Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

As the historical home of county namesake and former Kentucky Governor James Clark (1779-1839), Holly Rood – located at 28 Beckner Street – has long been decorated by artistry, antiques and more. 

Another item was recently added to the collection. 

A new painting of Judith Campbell Clark Bright, daughter of former Governor Clark, measuring approximately 24-inches long and 28-inches high will now hang just inside the front doors. 

It replaces the spot of a smaller painting which also depicted Bright, although that painting will still be on display. 

“I personally think it was [painted] sometime between [when Bright was] 15 and 18 years old,” said Debbie Barnes, curator at Holly Rood. “It’s been interesting.” 

Bright (1820-1855) was born and spent many years in Clark County. 

She later moved to Frankfort to serve as First Lady following the deaths of both her mother and stepmother. 

After marrying in 1841, she moved to Fayetteville, Tennessee, and spent many of her remaining years there. 

Steve Justice, president of the Clark County-Winchester Heritage Commission, read aloud from an obituary describing Clark. 

“She possessed a very high degree of all those qualities which render a woman so lovely,” he read. 

The historical painting’s artist – while professionally done – remains somewhat of a mystery. 

“At that time….there were two or three local artists here in Clark County that did do paintings,” Barnes said. “James Clark, who was a very prominent person even at that time before he was Governor, would have got one of them to [paint] her.” 

The contribution to Holly Rood comes courtesy of another Judith. 

Judith Bright Haskell McCarthy of Fort Lauderdale, FL, a distant relative of Clark’s, was in possession of it and was looking for a way to contribute it for historical purposes. 

Upon hearing of Holly Rood, it didn’t take long to decide where the painting would go. 

“I can’t begin to tell you just the warm feeling of knowing she is home. She is home in Holly Rood. She is home in Kentucky,” said McCarthy. “It was a journey…it’s been an absolute joy just talking with everybody there and getting her to the old governor’s mansion.” 

Sam Devine, a special assistant to Historic Properties of Frankfort, delivered the painting. 

“It’s a state agency. We oversee five properties,” Devine said. 

He added positive words about Holly Rood, who will continue to showcase Winchester’s best and brightest. 

“This organization has done an outstanding job,” he said.