Event Summary
Join Landmark Events and living historian John Huffman of John’s Legacy Stories for an immersive journey into the formative days of Kentucky’s frontier. Trailblazers of Kentucky explores the courage, conflict, and providence that shaped the early Commonwealth as pioneers pushed westward to build new lives in a rugged and uncertain land. Together we will visit Fort Boonesborough, Old Fort Harrod, historic Danville, and the Perryville Battlefield, where stories of endurance, leadership, faith, and sacrifice come vividly to life through John’s engaging interpretation.
A highlight of the tour is Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, where the simple beauty of the preserved community provides a peaceful setting for evening fellowship, discussions, and reflections on the people and principles that influenced Kentucky’s development. Overnight accommodations are available there as well—see Accommodations below. From frontier stockades to constitutional debates and Civil War battlefields, this tour offers a rich and memorable encounter with the trailblazers who forged Kentucky’s identity.
Tour Highlights
Fort Boonesborough
4375 Boonesboro Road
Richmond, KY 40475
Fort Boonesborough, founded by Daniel Boone and fellow pioneers in 1775, stands as a vivid reminder of Kentucky’s earliest frontier days. Overlooking the Kentucky River, the reconstructed fort reveals the hardships, dangers, and faith that sustained settlers carving a life in contested territory. Cabins, artifacts, and interpreters help us imagine daily routines shaped by scarcity, Native relations, and constant vigilance. As we walk the grounds, we reflect on the providential courage of men and women who endured isolation and uncertainty to establish one of Kentucky’s first communities. Their perseverance shaped the character and future of the American frontier.
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
3501 Lexington Road
Harrodsburg, KY 40330
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill offers a rare look into one of America’s most distinctive religious and communal societies. Founded in the early 1800s, the Shakers created a thriving community marked by order, innovation, craftsmanship, and devoted spirituality. Our overnight stay in restored buildings provides a peaceful setting for evening discussions and fellowship. As we explore the village, we consider Shaker beliefs, their celibate communal life, and their lasting contributions to agriculture, architecture, and music. Pleasant Hill invites reflection on the hopes and limitations of utopian communities seeking to live faithfully within a rapidly changing American culture.
Old Fort Harrod
100 South College Street
Harrodsburg, KY 40330
Old Fort Harrod, established by James Harrod in 1774, was Kentucky’s first permanent settlement west of the Alleghenies. The reconstructed stockade and cabins reveal the rugged realities of pioneer life—resourcefulness, community, danger, and faith on the frontier. Interpreters share stories of settlers who faced isolation, disease, and conflict while building homes and shaping early Kentucky culture. Adjacent exhibits, including a cabin connected to Abraham Lincoln’s family, broaden the narrative of migration and state formation. Old Fort Harrod offers a compelling look at the providential courage of ordinary people who laid the groundwork for Kentucky’s early identity.
Walking Tour of Danville
105 East Walnut Street
Danville, KY 40422
Danville, long known as “the City of Firsts,” offers a rich blend of political, educational, and medical history. At Constitution Square, Kentucky’s leaders debated statehood and drafted the Commonwealth’s first constitution. Nearby, Centre College reflects the enduring legacy of classical Christian education in the region. The Ephraim McDowell House marks the site of the world’s first successful abdominal surgery, a milestone that transformed modern medicine. We finish at Burke’s Bakery, a beloved community gathering place. This engaging walk highlights the remarkable influence of a small Kentucky town on the state’s civic, intellectual, and cultural development.
Battle of Perryville
1825 Battlefield Road
Perryville, KY 40468
The Battle of Perryville, fought October 8, 1862, was Kentucky’s largest and most consequential Civil War engagement. On these preserved fields, over 70,000 Union and Confederate soldiers battled for control of the border state in a fierce, chaotic struggle. Walking the terrain helps us understand the tactics, miscommunications, and providential turns that shaped the outcome. The Union victory thwarted Confederate hopes of securing Kentucky, influencing the war’s western trajectory. Artifacts and personal stories at the museum deepen our grasp of the human cost. Perryville invites sober reflection on sacrifice, leadership, and the nation’s long path toward reunification.
Included in Registration
- Distinctly Christian interpretation
- All venue admissions
- All guide fees and gratuities
- Flexible schedule—no stress
- Individual electronic headsets so you won’t miss a word
- Wonderful evening fellowship times
Ticket Information
Adult (17+) $TBD
Youth (5-16) $TBD
Add’l Family$TBD
Child (0-4)FREE* First four family members at posted price, fifth and subsequent guests enjoy the lower Additional Family Member price.
Speakers
Bill Potter
An experienced historian and avid bibliophile, Dr. Bill Potter combines a lifelong study of American history with an uncommon ability to captivate audiences of all ages as he traces the providential acts of God throughout the ages. He has taught history in high schools and colleges, has led many tours of American and European historical sites and brings to each event a wealth of experience and knowledge. An experienced researcher and writer, Dr. Potter possesses a practical knowledge of antiquarian books, documents, and artifacts and has published several short books and has penned many articles and book reviews for publication. Dr. Potter has earned a well-deserved reputation as a man gifted in communicating the story of God’s providential hand in American history. As a father of eight children, he appreciates the necessity of passing on to the succeeding generations the richness of both our regional and national history. He and his wife, Leslie, reside in Virginia.
John Huffman
John Huffman grew up with a love for history and biography. He portrays Godly heroes in the first person, dressed in period attire. John serves the Lord as a pastor, speaker, and writer, having co-authored a book called “Legacy of Character.” John and his wife, Katie, have two children, Ruth and Caleb. They love to see the stories of God’s faithfulness passed along from generation to generation.
Schedule
Thursday, March 12
| 1:00pm | Shaker Village |
| 3:00pm | Fort Boonesborough |
| 7:00pm | Frontiersmen & Fellowship at Shaker Village |
Friday, March 13
| 9:00am | Old Fort Harrod |
| 1:00pm | Walking Tour of Danville |
| 7:00pm | Frontiersmen & Fellowship at Shaker Village |
Saturday, March 14
| 9:00am | Battle of Perryville |
| 12:00pm | Tour ends—pitch-in picnic lunch (optional) |
Accommodations
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
Image Credits: 1 Fort Boonesborough State Park (Wikimedia.org) 2 Fort Boonesborough State Park (TripAdvisor.com) 3 Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (TripAdvisor.com) 4 Old Fort Harrod State Park (Parks.KY.Gov) 5 Old Fort Harrod State Park (TripAdvisor.com) 6 Danville Walking Tour (DanvilleKentucky.com) 7 Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site (TripAdvisor.com) 8 The Inn at Shaker Village (TripAdvisor.com)
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