The Bryan House opens to guests
Published 4:40 pm Thursday, July 16, 2020
The Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting last Thursday to mark the grand opening of The Bryan House on Harrodsburg Road near Wilmore. The owners, Jeb and Jennifer Rand, shown cutting the ribbon with their daughters, Hayden, 12, and Mackenzie, 10, were world class figure skaters with U.S. Figure Skating and were part of the Radio City Rockettes on Broadway. The mansion dates back to about 1830 and is historically significant. It is now a bed and breakfast and events venue. (Submitted photo)
The swimming pool at the Bryan House is an attraction for families who can't go to public pools or hotel swimming pools this summer because of the threat of the coronavirus. (Submitted photo)
Jeb and Jennifer Rand promoted their new bed and breakfast, The Bryan House, by driving their 1927 Cadillac in Wilmore's Fourth of July Parade. The car was in the movie "The Eddy Duchin Story," starring Kim Novak and Tyrone Power. Jeb is a classic car collector.
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Jeb and Jennifer Rand know something about entertainment.
The couple, who recently moved to Jessamine County, were U.S. Figure Skating national team members, Radio City Music Hall Rockettes and were part of Ice Capades and Disney on Ice.
Now Jeb is a writer and producer for entertainment around the world. But the Rands’ old Kentucky home is a circa 1830 mansion, The Bryan House, where they plan to do more entertaining.
The couple live there with their daughters Hayden, 12, and Mackenzie, 10. They bought the house to be a bed and breakfast and a venue for events such as weddings, corporate functions and family gatherings.
Last Thursday, they celebrated the grand opening with a Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Jeb Rand said they were ready to open the house to guests in March and had numerous events scheduled throughout the year, but the coronavirus pandemic delayed their business plans. This summer, though, they have had visitors from as far away as Chicago and Washington, D.C., who have come for a safe “staycation.”
It’s about 80 percent booked through September, Rand said.
When the virus is under control, he and Jennifer expect their B&B to be an ideal place for tourists to visit Shaker Village, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail distilleries, Keeneland, thoroughbred farms, wineries and other attractions.
“It’s really a piece of Southern hospitality in country paradise, and it’s of some historical relevance,” he said.
The house was owned by relatives of Daniel Boone’s wife, Rebecca Bryan Boone, who were also related to the owners of Waveland. And during the Civil War, including the Battle of Perryville, it was used as a field hospital for troops of both sides, Rand said.
The large brick mansion has 12 acres, a swimming pool, two barns, and Rand’s classic cars, including a 1927 Cadillac that was in the film “The Eddy Duchin Story.” He thinks the car will be a good addition to weddings at the estate.
More information about The Bryan House is available on their website, www.thebryanhouseky.com.
About Randy Patrick
Randy Patrick is a reporter for Bluegrass Newsmedia, which includes The Jessamine Journal. He may be reached at 859-759-0015 or by email at randy.patrick@bluegrassnewsmedia.com.
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