Introducing Our New Preservation Professionals Directory!
Introducing the New Preservation Professionals Directory
Connecting You with Experts in Historic Preservation and Traditional Craftsmanship
The Blue Grass Trust is excited to unveil our new Preservation Professionals Directory, a free resource for property owners seeking professional services in historic preservation. This directory features a list of local craftspeople, contractors, and service providers who specialize in traditional construction methods for the maintenance, restoration, and rehabilitation of historic structures. Whether you're looking to preserve a cherished landmark or restore your own piece of history, our directory is a great place to get started.
Are you a preservation professional who would like to be listed in this directory?
Click here to request a directory listing.
EDUCATION
Upcoming November 2024 deTour
Date: Wednesday, November 6th
Time: 6 pm
Where: Moveable Feast
474 Silver Maple Way, Lexington, KY 40508
Join us on Wednesday, November 6th, at 6:00 PM for a special deTour at Moveable Feast Lexington, located in a beautiful historic home in Lexington’s historic East End neighborhood that has been adaptively reused to serve our community.
Moveable Feast provides meals to those living with HIV/AIDS and other terminal illnesses, blending historic preservation with a powerful mission of care and support. Come explore the history of this unique space and see firsthand how it continues to make a difference in Lexington.
October deTour Recap: Giltner-Holt House
On Wednesday, October 2nd, we had the pleasure of an exclusive in-person deTour of the Giltner-Holt House in Franklin County. This historic home, built in 1859, was purchased by former Kentucky Poet Laureate Richard Taylor in 1975. Known affectionately as "Taylor's Folly," the house was a true fixer-upper, requiring extensive renovations, including a new roof, paint job, and central heating. Located near the scenic Elkhorn Creek just outside of Frankfort, the Giltner-Holt House became Taylor's gateway to the region's rich history and culture, with the creek serving as a profound source of inspiration for his literary works. It was a memorable opportunity to explore the poet's historic home and learn more about its significance!
Innovating Preservation
A Recap of the 2024 Hopemont Lecture and Workshop
The 2024 Hopemont Lecture, hosted by the Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation, welcomed Frankie Vagnone, Founder of Twisted Preservation and co-author of Anarchist’s Guide to Historic House Museums. In his engaging presentation, “Running With Scissors,” Vagnone challenged the audience to rethink preservation and embrace innovative approaches to community building and sustainability. The event, held at the Dr. Thomas Hunt Morgan House on September 26th, drew a full house, showcasing the local community's growing interest in evolving preservation practices. Discover the insights and inspiration from Frankie Vagnone's Hopemont Lecture by watching this engaging video recap!
On September 27th, the Blue Grass Trust also hosted a Preservation Workshop, giving professionals, historians, and grassroots leaders hands-on opportunities to engage with forward-thinking preservation techniques. National and local experts led interactive sessions, empowering attendees with fresh ideas for preserving and revitalizing historic sites. Through these events, the Blue Grass Trust continues to lead the way in reimagining the future of preservation in Central Kentucky.
ADVOCACY
A Historic Day at Richland
Heritage Society Members Enjoy Exclusive Tour
Heritage Society members recently enjoyed an exclusive tour of Richland, the historic 1824 estate of General James Shelby, led by current steward Wesley Francis, a University of Kentucky student and recipient of the 2024 Clay Lancaster Heritage Education Award. Wesley shared Richland’s fascinating history, including its transformation through Italianate renovations, its brush with Confederate visitors during the Civil War, and its remarkable restoration after a devastating 1982 fire. Members explored the estate room-by-room, gaining insights into the restoration process, while enjoying refreshments and learning about the Blue Grass Trust's ongoing preservation efforts.
Heritage Society members have made planned gifts to the Blue Grass Trust. Are you interested in becoming a Heritage Society member? Click here to learn more.
DIRECT SERVICES
Featured Plaque Property
416 Fayette Park
Constructed in 1889 by city waterworks superintendent Stephen A. Charles, this stunning Romanesque plaque property in Fayette Park was the longtime residence of educator and naturalist Mary Wharton. A professor of biology at Georgetown College, she was instrumental in protecting the land along the Kentucky River that the Floracliff Nature Sanctuary now manages. Current owners Susan and Ray Hill have been sensitively rehabilitating the house and recently received state historic tax credits for their exertions. Our October 8 social media post presents a full history of the property, while the forthcoming issue of Preservation Matters delves into the Hills' tax credit project.
Out and About in the Community
Blue Grass Trust Visits Winchester’s Historic Allen Chapel
On September 12, community outreach manager Jackson Osborne and historic preservation manager Zak Leonard journeyed to Winchester for a site visit at the 1898 Allen Chapel. A fabulous example of late-nineteenth-century Gothic ecclesiastical architecture, the chapel once served a congregation of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church of America. After religious activity in the building ceased in 2013, the nearby First Baptist Church acquired it as a protective measure. Since that time, however, the chapel's brick shell and roof have markedly deteriorated. Advising leaders of the First Baptist Church on a possible rehabilitation, we discussed National Register nomination procedures, historic tax credit eligibility, fundraising options, and the possibility of liaising with other historically Black churches throughout the region.
Keynote Speaking Engagement at the Cartmell House
Dr. Jonathan Coleman was delighted to give the keynote, Why Preservation, at the recent dedication of the Cartmell House, a circa 1795 residence located within the Firebrook neighborhood, recently saved and restored by grassroots preservationists.
Vanguard Group Panel: Historic Introduction to Lexington
Our Executive Director was honored to speak about Lexington's preservation movement at NextCity's 2024 Vanguard Lexington Conference on September 24th, featuring rising urban leaders from around the nation committed to cultivating equity and sustainability in cities for the next generation.
