Mallard Hall over the years
This historic estate is one of the oldest homesteads in Shelby County, KY.
The original farm included over 3,000 acres. It was located on the main thoroughfare from Frankfort, KY to Louisville, KY, where settlers, civil war soldiers and Native Indian tribes frequently traveled. The property is rich in history and has a storied past, including ties to battles during the civil war era as well as the underground railroad.
Becoming a Piece of History | 1790
While research has proved inconclusive in determining a definite date of construction, original ownership is attributed to John Hume, who is said to have built the home around 1790. Over the years, the estate changed hands several times. In 1934, records indicate that Lawrence B. Bischof purchased the home and maintained ownership until its eventual nomination and listing on the National Historic Registry in the 1970’s where it became known as the Hume-Bischof house.
Per the National Register, the Hume-Bischof house is a significant and important example of early nineteenth century Federal style architecture. Its fine details such as chair rails, pegged doors, handsome mantels and stairway, and a large fanlight window, which still exist today, give it an extra measure of elegance and historical significance.
The Brentlawn Raceway | 1947
Through the 1940s and 50s the farmhouse began to gain prominence. In 1947, a noteworthy harness racing track was constructed across Shelbyville Road on the property that was once part of Hume-Bischoff estate. Brentlawn race track held its grand opening in 1947, and Kentucky Governor, Simeon Willis was hosted at the Hume-Bischof house before attending the event.
Enter Saddlebreds | 1980
In 1980, the estate was purchased by the Greenburg family. Records indicate they undertook the monumental task of moving the historic home 100 yards back from Shelbyville Road via train tracks. The family then added approximately 7000 sq. ft. to the existing footprint.
The Greenburgs built a private, luxurious homestead, and eventually erected state of the art training centers for their award-winning National Champion Saddlebred horses. One of the families most beloved and notable horses, was a 3 gaited Saddlebred mare named New Estate. Under the guidance of legendary World Championship Saddlebred Hall of Fame horse trainer, Don Harris, New Estate earned the National Championship title in 1979 – 1980. Her success became the genesis for the farm name — New Estate Farm. The iconic 7 ft. x 7 ft. custom etched glass windows that flank the stone fireplace in the great room serve as a tribute to this amazing horse.
Change Again | 1997
The exterior of the property was protected by a massive 750 ft. brick wall with access through 2 sets of iron gates. On the 2-acre pond was a miniature replica of the house to serve as a residence for local ducks. This structure was a recognizable attribute to the estate and was long admired by local residents. Although the original duck house could not be salvaged, a newly constructed replica now sits in the pond, and became the basis for the estate’s new name, Mallard Hall. The Greenburgs sold the estate in 1997 and although attempts were made to bring this iconic property back to life, none proved successful. Over the years, it fell into a state of disrepair, and it remained vacant for over 10 years.
A Labor of Love Begins | 2020
One day in Oct of 2020, Annette Vitale noticed a “for Sale” and “open House tonight“ sign in front of the property. This really piqued her interest as she had been driving by the property for many years with an interest in it. During the open house, she quickly recognized the rich historical significance and potential this magnificent property had (even amongst all the debris and disrepair the property endured over the years). The realtor let Annette know there were numerous offers on the property; some with an intention to tear down the house and build a subdivision on the property. With her offer, Annette included a letter to the owner to let her know of her intentions to restore the estate to its original and well-deserved grandeur. Thankfully, this spoke to her, and thus began a 3-year labor of love.
Mallard Hall Opens Its Doors| 2024
Throughout the renovation, staying connected to the property’s past was always front of mind for Annette, and it was both a challenge and a creative opportunity to ensure the integrity of its rich history and vast transition over the past 200 years. You will see glimpses of these connections throughout the home. And while we worked hard to maintain the historical charm of the home, we spared no expense in adding luxurious, modern details geared toward elevating our guest’s experience and exceeding their expectations.
100 Years Apart
