Historic Louisville estate · Established 1817

Celebrated as guests, welcomed as family

At Ridgeway, we believe every story deserves a home.

Built circa 1817 on over 400 acres of Kentucky bluegrass, Ridgeway stands as one of the finest surviving examples of Federal domestic architecture in America—listed on the National Register of Historic Places, featured in many landmark writings and documented by the Library of Congress’s Historic American Buildings Survey.

For over two centuries, this estate has been a place of gathering. From elegant multi-course dinners to intimate candlelit ceremonies under the Hornbeam to lavish weddings and receptions, celebration is woven into the very fabric of this house.

In 1977, Ben and Carole Birkhead fell in love at first sight. Over forty years, they meticulously restored every detail. Today, their four daughters and their families are proud to continue that legacy with this vision:

To serve as dedicated stewards of Ridgeway’s past, present, and future, opening our doors to welcome guests with care while ensuring Ridgeway remains a vibrant landmark for generations to come.

Explore Ridgeway’s Story

Our mission

Guided by a spirit of stewardship, our mission is to honor our parents’ legacy by preserving and relishing the history, craftsmanship, and traditions of Ridgeway. We are dedicated to the meticulous work of maintaining the home’s character and the splendor of its grounds. We believe our family home is more than a structure; it is a landmark that grows more beautiful with every story told within its walls.

By translating our family’s history into hospitality, we ensure that a deep appreciation of Ridgeway continues to thrive. Our mission is to sustain this living history for generations to come, honoring the past while creating a setting where new stories begin. By opening our doors, we invite others to step into the heart of our history, to learn from its past, and create their own.

Through quality, integrity and care, we strive to bring people together to celebrate and connect, sharing the hope that our guests will fall in love with this place as we have. Our promise is a distinguished experience where our past meets your future, curated with a level of care that ensures you are celebrated as guests and welcomed as family.