If you’re planning a trip to Paintsville, Kentucky, there are many things to see and do. The city is home to several state parks, including Paintsville Lake State Park, which has boating and fishing boat rentals. It also offers full hookup RV sites and campgrounds. In addition, the town has a replica of a mid-nineteenth century eastern Kentucky farming community complete with a blacksmith shop, one-room schoolhouse, and barn. The community is also home to Dewey Lake, which is known for its crappie and largemouth bass fishing. Another highlight of Paintsville is the Forest and Maxine Preston Memorial Swinginging Bridge, which spans the Big Sandy River.
Lemaster Blacksmith Shop
A visit to the Lemaster Blacksmith Shop is a unique experience. This traditional blacksmith shop uses a unique bellows system and horse shoes for doors. The shop is located on a 25-acre farmstead and is an unforgettable experience.
If you’re interested in local history, you can also visit the Mountain Homeplace, a living history museum in the middle of the Appalachian foothills. The museum features an 1850’s farm, cabin, one-room schoolhouse, and blacksmith shop. You can even see demonstrations of old-time skills. The town is also home to country music legend Loretta Lynn, whose lyrics have gained fame not just among country music fans, but also among coal miners.
Coal Miners’ Museum
Located in the former headquarters of the Miller’s Creek Division of Consolidated Coal Company, Paintsville’s Coal Miners’ Museum includes many collections pertaining to coal mining. These include the “company” doctor’s office, mining tools, the local Veteran’s Hall of Fame, and a collection of original works of art. The museum is also home to the “old” Van Lear Post Office.
In addition to the coal miners’ museum, the town also has several other attractions. Icky’s 1950’s Snack Shop is a historic landmark dating back to the 1940’s. It was once the favorite haunt of high school students, and now serves as the gift shop for the Coal Miners’ Museum. Another popular attraction in the town is Rucker Park, which is owned by the local Van Lear Historical Society. The park has basketball and volleyball courts, playground equipment, and a restored C&O caboose.
For a deeper understanding of coal mining, visitors are encouraged to tour Kentucky’s largest mining museum, the Kentucky Coal Museum. It features the most complete collection of coal mining memorabilia in the country. Painstaking study and research have gone into compiling this collection, which provides a fascinating look at life in a coal camp.
Paintsville’s Stafford House is another interesting attraction. Built as a vaudeville house in the 1930s, this historic building has played host to some of the biggest stars in the entertainment world. A recent makeover included a new lobby and sound system. It is available for rental opportunities.
Francis M. Stafford House
If you are visiting Paintsville, Kentucky, you may be interested in visiting the Francis M. Stafford House, one of the oldest homes in the county. The house was built in 1843 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. This house is located on 102 Broadway Street. It was once home to a wealthy family, the Staffords, who helped establish the town. They owned 1,000 acres, which they sold to the city.
In addition to the Stafford House, you might also want to visit the Mountain Homeplace, a replica of an Eastern Kentucky farming community from the mid-nineteenth century. It includes a one-room schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, cabin, and farm grounds. You can tour the building and see demonstrations of old-time skills. You can also purchase CDs featuring songs by the best country musicians from the area.
If you’re a golfer, you may want to check out the Paintsville Golf Course. This 18-hole course was designed by Dr. Paul B. Hall, who later went on to become part of the Kentucky Golf Association Hall of Fame. The course features rolling fairways and elevation changes. The back nine includes two lakes.
If you’re a hiker, you might also want to consider taking in some of the region’s nature trails. Paintsville Lake State Park has a 1.6-mile-long Kiwanis Walking Trail, which is a beautiful way to get acquainted with the local flora and fauna. Another popular trail is the Adena Trail, which is seven miles long and rewards hikers with picturesque vistas.
Center for Kentucky History
If you love the history of Kentucky, you’ll love visiting the Center for Kentucky History in Paintsville. This multimillion-dollar museum complex features exhibits, educational spaces, and an extensive research library. It also includes archives storage and a museum gift shop. The Center for Kentucky History also houses the Old State Capitol and the Kentucky Military History Museum.
The city is home to a historic mansion built by one of the state’s richest citizens. The building, known as the Mayo Mansion, features three stories and 43 rooms. The Mayo Mansion is currently used as a parochial school, but you can tour the three-story building by appointment.
Paintsville is the home of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, which opened a depot on September 1, 1904. The town grew and prospered, but the railroad caused an unintended consequence. Soon, thousands of tons of coal were being shipped out of eastern Kentucky by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. By 1910, the railroad was able to transport tens of thousands of tons of coal from Kentucky to other parts of the country. Mayo also became a political lobbyist and had influence over the election of Woodrow Wilson.
Before the Civil War, Johnson County was an isolated place, without roads or highways. Most supplies and people traveled by horseback or steamboat. Stage coaches were also a common method of transportation between eastern Kentucky and other parts of civilization. The town began to grow in 1860, but the Civil War disrupted the town, tearing many families apart.
Mountain Homeplace is a living history park where interpreters give oral history about the Civil War’s impact on the county. The center also features an award-winning video featuring Richard Thomas. During the Civil War, Johnson County was in a precarious situation – neither the Union nor the Confederate flag flew above its county courthouse. The Living History Park hosts a Civil War “eruption” each year, where re-enactors dress in authentic uniforms.
In the Pines Amphitheater
Located on the grounds of the Mountain HomePlace, the In the Pines Amphitheater is an outdoor venue that holds 700 people. It is built in the style of an ancient Greek amphitheater. The open-air stage gives it a unique feel, combining the ancient theater with a modern, open design. The venue is a great place for concerts and other events throughout the year.
