Danville (pop. 15,000) was founded in 1775 and was the capital of the Kentucky District of Virginia for many years. Many landmark structures are found in the town including Kentucky's first college, a school for the deaf, law school, log cabin courthouse as well as the first post office west of the Allegheny Mountains.
Between 1784 and 1792, ten constitutional conventions took place at the courthouse of Constitution Square in Danville. On June 1, 1792, Kentucky became the fifteenth state in the union. Replicas of the courthouse, jail and meetinghouse are located within the square.
The Danville home of Dr Ephraim McDowell, a pioneer surgeon, has been restored and furnished to its early 19th C appearance. Dr McDowell's apothecary shop is located next door.
Hours:
March 2 to October 31: 10am-12pm, 1pm-4pm; Sun:10am-12pm, 2pm-4pm
November 1 to March 1: 10am-12pm, 1pm-4pm; Sun:10am-12pm, 2pm-4pm; Closed: Mon
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Easter - Christian
The Pioneer Playhouse in Danville was founded in 1950. It was an empty field turned into a theatre complex. The unconventional, hand-built theatre serves a pre-show dinner out of doors and a live performance Tuesday through Saturday.