Category: James and Susan Clay Era (1852-1866)

1852-1866

With Civil War Looming, James and Susan Clay Open Ashland to the Public

March 18, 2019

YOU ARE HERE -> 1857-1865 Once the second Ashland mansion was complete in 1857, normal hospitality resumed.  Henry Clay’s son James and his wife Susan were, for at least the first years of their tenure, quite open to the public’s visitation, “extending cordial courtesies to almost unnumbered visitors.” The public was especially curious about the … More With Civil War Looming, James and Susan Clay Open Ashland to the Public

An 1856 Christmas at Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate

December 14, 2018

YOU ARE HERE -> CHRISTMAS 1856 While statesman Henry Clay had not been home at Ashland for many Christmases due to Congress being in session, once son James and his wife Susan Clay come to Ashland in the 1850s, we begin to get details of how Christmas was celebrated at the estate. James had rebuilt … More An 1856 Christmas at Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate

The Fate of Ashland After Clay’s Death: Son James Makes a Difficult Decision

September 17, 2018

YOU ARE HERE -> 1850s In the final months before Henry Clay died in June of 1852, his son James B. Clay promised his father that he would assume the responsibility for Ashland, as Clay had desired.  James and his family planned to occupy the historic estate, but there was a serious problem: Henry Clay’s … More The Fate of Ashland After Clay’s Death: Son James Makes a Difficult Decision

Paying Tribute to Henry Clay at Ashland, 1857

May 7, 2018

YOU ARE HERE -> 1857 After Henry Clay’s death, his national historic-themed display at Ashland evolved into son James’s Henry Clay tribute display.  James and Susan continued the practice of displaying artifacts within the mansion for public viewing, but now the collection centered on those related to Clay’s life.  They honored Henry Clay’s collection by … More Paying Tribute to Henry Clay at Ashland, 1857

An 1856 Christmas at Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate

December 18, 2017

YOU ARE HERE -> CHRISTMAS 1856 While statesman Henry Clay had not been home for many Christmases at Ashland due to Congress being in session, once James and Susan Clay come to Ashland in the 1850s, we begin to get details of how Christmas was celebrated at the estate. James had rebuilt the Ashland mansion … More An 1856 Christmas at Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate

With Civil War Looming, James and Susan Clay Open Ashland to the Public

October 2, 2017

YOU ARE HERE -> 1857-1865 Once the second Ashland mansion was complete in 1857, normal hospitality resumed.  Henry Clay’s son James and his wife Susan were, for at least the first years of their tenure, quite open to the public’s visitation, “extending cordial courtesies to almost unnumbered visitors.” The public was especially curious about the … More With Civil War Looming, James and Susan Clay Open Ashland to the Public