A good summer day trip does not always need a cooler full of snacks, a tank of gas, and three counties’ worth of planning. Sometimes it is just a short drive up the road.
White Hall in Richmond is one of those easy local outings that feels just right for a summer afternoon. It is close to Berea, full of Kentucky history, and simple enough for families, history lovers, or anyone who just wants to do something different without turning the day into a major production.
White Hall is located at 500 White Hall Shrine Road in Richmond. It is the historic home of Cassius Marcellus Clay, one of Kentucky’s most recognized historical figures. The mansion dates to the late 1700s, with a major addition in the 1860s. That gives the house a layered feel. It is not just one moment in history frozen in place. It reflects different periods of Kentucky life, architecture, and change.
🌳 Local Stewardship and History
For Madison County, White Hall is one of those places we all know is there, but many of us probably have not visited in a long time. Some folks may have gone years ago on a school trip. Others may drive through Richmond regularly and forget that a historic site is sitting right there in town. This summer is a good time to take another look.
White Hall is managed by Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). That kind of regional stewardship matters. Historic places do not stay meaningful on their own. They stay meaningful when our local educational institutions and communities keep them open, cared for, and part of public life. With EKU managing the grounds, the site serves as a vital hands-on learning laboratory while remaining an active public treasure for future generations.
🎒 An Educational Adventure for Families
For Berea families, White Hall offers a nearby way to spend part of a summer day doing something educational without it feeling like homework. There is a big difference between telling kids about history and letting them walk through a real historic home. Even if they do not catch every detail, they usually understand that the place itself matters.
Adults may enjoy it for the same reason. A historic home tour slows you down a little. It gives you a chance to look at rooms, details, architecture, and stories that are easy to miss when history is reduced to simple names and dates.
⏰ Summer Tour Schedules
White Hall is open for tours from April through October, Wednesday through Sunday. Visitors have two distinct ways to experience the property:
- Self-Guided Tours (11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.): This is an excellent option for visitors who like to move at their own pace. Some people want to read every sign and take their time. Others like a lighter visit, especially if they are bringing younger children. A self-guided tour gives you the room to do either.
- Guided Tours (Starts at 3:30 p.m.): This option is ideal for visitors who want deep historical context and storytelling. A knowledgeable guide helps connect the architecture, the family dynamics, and the broader political time periods in a way that is hard to capture on your own.
🎟️ Admission and Ticket Prices
Ticket prices are very reasonable for a quick local day trip, and admissions are handled directly at the mansion’s gift shop:
- Self-Guided Rates: $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and military, and $5 for kids 12 and under.
- Guided Rates: $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and military, and $5 for kids 12 and under.
That makes White Hall a manageable outing for many families, especially compared to larger commercial attractions that can get expensive quickly once you add up multi-person tickets, dining, parking, and long-distance travel.
🚗 Making a Day of It
Before you go, it helps to know what kind of trip this is. White Hall is a historic home tour. The appeal is the house, the history, the architecture, and the chance to step directly into a place connected to Kentucky’s past. It is not meant to be rushed, and it is not the kind of stop that needs a packed schedule around it. That is part of the charm.
You can drive from Berea to Richmond, tour the mansion, enjoy a little time out, and still have plenty of day left. It is close enough to be easy, but different enough to feel like you made a small adventure out of it. If you want to make it a fuller afternoon, pair the visit with lunch in Richmond, or head back to town early to catch a community theater production at The Spotlight Playhouse.
Sometimes Kentucky history is sitting right down the road, waiting for us to walk through the front door.
📍 Quick Visitor Guide
- Location: 500 White Hall Shrine Road, Richmond, KY 40475
- Seasonal Calendar: Open April through October (Wednesday through Sunday)
- Self-Guided Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Guided Tour Time: 3:30 p.m. daily (Wednesday through Sunday)
- Tour Types: White Hall History Tour (Wednesday–Saturday) | Days Gone By Tour (Sundays)
Related BereaOnline Stories
- Berea Fourth of July Celebration Expected to Bring Families Together at City Park
- Berea Should Expect a Watchful Summer for Water, Not a Panic
- Berea’s Transfer Station: A Practical Guide to the Local “Dump”
🎭 UPCOMING EVENTS IN BEREA & BEYOND
Theater & Performance at The Spotlight Playhouse Tickets and info: https://www.thespotlightplayhouse.com/
- Annie KIDS (Spotlight Acting School), May 29 to June 7
- Creative Arts Camp (“New York, New York”), June 8 to 12
- Macbeth (The Bluegrass Players), June 19 to 28
- Film Acting Camp (Rising 6th to Age 18), June 29 to July 3
Community, Arts & Civic
- Woodcarver Wednesday (Berea Welcome Center), Wednesday, June 3, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.https://visitberea.com/event/woodcarver-wednesday-192/
- Madison County Skeet Club Public Hours (638 Dreyfus Rd.), Thursday, June 4, 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.https://visitberea.com/event/madison-county-skeet-club-5/
- 15th Annual US 25 Yard Sale (Regional Route), Friday, June 5 to Saturday, June 6, All Dayhttps://visitberea.com/events/
- Junebug Festival (Old Town Artisan Village), Friday, June 5 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.https://visitberea.com/event/https-www-facebook-com-events-1299154265508945/
- Berea Runners Saturday Group Run (Intermodal Trailhead), Saturday, June 6 at 8:00 a.m.https://visitberea.com/event/berea-runners-saturday-group-run-10/
- Taste of Richmond 2026 (Richmond Centre), Friday, June 26 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.https://www.richmondchamber.com/
About the Author
Dr. Chad Hembree is the Executive Director of Spotlight Acting School, The Spotlight Playhouse, and Spotlight Performing Arts. Affectionately known to the community as “Mr. Chad,” he is a playwright, director, and performer with a professional background spanning music, theater, and technology. As a contributor and editor for BereaOnline.com, he focuses on highlighting community news, local events, and the vibrant performing arts landscape in Madison County.
🔗 Source Links
White Hall State Historic Site — Eastern Kentucky University