Beth Caffery, curator of collections of Liberty Hall Historic Site, reported that on Friday, August 14, two miniature portraits were discovered to be missing.
Liberty Hall consists of two historic homes: Liberty Hall, 1796, built by John Brown, one of Kentucky’s first United States senators, and the Orlando Brown House, 1835, owned by Senator Brown’s second son. The portraits were stolen from Liberty Hall.
The stolen miniature portraits are of John Brown and Margaretta Brown, circa 1800, and are painted on ivory. The portrait of John Brown shows him in a black coat and white ruffled shirt. Framed in brass, it is 1½ by 2½ inches, and is attributed to Robert Field.
The miniature portrait of Margaretta Brown shows her in an empire waist dress with a dark blue sash. Framed in brass, it is 2 by 3 inches and is signed “PH 1800” on lower right; it is attributed to Pierre Henri.
Anyone with information about these portraits should call the Frankfort Police Department, attention Jonathan Presley, at 502-875-8523, or Liberty Hall Historic Site.
Liberty Hall Historic Site is at 202 Wilkinson Street. For information, 502-227-2560, curator@libertyhall.org or www.libertyhall.org .
