115 Tuliphurst Dr, Pewee Valley, KY 40056 | MLS# 1717648

Description

Set behind towering trees and sweeping lawns in the heart of Peewee Valley, Tuliphurst is one of Kentucky’s most extraordinary and storied residential estates. Revered for its architectural significance, enchanting grounds, and deeply rooted place in the history of Peewee Valley itself, this National Register property is being offered for the first time in nearly four decades. Opportunities like this are exceptionally rare. Not simply because Tuliphurst is historic… but because homes with this level of provenance, atmosphere, acreage, preservation, and spirit almost never become available. Tuliphurst was built in two principal stages during two different eras of the 1800s, the first by Professor Noble Butler and later expanded after the Civil War by Woodford Hector Delaney (cont) Tuliphurst is widely regarded as one of the finest surviving examples of Gothic Revival residential architecture in Peewee Valley and quite possibly all of Oldham County. It was here, according to local legend, that the name “Peewee Valley” was first inspired by the call of an Eastern Wood-Pewee bird echoing through the trees overhead. The estate unfolds across six breathtaking acres, including the original five-acre homesite plus an additional adjoining one-acre parcel being conveyed with the sale. The additional parcel is separately deeded and offers the rare opportunity for a future guest residence, carriage house, or secondary home. Even more remarkable, the front portion of the five acre property is protected conservation land, preserving the beauty and privacy that make Tuliphurst feel entirely set apart from the rest of the world. The home itself is rich with architectural romance and layered history; Tuliphurst has been lovingly maintained and thoughtfully updated over the years while preserving the craftsmanship and character that make it irreplaceable. The exterior was freshly painted in 2025, and a new roof was installed in Spring 2026. From the moment you step through the front vestibule, the home reveals itself with a sense of grace and grandeur rarely found today. The two adjoining front parlors are among the estate’s most exquisite spaces, featuring soaring ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, a staircase rumored to be featured in the famous photo by Kate Matthews, “The Bride,” and the extraordinary ash and walnut parquet floors believed to have been imported from Italy more than a century ago. These are not simply rooms. They are spaces that have hosted generations of Kentucky life. The banquet-sized dining room was designed for gathering and celebration, while the enormous screened-in side porch opens effortlessly to a separate fountain garden area where the sound of water and rustling trees create an atmosphere that feels quintessentially Southern. The library, with its fireplace, bookshelves, and unmistakable character, feels equally suited for quiet mornings with coffee as it does for evenings spent beside the fire during a Kentucky snowfall. The home offers 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths, including a spacious first-floor primary suite thoughtfully added in a later era to blend modern comfort into the home’s evolving story. The suite features a fireplace, large walk-in closet, ensuite bath with soaking tub and walk-in shower, and direct access to the inground swimming pool and outdoor entertaining spaces. The kitchen, mudroom, first-floor laundry area, attached two-car garage, and integrated office workspace allow the home to function beautifully for modern living while preserving the soul of the historic residence. Upstairs, two charming bedrooms, a loft area, full bath, and hidden tucked-away attic spaces create the kind of storybook character that simply cannot be replicated in newer construction. The finished lower level offers additional living flexibility as a second family room, recreation area, or fitness space. Outside, the grounds are nothing short of magical. Towering magnolias, perennial gardens, mature shade trees, expansive lawns, winding garden spaces, and one of the region’s most remarkable bald cypress trees create an atmosphere that feels peaceful, private, and deeply alive. Planted in the 1850s, the magnificent bald cypress has quietly watched over Tuliphurst for generations and remains one of the estate’s most iconic natural landmarks. This is the kind of property where children imagine fairies beneath the trees. Where weddings unfold on the lawn. Where summer evenings linger beside the pool amidst the twinkle of the fireflies. Where generations gather on the porch while cicadas hum softly in the Kentucky air. Tuliphurst has never been simply a historic home. It has been a scholar’s retreat, a gathering place, a country estate, a keeper of Kentucky memory, and a home where nearly two centuries of beauty, celebration, family, and everyday life have unfolded beneath the trees of Peewee Valley. And now, for the first time since 1989, Tuliphurst is ready to welcome its next chapter.