Set behind towering trees and sweeping lawns in the heart of Pewee 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 Pewee 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 Pewee Valley and quite possibly all of Oldham County. It was here, according to local legend, that the name "Pewee 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 Pewee Valley. And now, for the first time since 1989, Tuliphurst is ready to welcome its next chapter.
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Zillow last checked:
Listing updated:
Listed by:
The Price Group502-554-9749,
Keller Williams Collective
Source: Metro Search Inc. LLC DBA Apex MLS,MLS#: 1717648
Facts & features
Interior
Bedrooms & bathrooms
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 4
Full bathrooms: 3
1/2 bathrooms: 1
Primary bedroom
Description: Added in a later era, the primary suite offers exceptional scale and modern comfort within the home's evolving story, including space for a full sitting area separate from the sleeping space
Level: First
Area: 515.85
Dimensions: 28.50 x 18.10
Bedroom
Description: The room offers exceptional flexibility as a guest suite or private retreat - with ease of access to the library, dining room, and screened porch
Level: First
Area: 203.85
Dimensions: 13.50 x 15.10
Bedroom
Description: The second additional bedroom features vintage wallpaper wrapping the whole room in charm
Level: Second
Area: 174.15
Dimensions: 12.90 x 13.50
Bedroom
Description: The third additional bedroom offers a decorative display shelf, storybook wallpaper, a chandelier and a closet
Level: Second
Area: 167.7
Dimensions: 12.90 x 13.00
Primary bathroom
Description: A spa-like primary bath of extraordinary scale features a vaulted ceiling, multiple skylights, and chandelier
Level: First
Area: 164.73
Dimensions: 9.50 x 17.34
Full bathroom
Description: The ensuite bath includes large-format tile flooring, a wood vanity with undermount sink, and a breathtaking gold-framed mirror
Level: First
Area: 60.35
Dimensions: 7.10 x 8.50
Half bathroom
Description: The guest powder bath is a show-stopping space wrapped in bold wallpaper
Level: First
Area: 27.44
Dimensions: 4.90 x 5.60
Full bathroom
Description: The full bath includes a pedestal sink, oval mirror, built-in medicine cabinet, beadboard wainscoting, sconce lighting and a garden-view window
Level: Second
Area: 63.9
Dimensions: 7.10 x 9.00
Dining room
Description: Lovingly restored, the room features wide plank hardwood floors, crown molding, chair rail detailing, and a chandelier overhead
Level: First
Area: 248.04
Dimensions: 20.67 x 12.00
Family room
Description: The recreation room is anchored by a gas fireplace with a full floor-to-ceiling rough-cut stone surround and a wood mantel, flanked on both sides by built-in shelving and cabinetry
Level: Basement
Area: 468.26
Dimensions: 26.50 x 17.67
Foyer
Description: The side foyer and entry hall serve as the connective hub of Tuliphurst's main level - linking the kitchen, the library, and the corridors that lead to the primary suite and beyond
Level: First
Area: 180
Dimensions: 18.00 x 10.00
Kitchen
Description: A gas cooktop is paired with a stunning custom range hood featuring ornate scrollwork detail, set against a cream and dark checkered tile backsplash
Level: First
Area: 138.38
Dimensions: 10.25 x 13.50
Library
Description: Hardwood floors, crown molding, recessed lighting, a ceiling fan, and large windows overlooking the grounds complete the space
Level: First
Area: 180
Dimensions: 10.00 x 18.00
Living room
Description: Beyond the vestibule, adjoining formal parlors offer an impressive introduction to Tuliphurst's historic elegance
Level: First
Area: 270
Dimensions: 15.00 x 18.00
Loft
Description: The upper level is accessed via the historic staircase and opens to a charming loft with carpet and dramatically angled roofline ceilings
Level: Second
Area: 200
Dimensions: 20.00 x 10.00
Mud room
Description: A practical and well-appointed space featuring tile flooring, crown molding, recessed lighting, and substantial built-in cabinetry pair with a built-in desk workspace
Level: First
Area: 141.06
Dimensions: 15.25 x 9.25
Study
Description: Beyond the vestibule, adjoining formal parlors offer an impressive introduction to Tuliphurst's historic elegance
Level: First
Area: 270
Dimensions: 15.00 x 18.00
Heating
Forced Air, Natural Gas, Other
Cooling
None, Central Air
Features
Basement: Finished
Number of fireplaces: 5
Interior area
Total structure area: 4,301
Total interior livable area: 4,803 sqft
Finished area above ground: 4,301
Finished area below ground: 502
Property
Parking
Total spaces: 2
Parking features: Attached
Attached garage spaces: 2
Features
Stories: 2
Patio & porch: Screened Porch, Patio
Lot
Size: 6 Acres
Details
Parcel number: 25PV.0604.412&15
Construction
Type & style
Home type: SingleFamily
Property subtype: Single Family Residence
Materials
Other, Wood Frame
Roof: Shingle
Condition
Year built: 1840
Utilities & green energy
Sewer: Septic Tank
Water: Public
Utilities for property: Electricity Connected, Natural Gas Connected
Community & HOA
Community
Subdivision: Tuliphurst
HOA
Has HOA: No
Location
Region: Pewee Valley
Financial & listing details
Price per square foot: $312/sqft
Tax assessed value: $500,000
Annual tax amount: $5,548
Date on market: 5/16/2026
Electric utility on property: Yes
Estimated market value
Zestimate®
$1,375,300
Estimated sales range
$1.31M - $1.44M
Rent Zestimate®
$4,822/mo
Price history
Date
Event
Price
5/16/2026
Listed for sale
$1,500,000+1415.2%$312/sqft
Source: Metro Search Inc. LLC DBA Apex MLS #1717648Report a problem