William Forst House
Encyclopedia
The William Forst House, also known as the Clark House and the First-Clark House, is a historic house located in the Russellville Historic District of Russellville, Kentucky
. Built in 1820, it made history between November 18 and 20, 1861, as the site where the Confederate government of Kentucky
was formed. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places
since July 19, 1973.
. It presently has ten interior rooms. When first built, there were only five rooms and a 20 feet (6.1 m) hall. These were three 20 by 20 ft (6.1 by 6.1 m) rooms and hall on the first floor, and on the second floor a 60 by 20 ft (18.3 by 6.1 m) ballroom
and another 20 by 20 ft (6.1 by 6.1 m) room. As there were still fears of Indian
attacks when the structure was built, there are no windows on the side of the building.
The property has seen various changes over the years. In 1890 the interior staircase was replaced. The original kitchen, servant's quarters, and white-column front porch are long gone. A double-brick stairplace takes the place of the porch. In 1964 additions were added for the continued use of the Clark family.
believed to be a cabinetmaker. He built the home to show his expertise in millwork and mantels. In November 1861, the Confederate Sovereignty Committee met at the house. Its 116 delegates from 65 Kentucky counties voted to secede from the Union, although the state capital at Frankfort, Kentucky
was still in existence and chose to stay in the Union. Before leaving the home, George W. Johnson was elected by the delegates as the Confederate governor of Kentucky.
From 1922 to 1942 it was used as a funeral home, under the ownership of Wister C. Clark. His widow turned the ballroom into apartments in 1960, and the bottom floor used as a law office for her son and his law partner.
Russellville, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,149 people, 3,064 households, and 1,973 families residing in the city. The population density was 672.1 people per square mile . There were 3,458 housing units at an average density of 325.1 per square mile...
. Built in 1820, it made history between November 18 and 20, 1861, as the site where the Confederate government of Kentucky
Confederate government of Kentucky
The Confederate government of Kentucky was a shadow government established for the Commonwealth of Kentucky by a self-constituted group of Confederate sympathizers during the American Civil War. The shadow government never replaced the elected government in Frankfort, which had strong Union...
was formed. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
since July 19, 1973.
Description
The House is a two-story, five-bay, Federal style building made of brickBrick
A brick is a block of ceramic material used in masonry construction, usually laid using various kinds of mortar. It has been regarded as one of the longest lasting and strongest building materials used throughout history.-History:...
. It presently has ten interior rooms. When first built, there were only five rooms and a 20 feet (6.1 m) hall. These were three 20 by 20 ft (6.1 by 6.1 m) rooms and hall on the first floor, and on the second floor a 60 by 20 ft (18.3 by 6.1 m) ballroom
Ballroom
A ballroom is a large room inside a building, the designated purpose of which is holding formal dances called balls. Traditionally, most balls were held in private residences; many mansions contain one or more ballrooms...
and another 20 by 20 ft (6.1 by 6.1 m) room. As there were still fears of Indian
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
attacks when the structure was built, there are no windows on the side of the building.
The property has seen various changes over the years. In 1890 the interior staircase was replaced. The original kitchen, servant's quarters, and white-column front porch are long gone. A double-brick stairplace takes the place of the porch. In 1964 additions were added for the continued use of the Clark family.
History
The structure was built in 1820 by William First, later having his name altered to Forst, an immigrant from EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
believed to be a cabinetmaker. He built the home to show his expertise in millwork and mantels. In November 1861, the Confederate Sovereignty Committee met at the house. Its 116 delegates from 65 Kentucky counties voted to secede from the Union, although the state capital at Frankfort, Kentucky
Frankfort, Kentucky
Frankfort is a city in Kentucky that serves as the state capital and the county seat of Franklin County. The population was 27,741 at the 2000 census; by population it is the 5th smallest state capital in the United States...
was still in existence and chose to stay in the Union. Before leaving the home, George W. Johnson was elected by the delegates as the Confederate governor of Kentucky.
From 1922 to 1942 it was used as a funeral home, under the ownership of Wister C. Clark. His widow turned the ballroom into apartments in 1960, and the bottom floor used as a law office for her son and his law partner.