Wolf Pen Branch Mill Farm

Location: Jefferson County

Acres: 412

Features of the Farm: The property is a mid-nineteenth century farm. It includes the Wolf Pen Branch Mill, which was listed on the National Register of Historic places in 1978.

Significant features include waterfalls, wetlands, streams, historic structures, rolling topography, and a federally endangered plant species.

Major habitat types found on the farm include rock outcrops, cliffs, and bluffs; upland forest; rich moist woods; streamside and floodplain; pastures, meadows, and old fields; and historic hayfields, streamside woodlands, and grazed woodland.

Historic structures on the farm include the gate house (c. 1900), the mill pond (c. 1830), the mill pond dam (c.  1830), the mill (c. 1875), and the miller’s house (c. 1875 and c. 1930).

The Kentucky Foundation for Women operates a retreat center called Hopscotch House on 6 acres of the farm.

Features of the Easement: The easement is co-held by River Fields and the Kentucky Heritage Council, the state's historic preservation agency. The easement contains a Mill Area, a Cultural Resources Area, a Dwelling Area, Farmland Areas, and Forest Areas. The property shall never be subdivided or developed. All structures in the Mill Area (except the gazebo) must be maintained in accordance with the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Preservation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings.

Video of Easement Announcement