Dive into history with the 2024 Hopemont Lecture, Preservation Workshop, and Community Action!
2024 Hopemont Lecture
“Running with Scissors”
Named after the 1814 home that spurred the creation of the Blue Grass Trust, The Hopemont Lecture brings the nation’s foremost preservationists and historians to Central Kentucky. Together, we explore innovative ways to think about and share Kentucky’s rich, diverse, and exciting past.
Join us for the 2024 Hopemont Lecture led by Franklin Vagnone, a public historian and leader in cultural preservation, founder and president of Twisted Preservation, and co-author of the Anarchist’s Guide to Historic House Museums. This year's Hopemont Lecture, themed "Running with Scissors," will explore how preservationists and historic sites can become powerful catalysts for innovation, change, community building, and sustainability. This lecture is a must-attend for anyone interested in the future of preservation.
Date & Time: Thursday, September 26, 7:00 PM
Location: Dr. Thomas Hunt Morgan House, 210 North Broadway, Lexington, KY
Registration: Click here to register!
2024 Preservation Workshop
The 2024 Hopemont Lecture Preservation Workshop is a hands-on, interactive session designed for preservation professionals, students, and community leaders. Engage with national and local experts to learn how to enact meaningful change at public history sites. Space is limited, so be sure to register early.
Date & Time: Friday, September 27, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Hopemont, 201 North Mill Street, Lexington, KY
Registration: Available Now!
2024 Community Action
Huntertown Community Interpretive Park
Put the knowledge from the lecture and workshop into action by participating in a community event at Huntertown Community Interpretive Park. Join us in maintaining the park, a historic site once home to a thriving African-American community founded in 1871. Your efforts will help preserve this vital piece of local history. Please bring your own tools if possible. Space is limited, so early registration is recommended.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of an event that blends education, hands-on experience, and community service, all aimed at fostering innovative preservation practices.
Date & Time: Friday, September 27, 2:00 PM
Location: Huntertown Community Interpretive Park, 1546 Huntertown Road, Versailles, KY
Registration: Please register by clicking here
EDUCATION
Upcoming October 2024 deTour
Date: Wednesday, October 2nd
Time: 6 pm
Where: Giltner-Holt House in Franklin County
335 Holt Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601
Join us on Wednesday, October 2nd at 6PM for 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. Don't miss this opportunity to explore the poet's historic home and learn more about its significance!
September deTour Recap: Exploring Hanover Towers
On September 4th, the Blue Grass Trust deTour took us on a journey through the iconic Hanover Towers, a mid-century marvel located in Ashland Park. Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, the 10-story building, built in 1964, has been a significant part of Lexington's history and was recognized with a BGT plaque on its 50th anniversary in 2014. Now a proud fixture of the Ashland Park Historic District, Hanover Towers has housed many notable residents and remains a cherished community landmark. During the event, attendees enjoyed refreshments, toured various apartment layouts, and soaked in the unique charm of this historic residence, all capped off with a breathtaking view from the rooftop. It was a delightful evening honoring the past and present of this beloved building.
ADVOCACY
Kentucky Supreme Court Case Update
Victory in Overturning KRS 100.3471
We’re thrilled to share a major legal victory that could reshape the landscape of preservation advocacy across Kentucky. For years, KRS 100.3471 has been a formidable obstacle, requiring individuals and organizations to post a costly bond when appealing planning and zoning decisions. This statute, dubbed a "price of admission" by its critics, has deterred many good-faith efforts to challenge development projects that threaten historic sites.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Blue Grass Trust, along with our partners including the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Kentucky Supreme Court has ruled KRS 100.3471 unconstitutional. In a narrow 4-3 decision, the Court affirmed that the bond requirement violates the Kentucky Constitution’s guarantee of a right of appeal, describing it as both "manifestly unconstitutional" and arbitrary. This landmark ruling not only protects the rights of preservationists but also sets a precedent that makes it easier for neighborhood associations and nonprofits like ours to defend historic places across the Commonwealth.
However, this victory is bittersweet. While we succeeded in overturning an unjust law, the Court also upheld the Lexington Planning Commission’s decision to authorize the demolition of the Commonwealth Building at 120 W. High Street. Despite our best efforts, this rare example of mid-century architecture in the Historic South Hill Neighborhood will likely be lost. As we celebrate our legal win, we remain committed to advocating for the preservation of Lexington’s historic fabric and will continue to fight for our community's architectural heritage.
Maxwell Street Case Update
In less positive news, we unfortunately lost our case in circuit court to protect 13 National Register-listed buildings on E Maxwell and Stone Avenue from demolition. While this outcome is disappointing, the case provided us with critical insights into the city's decision-making processes and legal boundaries. Our Historic Preservation Manager, Dr. Zak Leonard, penned this op-ed published in the Herald Leader, which outlines these lessons and could serve as a valuable resource for other groups facing similar land use and rezoning challenges.
DIRECT SERVICES
Featured Plaque Property
Henry Clay Law Office
176 N. Mill Street, Lexington, KY
This month’s Blue Grass Trust Success Story highlights an iconic plaque property: the Henry Clay Law Office at 176 N Mill Street. Built in 1803, it contained Clay’s law practice from 1804 to at least 1810. Our recent instagram reel delves into the rediscovery of the building, our campaign to save it from demolition, and the role of the state government in ensuring its survival.
