Duncan Tavern, a three story stone tavern, was built
in 1788 by Major Joseph Duncan four years before Kentucky received her
statehood. In 1785, Bourbon County was one of the original counties of Kentucky
while it was still part of Virginia. Thirty-three counties were eventually
carved out of Bourbon County, but Paris was always the county seat. When men had
legal business to attend to, Paris, or Hopewell as it was originally known, was
the place to go. Duncan Tavern was very close to the county court house, and was
a convenient place to stay. It was a gathering place for such pioneers as Daniel
Boone, Simon Kenton, Peter Houston, and Michael Stoner.
It has been in continuous use as a tavern, a boarding house, a low rate
apartment house, and is now the official headquarters of the Kentucky Society of
the Daughters of the American Revolution. The Tavern and the Anne Duncan house,
built c. 1801, are furnished with rare antiques, nothing later than 1860.
Visitors may walk through the rooms, and enjoy the architecture and the
furniture and the warm feeling of early Bourbon County history. The third floor,
which was originally a ballroom, is now a museum with many interesting items,
including “Sweet Lips,” the long rifle of Michael Stoner.
