Susan Perellis has been living on Spring Run Farm since she was 3 years old, but the land has been in her family since the 1790s. Today, she and her husband Jeff use the Prospect property to offer a variety of equine services as well as a little rest and relaxation in the log cabin turned bed and breakfast, dubbed The Inn at Spring Run Farm.
“The farm was a land grant from (Virginia governor) Patrick Henry to one of Colonel William Hardins’ three sons after the revolutionary war — probably while Kentucky was still part of Virginia,” Jeff said.
Historic Home
Log cabin bedroom suite at The Inn at Spring Run Farm in Prospect, Ky. on Apr. 23, 2025. The walls date back to the 1790’s.
The property’s original log cabin has gone through many changes over the years, including major renovations and the addition of a second cabin. Eventually joined by a breezeway, the two sides became a dogtrot-style house.
But when Susan was a child, the only indication that her family home was built from log cabins was a single exposed log area near the living room entrance.
“When they renovated it in the 1950s, Susan’s father made it into a colonial,” Jeff explained.
Foyer at The Inn at Spring Run Farm in Prospect, Ky. on Apr. 23, 2025.
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“My mom wanted a modern house, and I always wanted to live in a log cabin,” Susan added with a laugh.
Unbeknownst to her, she had been living in a log cabin all along. And when she and Jeff renovated the abode in 2016, they began uncovering bits of its earliest historic charm. They removed green carpet to expose the home’s original wood flooring, and pulled down plaster and 1950s paneling to reveal a few of the original log cabin walls.
These peeks into history are most noticeable in the first floor log cabin suite, located in a part of the house that was one of the original log cabins. It features a rustic bedroom with an original stone fireplace, with barn door access to a private bath.
While the Perellis’ maintained as much of the home’s historic charm as possible, they did make several updates to accommodate modern living. This included basic modifications like leveling out the floors.
Sun room at The Inn at Spring Run Farm in Prospect, Ky. on Apr. 23, 2025.
“When we started renovating,” Jeff recalled, “you could put a marble on the floor and it would go anywhere. We had to redo (all the) floors.”
They kept some of the floor joists, using a few beams to adorn the sunroom ceiling. The rest of the home’s decor is equally charming and rustic, and includes a variety of antique shop and flea market finds, as well as classic pieces that Susan and Jeff brought together when they married.
Hooves and heart
Susan Perellis and Peanut at the Spring Run Farm in Prospect, Ky. on Apr. 23, 2025.
As a lifetime resident of Spring Run Farm, Susan grew up showing, eventing, and fox hunting. She has won regional and national dressage championships, and is now a national clinician and national examiner for Pony Club.
Naturally, the farm is also home to about 70 horses, as it boasts five barns as well as hundreds of acres of trails and fields for riding. The resident horses include everything from dressage competitors to show jumpers.
One of the newest to join the bunch is Esperanto, a Dutch dressage horse. Susan is striving for gold with him at The United States Dressage Association’s Gran Prix.
Client at the Spring Run Farm in Prospect, Ky. on Apr. 23, 2025.
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“We call him Peanut, because he’s not very big,” she said with a chuckle.
Spring Run also features a large indoor arena, an outdoor jumping ring, an outdoor dressage ring, and a cross-country course that goes around the farm’s perimeter. The course includes a water jump and various obstacles for eventing competitions.
Rides and retreats
The water jump feature at Spring Run Farm in Prospect, Ky. on Apr. 23, 2025.
On any given day, Susan and the staff — affectionately dubbed the Perellis’ ‘horse farm family’ — can be found somewhere on the grounds, caring for the horses and the land, or offering lessons for guests and locals alike across disciplines including dressage, show jumping, and cross-country.
“A lot of times people (staying at The Inn) want to take a lesson on a horse,” Susan said. “One lady even brought her own boots and everything.”
Lessons are available for all levels and ages, and kids’ pony rides have even been offered for birthday parties.
Dining room at The Inn at Spring Run Farm in Prospect, Ky. on Apr. 23, 2025.
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Jeff has a restaurant background and also offers catering for any event guests wish to hold at The Inn. They’ve hosted everything from brunches and dinners to showers and wedding ceremonies.
“I’ve had a guy do his 85th birthday party here,” Jeff exclaimed, “and he had his 90th here, too. We’re waiting to do his 95th!”
Whether guests come to enjoy the property, equine activities, or both, Susan is happy to share her family home.
“It’s been the center of our family for generations,” she said, “and it’s not fancy …. but it’s really well run, clean, and a great atmosphere to learn and enjoy.”
Know a house that would make a great Home of the Week? Email writer Lennie Omalza at aloha@lennieomalza.com or Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory at kgregory@gannett.com.
nuts & bolts
Owners: Susan and Jeff Perellis. Susan is the owner of Spring Run Farm as well as a horse trainer and coach. Jeff is a realtor and innkeeper.
Home: This is a five-bed, four-and-a-half-bath, 3,600-square-foot, colonial farmhouse in Oldham County. It was originally built in 1790, then renovated in 1917, 1957, and 2016.
Distinctive elements: Log cabin bedroom and log cabin living room; original stone fireplaces; modern amenities and appliances.
Applause! Applause! Contractors Greg McCurry of Reworx Construction and Chad Peyton of Peyton Contracting; architect Chip Mcguire; subcontractors Prudential HVAC, Hornback Plumbing, Riverside Electric Services, Star Drywall, Louisville Blinds, and Joe Dawson for the restoration of cabins, patio design, and stonework; Laurie Mcguire and Liz Monteleone for design elements.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Explore The Inn at Spring Run Farm in Prospect, Kentucky