Historic Log Cabin - Farm - Near RRG and Lex. Learn about organic farming

Writers, artists and people needing a get-away...cozy up in your PJs, hike, have outside bonfires. Birding, star gazing and learning opportunities on one of the largest organic farms in central Kentucky. The historic cabin and ell have been totally renovated, with central heat and air, a modern kitchen, modern bathrooms, and solar panels.

Centrally Located in the country, but located within easy drives to Red River Gorge, Lexington, Berea and the new music attraction in Sharpsburg KY.

The space
Our historic cabin is an official Kentucky Landmark and winner of several preservation awards. Located at Mt. Folly, which Laura’s family has owned and operated since the 1820’s, Mt. Folly is one of the largest working organic farms in the state. After 40 years of cherishing her unique country lifestyle, Laura wants to share a piece with you.

The log house sits on more than 1000 acres of Kentucky’s rolling pastures, 45 minutes east of Lexington, near Red River Gorge, Natural Bridge, and the small town of Winchester. Even with these nearby attractions, the cabin has a history and allure of its own, and there may be no reason to leave.

The land on which the cabin was built was patented in 1784 to James Garrard Sr., Kentucky’s second governor. Exactly when the cabin was built is lost to history, but it was common for settlers to build a “pen”, or room, in this case 16 by 18 feet, to stake their claim. (We have plans to do date the building using dendrochronology, but haven’t done it yet.)

We can make a good case that at least one room of the cabin dates from the 1780’s or 1790’s. The back “ell” probably was built around 1850. We’ve gutted it and completely remodeled it, for a modern kitchen and pantry.

The property has two cabin bedrooms, one a master, and one a “bunk” room with a fine double bed and twin. The entire cabin has central heat and air, and the living room has a new, comfortable queen-sized pull- out couch. There is a dining room featuring a Tomlinson Table, the design invented and patented by Laura’s great grandfather. The Library contains books, a library table, and a pull out single sized couch. For dining, guests have a selection of china, from Hadley Pottery to Laura’s family heirlooms. The kitchen is well equipped, and a limited array of local and organic food is available for additional charge on the honor system.

The property has two full baths, a laundry and mud room, and a three-season porch overlooking goat hollow.

Laura is a big reader, the cabin has an eclectic selection of books. There is a Internet, TV, with netflix and local channels.

Guests have free run of the property, and can walk, run or in dry weather drive down the farm road, which is 3 miles long. The farm road makes for a splendid morning run or walk, and we have two mountain bikes available for guests at no charge.


The farm’s mistress, Laura, in 1985 founded a beef company that raised cattle with no antibiotics or growth hormones. Since then, she has continued on the path of better food and sustainable agriculture, her farm raising organic crops, cattle, pigs and heritage grains. She likes to greet all her guests, and wants to be clear that this is a working farm, supporting 5 families, not a hobby farm. The farm is part of a local economy, and works to sequester carbon in soils and trees

The west section of the farm was part of Daniel Boone’s settlement and preemption, and in 1863 an African American community was started on a piece of land contiguous with the farm, the land purchased by Moses Robinson, a “free man of color.” The cemetery remains, and Laura and others are working on preserving the history. This is open for guests to hike.

The cabin consists of 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths, a family room with fold-out couch, Library with single fold out couch, kitchen, pantry, dining room, mud room and three-season porch. The cabin is furnished with antique pieces that match the history of the cabin. It has a new air conditioning and heating system, both electric. Solar panels installed on the roof feed into the grid and offset electricity used.
Bedroom 1:
Located on the second floor, the main bedroom is furnished with a king bed.
Bedroom 2:
Located across the hall from the main bedroom, this bedroom is furnished with a double bed and an adult-sized twin bed.
Master bath, second floor: tile floor and shower, screened toilet, granite vanity, fireplace with gas logs, seating area.
Living room: Fold out couch, comfortable leather chairs, many books, and a flat screened TV that receives local channels and Netflix.
Dining room: a Tomlinson Take-down Table, invented and patented by Laura’s great grandfather, seats 6. Brick two-story fireplace separates the dining room from the kitchen.
Kitchen: new cabinetry and granite counter tops with new appliances. Pantry has many services of china, pots and pans and spices, a toaster and a small microwave.
Downstairs bath: compact with a shower. Washer and dryer nearby.
Three-season porch: – dining table for 4 and rocking chair. Roll-out windows.
Library: single fold out couch, library table, library chairs, book cases, children's books and games.

Guest access

Guests have free run of the property, the farm road makes for a splendid morning run or walk; two mountain bikes are available for guests at no charge.

Interaction with guests

We will be around as much or as little as you desire. Laura or a member of farm staff insist on greeting guests. We live a small hike across the property and we enjoy showing people around, sharing the history of our farm and our day-to-day operations. We might be using the grain mill or taking care of the goats and bottle calves that live in fields near the cabin. Guests can pick fresh vegetables from the farm garden, and feed the hens...and have some fresh farm eggs!

Other things to note
PET POLICY: We allow housebroken dogs but they must be kept with guests, never left alone, and not allowed on the furniture. There is an extra charge for pets, however, and I need to know about them and approve them before booking.

Guests have a private farm store behind the cabin operated on the honor system.

CLEANING DISCLAIMER: a party of more than 5 people will be charged an additional $30 for cleaning which can be paid with cash or check on the honor system.

We do not allow parties at the cabin.