Mark Your Calendars! “The Ideal Horsewoman of Kentucky”, A Special Lecture with Author Jessica K. Whitehead
"The Ideal Horsewoman of Kentucky": Josephine Clay and Trailblazing Women in Racing
A Special deTours Lecture with Jessica K. Whitehead
Our March deTour continues with an exclusive in-person lecture at Hopemont! Join us on March 20th as we welcome author and historian Jessica K. Whitehead for a deep dive into the remarkable life of Josephine Russell Clay, a pioneering figure in Kentucky’s Thoroughbred racing industry.
Josephine Clay, the daughter-in-law of the legendary Henry Clay, defied societal expectations of her time by becoming a successful breeder, novelist, and poet. Her contributions to The Sport of Kings—both alongside her husband and as a widowed businesswoman—helped open doors for future generations of women in racing.
Jessica K. Whitehead, senior curator at the Kentucky Derby Museum, will delve into Josephine’s extraordinary life and career, offering insight into the challenges and triumphs of women in the male-dominated world of horse racing. Following the lecture, she will sign copies of her book, The History of the Kentucky Derby in 75 Objects, which explores the Derby’s rich history through artifacts that highlight often-overlooked contributions of Black, Latin American, and female industry leaders.
📅 Date: Thursday, March 20th
⏰ Time: 6PM
📍Where: Hopemont, 201 N. Mill Street, Lexington, KY
Speaker: Jessica K. Whitehead
Don’t miss this evening of history, storytelling, and inspiration. Save the date and join us in honoring the trailblazing women who have shaped Kentucky’s racing legacy!
March 2025 Virtual deTour Recap
Earlier this month, our March deTour took us on a special virtual journey in partnership with Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate, where we explored the extraordinary life and legacy of Josephine Russell Clay.
During the program, we uncovered the historic sites in Lexington connected to Josephine’s story, highlighting her influence not only in the racing industry but also in literature and beyond. Thank you to everyone who joined us, and a special thanks to Ashland for helping bring this important history to life!
Missed the virtual deTour? You can watch the full program here!
70 Years of Preservation Spotlight
Ardery Foundation Grant Helps Preserve Hopemont
As part of our 70th-anniversary celebration, we are proud to introduce a new monthly highlight—"70 Years of Preservation"—where we recognize significant milestones, projects, and contributions that continue to shape the legacy of the Blue Grass Trust.
This month, we are thrilled to announce that the Josephine Ardery Foundation has awarded the Blue Grass Trust a grant to support the preservation of Hopemont, the very place where our mission began 70 years ago. This generous funding will go toward the critical updates that ensure the long-term care of this historic landmark, including the installation of new gutters. Just as the Blue Grass Trust was founded to save Hopemont, we remain committed to its stewardship decades later.
Stay tuned each month as we continue to highlight the projects and people who make preservation possible. Here's to 70 years—and the work ahead!
EDUCATION
Upcoming April 2025 deTour
📅 Date: Wednesday, April 2nd
⏰ Time: 6PM
📍Where: Happy Chandler’s Cabin, 106 Camden Ave, Versailles, KY 40383
Step up to the plate this April as we get back to in-person deTours by exploring the historic cabin of Albert Benjamin “Happy” Chandler—two-time Kentucky governor, U.S. senator, and legendary Baseball Hall of Fame commissioner.
Chandler’s leadership in Major League Baseball helped shape the sport’s history, most notably through his groundbreaking support of Jackie Robinson’s integration into the major leagues in 1947, breaking baseball’s color barrier. Join us for this exclusive deTour as we delve into his lasting impact on both sports and politics.
ADVOCACY
Photograph of Stone Tavern, 1940
(University of Kentucky Special Collections, Clay Lancaster Kentucky architectural photographs)
Save the Date!
Identifying Underground Railroad Sites: Challenges and Opportunities
Join us for the third installment of the Lexington's Freedom Train Lyceum, a program designed to enhance our understanding of the Underground Railroad and its operations in Kentucky and beyond. Drawing from his extensive survey of Underground Railroad-linked properties in Upstate New York, Dr. Zak Leonard, the Historic Preservation Manager at the Blue Grass Trust, will discuss how these sites have been identified and commemorated. His talk, which focuses on the designation of anti-slavery churches, will incorporate case studies from New York and Kentucky to determine whether a new, transregional methodology is required for the study of these often-vulnerable historic resources. Light refreshments will be provided.
Join us for the third installment of the Lexington's Freedom Train Lyceum, a program designed to enhance our understanding of the Underground Railroad and its operations in Kentucky and beyond. Drawing from his extensive survey of Underground Railroad-linked properties in Upstate New York, Dr. Zak Leonard, the Historic Preservation Manager at the Blue Grass Trust, will discuss how these sites have been identified and commemorated. His talk, which focuses on the designation of anti-slavery churches, will incorporate case studies from New York and Kentucky to determine whether a new, transregional methodology is required for the study of these often-vulnerable historic resources. Light refreshments will be provided.
📅 Date: Thursday, March 20th
⏰ Time: 6PM
📍Where: Hopemont, 201 N. Mill Street, Lexington, KY
Speaker: Dr. Zak Leonard
Co-organized by Lexington's Freedom Train
Out in the Community
UK Monuments Workshop
We were delighted to welcome Rachel Noble-Varney and Zach Bray to Hopemont this month as part of the University of Kentucky's new Monuments Workshop, housed in the Rosenberg College of Law. Funded by the Mellon Foundation, this initiative integrates legal expertise into efforts to enhance the monument landscape in Kentucky and beyond. By connecting communities with specialists in legal rights, landscape design, historical research, and community engagement, the Monuments Workshop is shaping the future of preservation. We look forward to many exciting collaborations ahead!
DIRECT SERVICES
A Successful Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits Workshop
On February 20th, 46 preservation advocates, property owners, and community members gathered virtually for an informative and engaging Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits Workshop. Presented in partnership with the Kentucky Heritage Council, this session provided valuable insights into how historic tax credits can make preservation projects more accessible and financially viable.
Attendees learned about eligibility requirements, the application process, and best practices for maximizing tax incentives to support their historic properties. The workshop presentation featured expert guidance, real-world examples, and a lively Q&A session, ensuring that participants left with a clearer understanding of how to navigate the process. A huge thank you to everyone who attended and to our partners at the Kentucky Heritage Council for helping make this event a success! For those who missed it, you can find a one-page summary here of the takeaways from the presentation.
Featured Plaque Property
Hartland | 385 Winding Wood Lane, Lexington, KY
National Register-listed Hartland is a stellar Greek Revival residence that was once surrounded by 400 acres of farmland and old-growth forests. A BGT plaque property, it was the country seat of the Harts - one of Kentucky's oldest settler families - from its construction in the 1840s to 1922. Our March 3rd social media post probes the history of this storied property, which has pride of place within the modern Hartland subdivision.
