The Smokehouse and Coach Wing
The construction date of the central smokehouse is unknown, but it was probably built during Henry Clay's lifetime. 
You can still see the rafters
where the prize country hams once hung while a slow fire provided the smoke to preserve
and flavor them. The openings near the top would draw the smoke up and out. The adjacent wings,
one of which houses a coach given to Henry Clay by the citizens of Newark in 1833, were built later, but prior to 1882.
Henry Clay's Coach
Passage from The History of Newark, New Jersey, 1878
The renowned orator and statesman, Henry Clay, visited Newark on November
20, 1833, by invitation of leading citizens. Because of
his powerful and effective championship of the Protective
system, Mr. Clay was a great favorite here. A committee waited upon him in New York and
escorted him hither. As in the case of Lafayette, the distinguished visitor was met on the
Turnpike about two miles from Newark, by a "large cavalcade of citizens, mounted and
in carriages." At the Park House, fronting on Military Park, an immense concourse
assembled to welcome "glorious Harry of the Slashes." In response to the formal
welcome pronounced for the citizens by Amzi Dodd, Mr. Clay made a brief but eloquent
reply. He was then presented to the leading citizens and escorted through the principal
factories of the town. At Rankin's hat manufactory he was presented by the workmen with a
handsome beaver hat.... At Smith and Wright's saddlery manufactory he was presented with a
"superb saddle, bridle and trappings" by the proprietors and workingmen ... He
was asked to accept "these memorials from those who are indebted to your liberality
and enlarged policy of protecting the domestic industry of our country. They are not
decorated with the glittering tinsel which would gratify the eye of royalty, but we
cherish the conviction that they will nevertheless be a pleasing offering to a plain,
honest hearted Republican." Clay was addressed with warmest admiration for his
character, talents and important public services and was begged to accept as a token of
regard for his "highly respected lady," the splendid Newark-made carriage in
which he had ridden from Newark to New York. Mr. Clay was deeply moved at this fresh and
most substantial proof of Newark appreciation. In broken accents, his voice tremulous with
emotion, he replied:
"Gentlemen, you overwhelm me. I know not how to refuse, and yet may I
be permitted - (the company here interrupted him by dissent), I assure you, gentleman, I
know not why it is that one so undeserving as myself should be so loaded with such marks
of your esteem and generosity. I know nothing in my humble services deserving a return so
splendid and so costly; it comes so unexpected. Gentlemen, my heart is too much
overwhelmed, - the citizens of Newark have made upon it such an impression; IT can thank
you, but tongue cannot. Repleased, sir, to accept in behalf of yourself and your fellow
townsmen, my warmest thanks for this elegant present to my wife."
Clay brought the carriage home to Ashland where his 
family used it in
their travels for many years. It has also been reported that Clay traveled to Washington
in this coach. The coach remained at Ashland until 1874 when it was displayed at an exposition in Louisville and later purchased by Jacob
Edinger, a Louisville carriage maker. It remained in Louisville until 1951 when George
Edinger, a descendant of Jacob Edinger, gave the carriage to the Henry Clay Memorial
Foundation. The coach was in bad condition, having survived two fires between 1874 and
1951. It was restored by generous donors in 1951 and again in 1991.
The stately C-spring coach, weighing approximately 
1,500 pounds,
remains on exhibit at Ashland in the east wing of the smoke house. The exterior is a
glistening black, and the interior is pine paneled with a rich wine
color upholstery. The cab, slung on its still-flexible, leather-filled C-springs, can
accommodate four passengers. The driver would sit in the front guiding as many as six
horses and the footman would ride in the rear of the cab. A baggage compartment, the
"boot," is in the back where a deerskin covered trunk was usually carried.
Folding steps extend from the high cab to within a foot of the ground and the covering for
the windows could be rolled up or down. The coach has oversized, red-spoked wheels with
the original brass hubs, and the interior is pine paneled. Missing are the two ornate coach
lamps which were mounted on the front of the cab.
Ice Houses and Dairy Cellar
These outbuildings, dating from around 1830, were part of Henry and
Lucretia Hart Clay’s dairy operation.
The two brick ice houses are on the south side of the house. They are
sixteen feet into the ground and topped with conical roofs. Clay mentions constructing
"a new conical ice house" in a letter to Henry, Jr. dated October 31,
1830. These outbuildings provided the rare luxury of chilled food and drink year round.
In an 1842 letter to his wife, Henry Clay wrote "The winter has been
so mild here, that they have no ice. I am afraid that you have not been able to fill our
Houses. If there should fall a snow, I would advise the Houses to be filled with that, and
have it well rammed in..."
During the winter a layer of straw or sawdust insulated the base and sides of the icehouses. They were then filled with large cakes of ice and covered with another layer of straw or sawdust. As the ice melted it consolidated into one large mass, helping to preserve it. Melting ice water drained from the ice houses through a lead pipe to a trough in the adjacent dairy cellar where crocks of cream could be chilled. Ice placed in an icehouse in January and February could last until the following October and November.
The Gardener’s Cottage - 1846
The architect, Thomas Lewinski, finished designs for the 
Gardener's Cottage at
Ashland in April of 1846. The cottage is a short distance south of the mansion. The
mantels and banister are thought to have been banished to the cottage from the mansion,
which had been replaced by more modern ones when Lewinski did alterations. The cottage is a
"small building composed of a main block containing a room on either side of a stair
hall on each of two floors, and two rooms in a one-storied wing at the rear."
After The Henry Clay Memorial Foundation took over the management of
Ashland in 1950, the cottage was used as a residence for maintenance/security personnel.
This arrangement continued until 1991 when the entire estate was closed for a major
restoration. During that time the one-story wing was converted into public
restrooms.
The renovated 19th century gardener’s cottage currently houses the Museum Room
and Ashland offices.
