Situated on a 1-acre wooded yet manicured lot at 320 Maple Avenue in the heart of Owensboro is a 175-year-old home with quite a story to tell. John and Cecilia Medley, of the Medley bourbon dynasty, purchased the house in 1949, and it’s remained in the family ever since.
The Medleys’ granddaughter Jeanne McNulty Clark and her husband Greg own the home and have decided it’s time to sell. Initially reluctant to sell it outside of the family, Jeanne Clark said no family members were interested, and it was simply time.
“This home holds so many special memories. We celebrated so many holidays and special events. My parents’ wedding receptions were here, as well as ours and our daughter’s, among others,” Jeanne Clark said. “Growing up, I loved being here with my cousins, having sleepovers, and spending endless hours playing and running in the yard and around the house.”
The Medley bourbon tradition dates back to the 1600s when John Medley, like many English Catholics, settled in Maryland, bringing a still with him. Fast forward a couple of centuries, and John Medley VI transported the family business to Washington County, Kentucky, where he began distilling whiskey in 1800.
The family continued that operation for many years after his death, evolving and expanding many times. After working for his grandfather for several years in the late 1800s, George Medley purchased the Daviess County Distillery in 1901 and moved the distilling tradition to Owensboro.
George’s son Thomas helped the business survive a fire and prohibition by selling bottles of whiskey to the American Medicinal Spirits Company, eventually reopening the distillery with his five sons Ben, Edwin, Wathen, Tom, and John — who first called Maple Avenue home.
John and his wife Cecilia first lived in the home shortly after their marriage in the 1930s, when it served as a boarding house. Amazed by its promise, they bought it and worked diligently to preserve its legacy, as have the generations of Medleys to follow.
Thomas eventually sold to Fleischmann’s Distilling Company, but the brothers remained steadfast in preserving the family legacy. They formed Medley Distilling Company with their flagship Medley Bros. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey in 1940.
With the brothers passing away, the distillery changed hands several times in the ’80s and ’90s before Charles Medley raised enough funds to reclaim the distillery in 1995. The Medley bourbon tradition continues through several brands, while the distillery is now home to Green River Distilling.
With Green River and Owensboro now a mainstay on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, the home offers a plethora of opportunities — from a primary residence or Airbnb to a bed and breakfast or museum.
“Given the deep experience our brokerage has with the luxury home market in the Greater Owensboro Area, I can say this historic estate truly provides one of the most unique settings,” said Realtor Blake Hayden. “Its extensive updates combined with the rich history of the Medley family in Owensboro makes the quality of this property truly unmatched in our area.”
He added, “You’d be hard-pressed to find another residence in town that lends itself to the potential of both a luxury home and a historic icon ripe for molding into a must-see for Kentucky Bourbon enthusiasts.”
With many amenities and updates throughout, the home features six bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms, formal living and dining rooms, a large kitchen and breakfast room, a family room, a recreational room, a playroom, a mud room, a large storage room, and an unfinished basement.
The outdoor area includes four covered porches, a detached barn, ample parking, and more. Despite its central location, mature trees, shrubs, and a privacy wall create a serene setting, which has played host to some large-scale weddings.
As Clark’s grandmother began to age, she always enjoyed bringing her children to play and roam while visiting her, often sitting on the enormous front porch and listening to stories.
“In the last 10 years that we have had the home, we’ve loved watching our own grandchildren explore the yard and home, bringing back memories of when I was a child,” she said. “Having nearly a full acre of property in the middle of town provides so much room for play as well as privacy.”
The Blake Hayden Group has the home listed for $795,000. For more information, access the listing here.
