Join the Blue Grass Trust this August!
Photo by Kopana Terry
Become a Member
Shape the Future of Preservation
Central Kentucky is defined by the places that tell our story: historic homes and neighborhoods, downtown buildings, rural landscapes, and the landmarks that give our communities their unique sense of place. Protecting these places is at the heart of everything the Blue Grass Trust does, and this August, we’re inviting you to be a part of that work by becoming a member.
Because our work is made possible through private support, your membership directly funds our advocacy, educational programs, community outreach, and preservation services. It also welcomes you into a community of people who share your appreciation for the history, architecture, and character of our region.
Members enjoy invitations to special events, early registration for popular programs, regular preservation updates, and unique opportunities to experience historic places throughout the Bluegrass. Most importantly, your membership helps ensure that when an important place is threatened or a community needs guidance, the Blue Grass Trust is here to help.
EDUCATION
Upcoming September 2026 deTour
William S. Webb Museum of Anthropology
Join us Wednesday, September 2 for our deTour of the William S. Webb Museum of Anthropology at the University of Kentucky. And what better time to visit than September, which is Kentucky Archaeology Month?
Founded in 1931, the Webb Museum is one of Kentucky's most important repositories for archaeological collections, preserving artifacts, photographs, field records, and archival materials that help us understand the people and communities who have shaped Kentucky and the wider world. We'll learn how the collections are cared for, studied, and shared with students, researchers, and the public.
2026 SEPTEMBER DETOUR
UK’s William S. Webb Museum of Anthropology
1020 Export St, Lexington, KY 40504
Public Parking is available on Old Virginia Avenue
Wednesday, September 2
6 PM
Recap: August 2026 deTour
Georgetown College
Earlier this month, we spent a memorable evening exploring the historic campus of Georgetown College, one of Kentucky’s oldest institutions of higher education. Founded in 1829, the college has nearly two centuries of educational, architectural, and community history woven into its grounds, and our deTour brought much of that story to life. Our thanks to everyone who joined us for a wonderful walk through Georgetown’s past!
Save the Date!
2026 Hopemont Lecture
We’re honored to welcome Donovan Rypkema for this year’s Hopemont Lecture. As principal of PlaceEconomics, a Washington, D.C.-based real estate and economic development consulting firm, Rypkema has spent his career at the intersection of historic preservation and economics, and he’s widely regarded as one of the nation's leading voices on the economic case for saving historic places.
This year’s lecture centers on a question with real urgency for communities across the Bluegrass and beyond: the role historic preservation plays in addressing our affordable housing challenges. As we continue to navigate questions of growth, density, and access here in Central Kentucky, it’s a conversation that could not be more timely.
2026 HOPEMONT LECTURE
The Lexington History Museum
210 N. Broadway
Thursday, October 29
7 PM
The 2026 Hopemont Lecture is free and open to the public. RSVPs required. Registration will open in early September.
ADVOCACY
Demolition of 277 Lexington Avenue, June 2026
Rethinking How Lexington Grows
In a recent op-ed for the Lexington Herald-Leader, Aylesford Action organizer Carrick Moon made a compelling case that it is time for Lexington to reimagine how it grows. Drawing on Aylesford’s own hard experience this past year, Moon points to three structural weaknesses in how the city plans for development: no policy for private student housing, a process that treats community input as an afterthought, and the decline of neighborhood associations. His call is for intention over momentum, arguing that growth for its own sake erodes the character and social fabric that make a place worth living in. You can read Moon’s full op-ed on our blog using the link below.
Those concerns arrive at a timely moment. As Adrian Bryant reported for the Herald-Leader, Lexington’s newly adopted Downtown Area Master Plan takes up many of the same questions, calling for 2,500 new housing units downtown while grappling with how to add them without displacing residents. Encouragingly, the plan reflects what the Blue Grass Trust has long argued: that preservation, affordability, and thoughtful growth are connected goals, not competing ones, and that our existing historic building stock is part of the housing solution.
Geneva Donaldson and Historic Preservation Manager, Zak Leonard
Hope House: A Tax Credit Success
The state rehabilitation tax credit is an essential resource for owners of historic homes who are embarking on substantial construction projects. In 2026, we assisted the Donaldsons with acquiring nearly $45,000 in historic tax credits for their sensitive repairs to Hope House (304 W. Third), Mike Driscoll's KY Home MD team restored the front porch and numerous wood windows, replastered several rooms, and sealed the stone foundation to prevent water infiltration. A full history of Hope House is available on our Instagram and Facebook pages.
For more information on federal and state historic tax credit eligibility, please visit our consulting services page below.
DIRECT SERVICES
Property Research Spotlight: Castlelawn
In the past year, our property research consulting work has taken us from the wilds of Wilmore to the banks of the Ohio in Augusta. In June, Dr. Leonard had the privilege of visiting Castlelawn, a Greek Revival villa on Old Richmond Road, and producing a comprehensive history of the estate. That report is available here. If you are interested in learning more about your historic property, please fill out our inquiry form, and we will be in touch!
Out in the Community:
Partnering with Bryan Station
Our Community Outreach Manager, Jackson Osborne, had a great evening meeting with members of the Bryan Station Neighborhood Association to discuss the many services the Blue Grass Trust provides to our community. From preservation resources to advocacy and education, these programs help preserve the unique character of our neighborhoods while supporting their continued growth and vitality. Thank you to the Bryan Station Neighborhood Association for the opportunity to share our work and discuss ways we can partner together to strengthen Lexington's historic neighborhoods.
We love connecting with people throughout our community. If your neighborhood association, civic group, or organization would like to learn more about the Blue Grass Trust and how we can help support your preservation efforts, we'd be happy to meet with you. Please reach out to Jackson Osborne at josborne@bluegrasstrust.org to schedule a presentation or conversation.
Out in the Community:
Lecture at Luigart Family Reunion
In the 1870s, German immigrant Joseph Luigart established a malt house at what is now 110 Luigart Court that played a significant role in the development of the Loudon area. Historic Preservation manager, Dr. Leonard, nominated this complex to the National Register in 2024; that research is available to download on our website. In July, he shared his findings with a sizable group of Lugiart descendants who had traveled to Lexington from across the country for the occasion. It was a delight to meet so many history enthusiasts!
