Join Us in Celebrating National Historic Preservation Month
Your Support Doubles in Impact with a $25,000 Matching Grant!
As we honor National Historic Preservation Month this May, we invite you to join us in preserving Kentucky's rich heritage. Your ongoing support has already made a significant difference, but there's still more work to be done. Consider making an additional contribution to our annual fund to help us continue our vital mission. And here's the exciting part: donate by June 30, 2024, and your gift will be matched!
Thanks to a generous $25,000 matching challenge from our Board of Directors and Advisory Council, every dollar you donate to our Annual Fund will be doubled, making twice the impact in furthering our mission. Together, let's build a future where historic preservation thrives, ensuring that our shared history is cherished for generations to come. Thank you for your continued partnership in this important work.
EDUCATION
Upcoming June deTour
Date: Wednesday, June 5th
Time: 6 pm
Where: Historic Downtown in Bloomfield, Kentucky
Join us for an enchanting deTour of Historic Downtown Bloomfield, Kentucky! Discover the quaint charm of this hidden gem and learn about the wonderful efforts made by preservationists like Linda Bruckheimer to preserve its heritage. Let's stroll through the streets and uncover the stories that make Bloomfield special.
Save the date and stay tuned here for more details.
May deTour Recap: Leeds Theater
On May 1st, we enjoyed an unprecedented backstage access deTour of the legendary Leeds Theater. During this deTour, we explored the rich history and architectural beauty of this iconic venue and gained fascinating insights into the world of theater. To top it all off, we were fortunate enough to catch a sneak peek of "The Three Musketeers" rehearsals as well!
In Loving Memory: Bettye Lee Mastin
In remembrance of the late Bettye Lee Mastin, we pay tribute to her lasting legacy as a devoted advocate for historic preservation and a cherished Board Member of the Blue Grass Trust. Bettye's steadfast dedication to preserving Kentucky's architectural heritage and her influential efforts in promoting awareness of preservation's significance have left a lasting mark on our community. Her leadership and unwavering passion will serve as a beacon of inspiration as we continue our mission to safeguard and honor our collective history. More information on Bettye's extraordinary life and impactful contributions can be found here.
ADVOCACY
Historic Palmer Pharmacy Reopens with New Purpose
United Way of the Bluegrass’ Marksbury Family Waypoint Center
After a successful ribbon cutting ceremony this week, we're thrilled to announce the grand reopening of Historic Palmer Pharmacy as the United Way of the Bluegrass’ Marksbury Family WayPoint Center. Thanks to community support and the efforts of the Blue Grass Trust, this landmark is now revitalized, preserving its civil-rights history and contributing to Lexington's East End. Saving Palmer Pharmacy is just one example of how your support of the Blue Grass Trust is making preservation possible. Join us in celebrating this incredible achievement!
Request for Expressions of Interest
Latrobe’s Pope Villa
The Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation is pleased to release a Request for Expressions of Interest, inviting inquiries from parties interested in rehabilitating and acquiring or leasing Latrobe’s Pope Villa. Having received a prestigious Save America’s Treasures grant of $748,467, the Blue Grass Trust is poised to help our selected partner revive this historic gem. To ensure the continued preservation of Latrobe’s Pope Villa, the Blue Grass Trust is also seeking to facilitate a sale or lease of the building to an individual or organization with a feasible long-term use for the building and who is committed to carrying out a full rehabilitation.
The Request for Expressions of Interest, along with more information about Latrobe’s Pope Villa, can be found at www.bluegrasstrust.org/lpv. Parties interested in learning more can also contact Dr. Jonathan Coleman at jcoleman@bluegrasstrust.org or 859-253-0362.
DIRECT SERVICES
Preservation Matters Magazine
Spring/Summer 2024 Issue
Discover the latest in preservation news! Our Spring/Summer 2024 issue of Preservation Matters magazine has just been mailed out, featuring an exclusive focus on Frankfort. Learn about our state capital's rich history with articles highlighting recent preservation efforts, including the transformation of iconic landmarks like the Old Frankfort Hardware Store and Frankfort’s 'Queen on the Corner.' Don't miss out on this insightful issue!
Engaging our Community
Outreach at the Lexington Senior Center
Earlier this month, we had the pleasure of visiting the Lexington Senior Center to speak to the Donovan Scholars, part of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Kentucky. Our talk highlighted the importance of historic preservation in fostering vibrant communities and showcased how the Blue Grass Trust facilitates this through advocacy, education, and our direct services and programs.
Do you want us to speak at your organization, group or neighborhood association about preservation and ways to get involved? Reach out and let's start a conversation!
Featured Plaque Property
116 Lincoln Avenue, Lexington, KY 40502
Through the efforts of the Donahoe family, who have resided in this plaque property since 1973, 116 Lincoln Ave remains a masterfully preserved cornerstone of the Kenwick neighborhood. According to local yore, the house once functioned as Charlotte Mentelle's School for Young Ladies (est. 1820), where a young Mary Todd Lincoln boarded on weekdays from 1832-1836. After Charlotte’s death in 1860, the property reverted to General William Preston as part of the expansive Ellerslie estate. Thereafter, Preston rented it out to livestock operators such as Bernard J. Treacy, who developed Ashland Park Stock Farm. Around 1877, Treacy added the two wings to the building.
The question of whether this seemingly Gothic Revival, board-and-batten cottage truly contained the Mentelle School created a firestorm of debate in the columns of the Sunday Herald-Leader in 1941. Has a consensus emerged? Check out our April 7 social media post to find out!
