Woodhaven began life as a house named Woodview. It was built by Theodore Brown ( 1821 - 1899) on a 500 acre tract that he inherited from his father James Brown ( 1780 - 1853 ). The area was known as Low Dutch Station from an earlier fort on the property around Beargrass Creek. The Gothic Revival Mansion incorporates distinctive features from a design by A.J. Downing, as shown in the 1850 publication, “The Architecture of Country Houses”. It may also have been designed by Architect Jacob Beaverson who is credited with designing Lyndon Hall, a nearby house that is now the clubhouse for Hurstbourne Country Club. The Main House and the Carriage House were built in 1853. All the bricks were made on the property. The house is listed on the National Register because of its architectural significance. It is an excellent example especially because all the original features are still intact, including the ceiling plasters work, diamond windowpanes with trefoil decorations and interior shutters, and 14 foot arched gothic doors. Theodore planted many indigenous trees on the 18 acres in front of the house (see picture on back). He was a prominent early farmer interested in landscape architecture and has several letters on the subject in the Smithsonian. He was well known as a progressive farmer and was active in agriculture and stock meetings in the areas. He married twice and raised 20 children on the property.

From letters from the time it seems they were happy and healthy...no small accomplishment for that period. Eight portraits of Brown family members, on display in the Main House are on loan from a great granddaughter, Helen Trig. In 1920 the house was sold to the Monohan family, who renamed it Woodhaven. They had earlier bought the property called Wildwood,which was owned by Theodore’s brother James. That house, which was built in 1820 by Theodore’s father James Brown, is still standing and is now the clubhouse for Mallard Crossing. The Monohan family owned both properties until the 1970s when they were sold for all the developments around here. Woodhaven narrowly missed be razed in 1985 when the developers decided to tear it down but were stopped by St. Matthews.It was rescued again in 1986 by Bob Drane, who bought the property and spent 3 years bringing the Main House back from near ruin. I bought the house in 1993 and continued to renovate the Main House and the Carriage House and then built the Rose Cottage in 1998. It was opened to the public as a bed and breakfast by me in fall of 1993.