Embracing a New Year of Preservation
2024 Preservation Awards Call for Nominations
Help us honor those who have preserved our historic places!
Each year, the Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation hosts our Preservation Awards, recognizing the positive, far-reaching impact that preservation plays in Central Kentucky and honoring the individuals and organizations that make preservation possible.
The Blue Grass Trust encourages nominations for projects, organizations, and individuals who promote the value of historic preservation within the Central Kentucky region.
We are seeking nominations for the following awards:
Barbara Hulette Award: Given for efforts in the preservation of Central Kentucky’s history, heritage, built environment, landscape, archaeological resources, sense of community, or significant endeavors
Clay Lancaster Heritage Education Award: Given to an individual or group for service in researching and disseminating information about the Central Kentucky region
Clyde Reynolds Carpenter Adaptive Reuse Award: Given to an individual or group for outstanding efforts in the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of a building or buildings within Central Kentucky
Community Preservation Award: Given to a non-governmental organization or individual for service to the preservation movement or to a specific project
Landscape Preservation Award: Given to an individual or group for the preservation, design, stewardship, restoration, or enhancement of a historic cultural landscape in the Bluegrass
Lucy Graves Advocacy Award: Given to an individual or group that has exhibited advocacy leadership in supporting the historic preservation movement in Central Kentucky
Preservation Craftsman Award: Given to a building industry craftsperson who has exhibited a strong commitment to quality craftsmanship for historic buildings
Public Service to Preservation Award: Given to a government agency or official for service to preservation movement or to a specific project
Yvonne Giles Award: Given to an individual, group, or project for contributing to research on African American or other culturally inclusive history, advocacy of the understanding of that history, and education of the community regarding African American or other culturally inclusive history in the Bluegrass
For a list of award winners, click here.
EDUCATION
February Virtual deTour - Available Now!
Premiers on Wednesday, February 7th at 6PM
Check back here on the Blue Grass Trust website for a link to watch.
Tune in on February 7th at 6 PM for our virtual deTour of the Art Center of the Bluegrass in downtown Danville, Kentucky. During this deTour, we will delve into the intriguing histories of the two adaptively reused properties that now form the museum while gaining insights into the diverse programs and collections offered by the Art Center for the Blue Grass, including the Glass National Art Museum, showcasing its remarkable collection of works by the internationally renowned artist Stephen Rolfe Powell.
January deTour (Virtual)
Click here to watch our virtual January 2024 deTour of The Digital Access Project: Uncovering Hopemont.
In this deTour, we followed along the Fayette County Clerk's Office and the University of Kentucky, History 351/African American and Africana Studies 400, who have recently completed a research project with preliminary findings uncovering the names and lives of those who were enslaved by the Hunt and Morgan families at Hopemont.
Explore Our Educational Initiatives
ADVOCACY
Advocacy in Action
An Update on Our Opposition to the Rezoning of E. Maxwell St. and Stone Ave
We are continuing to challenge the rezoning of E. Maxwell St. and Stone Ave, which would allow for the construction of a 7-story, 700-bed complex. 13 buildings on the National Register are at risk of demolition; the developer's plan now calls for the destruction of 245 Stone Ave in order to build an outdoor trash compactor. Although we presented ample evidence and the results of our petition (with 2,620+ signers) before the Planning Commission, that body approved the rezoning. We believe that this decision was an erroneous one that runs afoul of both the 2018 and 2045 comprehensive plans. Dr. Zak Leonard's recent op-ed in the Herald Leader here delves into these plans and examines their policies for historic preservation and appropriate infill design.
Help us prevent the loss of historic places like this by following us on social media and sharing our posts highlighting the rich history of these buildings.
Upcoming Events
Save the Date
70 Years of Making Preservation Possible:
A History of the Blue Grass Trust
Date: Tuesday, March 5th
Time: 7PM
Location: Dr. Thomas Hunt Morgan House
Join us on Tuesday, March 5th, as Dr. Leonard delves into the captivating history of our beloved organization. Learn about the pivotal moments that shaped our mission and gain insights into the incredible preservation efforts that have defined our legacy over the past seven decades. More details will follow soon.
