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ABOUT  

The Prizing House

The Prizing House is a unique event destination, brimming with character and old-world details. The brick structure was originally built in 1917 as a tobacco prizing house. Located in Cynthiana, Kentucky within sight of the Licking River, the all-brick exterior of The Prizing House is complimented inside by tall exposed rafters and pillars, large chandeliers and a variety of remarkable details. 

 

Offering more than 5,000 square feet of space, The Prizing House can be configured to meet the needs of almost any group, including wedding receptions, business events, office parties, reunions and more.

THE BUILDING

This brick structure was originally built in 1917 as a tobacco prizing house. Situated near the Licking River in Cynthiana, Kentucky, this building has also been a roller 
skating rink, factory and storage space throughout the years...before being restored into this unique event space.

The towering antique double doors that mark the entrance to The Prizing House are sure to evoke thoughts of a grander era. These doors, crafted in 1857, were brought to The Prizing House from an elegant Federal-style home on Pike Street in Cynthiana.

THE DECOR

The two massive fireplace mantels are solid walnut, crafted in the early 1800s for two homes in Cynthiana. The rich walnut and cherry woodwork that accents the doors and many walls in The Prizing House was salvaged from old Cynthiana buildings being demolished.

Such details - rich in history - along with antique furnishing and attention to detail, add to the ambiance at The Prizing House.

THE SPACE

The expanse of hardwood flooring and tall ivory beams set the tone for any event at The Prizing House. With more than 5,000 square feet of event space, beautiful chandeliers, modern restrooms, available valet parking, and a wide variety of event rental items, the space inside The Prizing House easily accommodates groups of any size. 

 

From the elegant ambiance of the facility to the fabulous details and menus, your specialists and catering manager will work with you to make sure your event is spectacular...and stress-free. 

The History

This brick structure was originally built in 1917 as a tobacco prizing house. Situated near the Licking River in Cynthiana, Kentucky, this building has also been a roller skating rink, factory and storage space throughout the years...before being restored into this unique event space.

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What is a Prizing House?


A prizing house was traditionally a large space or warehouse where tobacco was "prized."  

 

The process of "prizing" tobacco occurred after the tobacco is cured. Then, it is moved from the curing barn into a storage area for processing. If whole plants were cut, the leaves are removed from the tobacco stalks in a process called stripping. For both cut and pulled tobacco, the leaves are then sorted into different grades. In earlier days, the tobacco "hands" were then prized into "hogsheads" for transportation. The hogsheads were regulated in size and structure to a standard, in order for the whole mass of prized tobacco to be readily seen and examined. The method of packing is to first place the tobacco hands or "ties" into a double row across the center of the hogshead, with the leaves of each row interlocking, so that the butt ends of the hands are outwards. Other rows are laid down in a similar manner, with smaller tobacco hands being employed for filling up crevices in order to make the layer even. The layers are alternately placed at right angles to each other until a certain height is reached, then pressure is applied to squeeze the whole tightly together.

 

Today, most cured tobacco is baled before sales are made under pre-sold contracts. Today, as an event space, The Prizing House still retains much of the old world charm from its days in the tobacco industry, featuring warm brick walls, exposed wooden 
beams and traditional hardwood floors.

Meet the Staff

The Prizing House is a family-owned business, co-owned and operated by mother-daughter duo, Nell Anne Gossett and Mandy Gossett-Thornton. Together, they have created a beautiful venue and magical experiences with the help of a talented staff.

GET IN TOUCH

We'd love to hear from you! Please send us a message or give us a call to learn more about events, availability, and pricing at The Prizing House or to set up a tour.

Tel: 859-235-0117  |  Email: info@theprizinghouse.com

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