Whitehaven Welcome Center — Attraction in Paducah

In 1865, Edward Anderson built a two-story brick farmhouse. Typical of the construction methods at the time, the bricks were fired in a kiln on site.

While visiting the area in 1981, KY Governor John Y. Brown Jr. learned about the historic house on the side of the recently completed Interstate 24. Along with Secretary of Transportation Frank Metts, Brown decided the house would be the perfect location for a welcome center for southbound traffic from Illinois.

The state purchased the house and a small tract of land from the Paducah Junior College. The house was restored to its early 1900s glamour featuring a Greek Revival style. The kitchen wing at the back of the house was renovated to serve as the restrooms and welcome center. The second floor was converted into a museum displaying memorabilia of Vice President Alben Barkley, a Paducah native who served in the Truman administration from 1949 to 1953.

The original carriage house, storm shelter, and gazebo were also restored and repurposed for storage. Picnic tables were installed beneath a few trees near the carriage house. And an access ramp for southbound traffic was built directly to the welcome center.

On June 23, 1983, the Whitehaven Welcome Center was open, the only visitor center in the country located inside an...

We just visited this place now it looks beautiful on the outside, however the staff's behaviour could be much much better. We stopped for a short picnic and wanted to wash our hands somewhere. The building is closed for visitors and there is no restrooms available due to covid-19. We walked around the building to look for a water pump and I asked one of the employees, a mid aged guy with a black beard, who was working outside picking leaves, whether there's any water outside the building available. He said no. We continued looking for a water pump and found one in the picnic area off to the side. We went back to the employee to point it out to him that he should have told us about the water being available. He acted surprised and with an attitude. When I asked about his name, he said: None of your business! He also said that he is the manager of the property, which I highly doubt. It is unacceptable to treat people like this. This is his job to assist others especially in a place like this. His employment is paid by the taxes we all pay. Please make sure to watch who you hire to be stewards of...

So much history in this house. That house has been there well before that interstate was built. Did you know that Harry Truman's Vice President once owned this house. It was more of a vacation home back before that interstate was built on their property. This house was once a grand gathering of ball like dances where bands would play classical music off the front balcony and people would dance together on the front of the building. A long time ago. The last known living person moved out this home in 1964 and it become abandoned and in disrepair. In 1981 a restoration group came in and restored the building as best they could. The roof is just about original as can be with the design's. It's a great place to visit. Come on in and ask for a tour, the ladies are very knowledgeable...