Serving as the seat of Hardin County, Elizabethtown is a historic city south of Louisville, Kentucky. It was named after the wife of Colonel Andrew Hynes, who played an important role in the formation of the initial Constitution of Kentucky. Today, the city is known affectionately as “E-town”.
Things to do in Elizabethtown
In the heart of Elizabethtown is the Hardin County History Museum, which explores the history of the area from its early Native American inhabitants to the modern day. Its exhibits include pioneer relics and a general store from the turn of the 20th century, as well as displays about Hardin County’s military past and its links to Abraham Lincoln’s father, Thomas.
Across the road from the Hardin County History Museum is the Kentucky Basketball Hall of Fame, which showcases the high school talent that has come out of the state. It displays memorabilia and photographs of players from days gone by and celebrates the achievements of recent inductees. The museum is themed around the “Essence of the Game” and the invaluable life lessons that basketball teaches.
A short stroll away is Brown-Pusey House, a historic residence that was built in 1825 in a combination of Georgian and Federal architectural styles. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it houses a small museum detailing the famous faces who once visited the home, including the “Swedish nightingale”, Jenny Lind. Take time to explore the beautifully landscaped garden at the rear of the property.
Getting around Elizabethtown
Elizabethtown is around 45 minutes’ drive from Louisville and 40 minutes from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the United States. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting to Elizabethtown and exploring the city.