Join Us for Our 70th Annual Founders’ Day Celebration
On July 17th, we will continue our celebration of seven decades of making preservation possible at our annual Founders’ Day event! While this event has historically been for members only, we warmly welcome the public to join for this special 70th anniversary.
Enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres with fellow Blue Grass Trust members and guests, meet our new board leadership, honor the memory of our 2025 recipient of the Dot Crutcher Award, and be the first to hear an exciting announcement that will shape our future work.
Let’s raise a glass to 70 years and the future to come!
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Hopemont | 201 North Mill Street, Lexington, KY
5:00–7:00 PM
RSVP by July 14th or call 859-253-0362.
(This is a complimentary event. Brief remarks begin at 6:00 PM.)
Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Barnhill Chimney Company, for making this event possible.
EDUCATION
Upcoming August 2025 deTour
The Hickman House
Join us on August 6th at 6PM for our Blue Grass Trust deTour of the Hickman House located in the historic Thomson Neighborhood of Winchester.
On the National Register of Historic Places, the Hickman House was built in 1814 at this prominent corner in Winchester for use as a tavern, but it was sold within a year to William Hickman. Hickman was one of Central Kentucky's most noted furniture makers, and he used this structure both as his residence and his shop. Six generations of the Hickman family resided in this house, lasting over 160 years. Come explore its interesting architecture and history with us!
As always, this deTour is free and open to the public. Thanks to Matt Peel for the photo!
Date: Wednesday, August 6th
Time: 6PM
31 W. Hickman St, Winchester, KY 40391
July 2025 deTour Recap
Walnut Hill Presbyterian Church
Wow—what an incredible crowd for our July deTour of Walnut Hill Presbyterian Church! We are grateful to the congregation for opening the doors of this historic and beautiful church to our members, supporters, and the curious. Don’t forget—you’ll be able to learn more about this 1801 stone church in our new virtual tour on Tour the Historic Bluegrass, coming later this summer!
Vanishing Traces of Early Kentucky
An Architectural History of Log and Stone Buildings
Join us for a lecture previewing a new virtual tour of Central Kentucky's early log and stone buildings, which will be featured on our award-winning Tour the Historic Bluegrass website. In this presentation, Dr. Zak Leonard will share the fascinating stories of pre-1830 churches, mills, taverns, and residences, delving deep into the region's pioneer-era history and the challenges that these vulnerable properties often face. This project is made possible with support from Kentucky Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Trust for Historic Preservation's National Trust Preservation Fund, and the Kentucky Historical Society.
Thursday, August 14 | 6–8 PM
Hopemont | 201 North Mill Street, Lexington
ADVOCACY
National DAR Grant Awarded to Hopemont
The National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) selected Hopemont as one of its 2025 Preservation Grant recipients. The funds, totaling over $9,000, will help restore exterior wooden components of Hopemont, including the sleeping porch, windows, and doors.
The grant was recommended by the Lexington Chapter of the NSDAR. "Lexington Chapter, NSDAR was thrilled to sponsor the Blue Grass Trust’s successful grant awarded by the National Society, DAR. Building relationships with great partners like the Blue Grass Trust strengthens our ability to preserve the vital material culture of our community," said Judy Owens, Regent of the Lexington Chapter, NSDAR.
We are grateful to the NSDAR and the Lexington Chapter for their investment in Hopemont!
Support Our Work and Commemorate Lexington’s 250th with a Bur Oak
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate Lexington’s 250th birthday? Pemberton’s Greenhouses is selling native Bur Oak trees—the official tree of Lexington—with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Blue Grass Trust!
Each 2-gallon Bur Oak is $47, with $5 going directly to support our mission of preserving Central Kentucky’s historic places. Trees are available now through the end of the year. Visit PembertonsGreenhouses.com/birthday to purchase and plant your piece of Lexington history.
