A voice for religious liberty
Born in Virginia in 1741, Tribble preached at a time when Baptist dissenters faced persecution. J. H. Spencer’s history records his imprisonment for preaching contrary to law.
RICHMOND, KENTUCKY · EST. 1794
A house full
of history.
A place to gather.
Step into the story of a Kentucky pioneer, a remarkable log house, and the people who keep its history alive.
HISTORIC LOG HOUSESTORIES & PERFORMANCESCOMMUNITY GATHERINGS
COME BE PART OF THE STORY
Special events at
the Old Parsonage
Join the Rev. Dr. Rusty Rechenbach for programs that bring history to life. Call for reservations and the latest visiting arrangements.
Past programs
Schedules may change. Follow the Old Parsonage on Facebook for announcements and additional events.
MORE THAN TWO CENTURIES OF STORIES
Old logs.
Enduring hospitality.
Dating to 1794 in local histories, the Old Parsonage began as the home of Baptist preacher Andrew Tribble and his family. Its story stretches from early Kentucky settlement to family celebrations, preservation, and a new life as a gathering place.
Moved from its original location by Nathan Amster, the building became Boone’s Trading Post before its later restoration. Today, the parsonage continues to welcome people through history programs and special occasions.
Follow the house through time →THE MAN BEHIND THE NAME
Andrew Tribble
Faith. Freedom. Community.
A pioneer Baptist minister whose life connected religious dissent in Virginia with the building of congregations in Kentucky.
A Kentucky ministry
Spencer places Tribble’s move to Kentucky in 1783 and the formation of his Tates Creek congregation in 1786. His ministry helped shape the religious life of the region.
A lasting family story
Andrew and Sarah “Sally” Burrus raised a large family. Their son Peter also became a Baptist preacher. The parsonage preserves a setting for exploring those intertwined lives.
Thomas Jefferson and Tribble’s congregation
The parsonage’s interpretation connects Tribble’s Albemarle County ministry with Thomas Jefferson and the congregation’s democratic practices. An account published in 1826 describes Jefferson’s admiration for its church government. Monticello’s historians have not located contemporary documentation confirming their personal relationship. The story remains an important subject for examining historical accounts and the parsonage’s research.
Read Monticello’s assessment →A HOUSE WITH A JOURNEY
Then, now, and still unfolding.
The story begins
Andrew Tribble is born in Virginia.
Building community
Tribble gathers his Tates Creek congregation in Kentucky.
A family home
The traditional construction date of the log parsonage.
A new setting
Nathan Amster relocates the house and operates Boone’s Trading Post.
History lives here
Restoration, storytelling, performances, and community gatherings.
THE WIDER STORY
A legacy with many voices.
From the pulpit to the stage
Black vaudeville performer Andrew “Andy” Tribble, reported in later biographies as a descendant of the preacher, performed with his brother Amos and with comedian Tim Moore.
Moore later played Kingfish on television’s Amos ’n’ Andy. A tradition links the Tribble brothers to the show’s name, although that proposed inspiration is not established.
Explore the performer’s local legacy →Remembering enslaved lives
The history of religious freedom must also make room for the people denied freedom. Notre Dame’s archives describe an 1830 Tribble estate sale document listing twelve enslaved people sold.
Their lives are part of this history. The archival record is a starting point for learning their names, families, and experiences.
Explore the archival record →GATHERED THROUGH GENERATIONS
Stories worth sitting down for.
Family celebrations, local memories, and seasonal storytelling all belong to the parsonage’s continuing life. Folklore and ghost stories are shared as storytelling traditions, distinct from documented history.
YOUR NEXT CHAPTER STARTS HERE
Come for the history.
Stay for the stories.
Contact the Rev. Dr. Rusty Rechenbach about special events, visiting the house, or arranging a gathering.
Call (859) 358-8427 ↗The Old Parsonage
of Andrew Tribble
2191 Boonesborough Road
Richmond, Kentucky 40475
Please contact us before traveling to confirm visiting times and event arrangements.
Email the parsonage ↗Get directions ↗Explore our historical sources & photo credits
This introduction draws on local histories, institutional records, and the sources below. Some dates and family relationships differ between accounts.
- J. H. Spencer: Andrew Tribble biography (1885)
- Richmond Kentucky Tourism: the Old Parsonage
- Monticello: Andrew Tribble and the Jefferson account
- Notre Dame: 1830 estate sale catalog
- Old Parsonage Facebook: photography and event announcements
- Kentucky Humanities: September 13 program
House and event images from Richmond Kentucky Tourism and the Old Parsonage’s Facebook page, used with permission provided by the site owner’s representative.