Woodhaven began life in 1853 as a house named Woodview. It was built by Theodore Brown (1821-1899) on a 500 acre tract that he inherited from his father. 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.

Listed on the National Register because of its architectural significance, Woodhaven is an excellent example of Gothic Revival architecture. All the original features are still intact -- including the ceiling plaster’s work, diamond windowpanes with trefoil decorations and interior shutters, and 14-foot arched gothic doors.

Brown was a prominent early farmer interested in landscape architecture and has several letters on the subject in the Smithsonian. He married twice and raised 20 children on the property. From letters from that time it seems the Brown family was 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. Woodhaven narrowly missed being razed in 1985 when developers decided to tear it down but were stopped by St. Matthews church. It was rescued again in 1986 by Bob Drane, who bought the property and spent three years bringing the Main House back from near ruin.

Marsha Burton, the current owner, bought the house in 1993. She continued to renovate the Main House and the Carriage House and then built the Rose Cottage in 1998. It opened to the public as a bed and breakfast in fall of 1993.