Winchester, Kentucky – A new historical painting of Judith Campbell Clark Bright, daughter of former Kentucky Governor James Clark, has been unveiled at Holly Rood, located at 28 Beckner Street. This unveiling took place on Friday, October 11, 2024.
The painting, measuring approximately 24 inches long and 28 inches high, will now welcome visitors just inside the front doors of Holly Rood. This new addition replaces a smaller painting of Bright, which will remain on display as part of the collection.
Debbie Barnes, curator at Holly Rood, shared her insights about the painting, suggesting it was likely created when Bright was between the ages of 15 and 18. “It’s been interesting,” she noted, emphasizing the significance of the piece.
Judith Campbell Clark Bright (1820-1855) was born and raised in Clark County before moving to Frankfort, where she served as First Lady after the deaths of both her mother and stepmother. In 1841, she married and relocated to Fayetteville, Tennessee, where she spent much of her remaining life.
During the unveiling ceremony, Steve Justice, president of the Clark County-Winchester Heritage Commission, read an obituary that praised Bright’s character. “She possessed a very high degree of all those qualities which render a woman so lovely,” Justice quoted.
The origin of the painting remains somewhat mysterious, with local artists in Clark County likely commissioned for works during Bright’s youth. Barnes stated, “James Clark, who was a very prominent person even at that time, would have got one of them to paint her.”
This significant contribution to Holly Rood comes from Judith Bright Haskell McCarthy of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a distant relative of Governor Clark. After learning about Holly Rood, she felt compelled to donate the painting for historical preservation, expressing her joy in knowing “she is home in Holly Rood. She is home in Kentucky.”
Along with McCarthy, Sam Devine, a special assistant to Historic Properties of Frankfort, was present for the painting’s delivery. Devine praised Holly Rood’s efforts in preserving local history, declaring, “This organization has done an outstanding job.”
The addition of Bright’s painting continues Holly Rood’s legacy as a key historical site, showcasing the rich heritage of Clark County and its notable figures.
