s with beautiful architecture made to impress during the times.

7. Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill.

This community at 3501 Lexington Road in Harrodsburg was active from around 1805 to 1910, initially. The site was restored in the early 1960s and is now part of a preserved historic district. Workers can still be seen doing the tasks that would have been done in the village back then.

6. South Union Shaker Village

This 1850 Shaker village is located on 850 Shaker Museum Road in Auburn. The image was of the primary home on the land. The village was initially abandoned in the early 1920s. There is a museum located there now.

5. Hensley Settlement

This 1903 settlement is located in the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park around 91 Bartless Park Road in Middlesboro. It is a preserved and rebuilt duplication of the original settlement that stood on the location.

4. Fort Harrod

This historic 1774 settlement was the very first town in Kentucky. It was then called Harrodstown, but is present day Harrodsburg. Visitors will find it located on 100 College Street.

3. Magoffin County Pioneer Village

This downtown area at 191 South Church Street in Salyersville is home to 14 reconstructed log homes and businesses. The area has been beautifully preserved to allow for a feeling of being right at home.

2. Blackacre Nature Preserve

This uniquely preserved area features more than 240 acres of beautiful rolling fields, streams and a homestead built in 1844 by Presley Tyler. Several buildings from the era remain intact, including the home, an Appalachian style barn and a stone spring house, though repairs were necessary.

1. Old Bardstown Village

This authentic pioneer village at 310 E Broadway Street in Bardstown has buildings ranging from 150 to more than 200-years-old. Minus the sounds of traffic, the preserved district gives you the feel of walking back in history.

Today’s generations are blessed with the capability to revisit the way our ancestors and the previous residents survived. The hard work and preservation that has taken place allow us to experience the historic villages of Kentucky firsthand. Just imagine, no cars, no power tools, unless you count man-powered, and no fancy washing machines.  Kentuckians really worked hard for what they had back then.

These are just a few of our preserved settlements. Have you visited any of these historic villages in Kentucky? Do you have another favored historical spot?