NEW! Preservation Consulting Services Now Available
Introducing the Blue Grass Trust’s Professional Consulting Services
We now offer three tailored services:
Historic Property Research
Our team will uncover your building’s story using deed records, historical maps, newspapers, and photos. We provide a full packet that includes an occupancy history, architectural description, and a timeline of the structure’s physical evolution.
National Register Nominations
We’ll help determine eligibility, complete the full nomination, and represent your project before local and state boards. Getting listed on the National Register not only brings recognition—it may also open the door to tax credit eligibility and grant opportunities.
Historic Tax Credit Consulting
We provide expert support throughout the state and federal application process for rehabilitation tax credits. Our team helps ensure your project meets the necessary standards and maximizes your potential savings.
These services are designed to make preservation more accessible and impactful in Central Kentucky. Learn more about our rates, process, and how to get started at bluegrasstrust.org/consulting.
EDUCATION
Upcoming July 2025 deTour
📅 Date: Wednesday, July 9th
⏰ Time: 6PM
📍Where: Walnut Hill Presbyterian Church, 575 Walnut Hill Road, Lexington, KY 40515
Join us on July 9th at 6:00 PM for our Blue Grass Trust deTour of the historic Walnut Hill Presbyterian Church! Constructed in 1801 on land donated by Levi Todd—grandfather of Mary Todd Lincoln—this early stone meeting house is one of the oldest church buildings in Kentucky. Nestled in the scenic countryside of Fayette County, Walnut Hill is both architecturally striking and deeply rooted in local and national history. This deTour is free and open to the public, details below!
June 2025 deTour Recap
FMA Pride of Place Walking Tour
We had a great crowd for our June 4th deTour, held in partnership with the Faulkner Morgan Archive. Josh Porter, Assistant Executive Director of the Faulkner Morgan Archive, guided us through fascinating downtown sites connected to Lexington’s LGBTQ history as part of their Pride of Place tour. We also stopped by the Central Branch Library to view their new exhibit, Queer, Here, and Everywhere.
Did you miss the tour? No worries — you can take a self-guided version here or check out our Facebook live video of the evening. What a special way to celebrate Pride Month!ch the full program here!
ADVOCACY
2025 Preservation Awards
Celebrating the Champions of Our Shared History
On May 18th, the Blue Grass Trust proudly hosted the 2025 Preservation Awards Ceremony, recognizing 13 remarkable recipients across 10 categories. From innovative research to hands-on restoration, each honoree exemplifies the passion, dedication, and impact that define historic preservation in Central Kentucky.
The ceremony, full of energy and community spirit, was made even more meaningful thanks to our generous sponsor, the Gratz Park Neighborhood Association, who dedicated this year’s awards in honor of John and Carolyn Hackworth.
Preservation Craftsman Award: William Gerrow
Public Service to Preservation: The Madison County Courthouse Renovation Project
Clay Lancaster Heritage Education Award: Gratz Park: The Heart of Historic Lexington
Clay Lancaster Heritage Education Award: Michael Breeding
Community Preservation Award: The Leeds Center for the Arts
Barbara Hulette Award: Charles Stewart
Lucy Graves Advocacy Award: Weyland Ventures
Lucy Graves Advocacy Award: The Gray Design Building
Clyde Carpenter Adaptive Re-Use Award: The Hutchinson House
Clyde Carpenter Adaptive Re-Use Award: The JC Cock House
Landscape Preservation Award: A Sense of Place
Yvonne Giles Award: Randall Vaughn
Lifetime Service to Preservation Award: John and Carolyn Hackworth
Congratulations to all of our award winners! Your efforts are helping to safeguard the places and stories that define Kentucky’s cultural identity. View highlights and meet this year’s honorees on the 2025 Preservation Award Winners page of our website.
Saving Lexington House from Wrongful Demolition
245 Stone Avenue
The Blue Grass Trust has been advocating to save the charming John F. Nunan House at 245 Stone Avenue since late 2023, when the Stavroff developers first submitted plans to demolish 13 historic houses. Built around 1927, it is a rare hybrid of Craftsman and Tudor Revival styles.
In April 2025, we received word that Stavroff had applied for a demolition permit for 245 Stone Ave. Determining that this action would be a violation of the certified final development plan, we alerted multiple city offices; that permit request was then withdrawn. On May 13, 2025, Stavroff sold the Nunan House to the Kappa Alpha fraternity’s Theta chapter for $1 and purchased that group’s former residence at 235 E. Maxwell for $1,200,000 (almost three times its assessed value). Kappa Alpha's plans for the Nunan House are unclear, and they have not responded to our correspondence.
Despite a preponderance of evidence that suggests otherwise, Planning staff are now arguing that 245 Stone was not included in the final development plan and therefore isn't protected by its stipulations. As this opinion is not based in fact, we have appealed the planning department’s interpretation to the Board of Adjustment. For more background, please visit the Advocacy page of our website and read the recent article published in the Herald-Leader here.
DIRECT SERVICES
Out in the Community
Kentucky State Historic Preservation Conference
Thanks to the 2025 Kentucky State Historic Preservation Conference, the Blue Grass Trust had the opportunity to engage in vital conversations about the future of nonprofit preservation organizations across the Commonwealth.
As part of the two-day conference in Newport, KY—hosted by the Kentucky Heritage Council and themed “Pillars of Preservation: Supporting a Stronger Kentucky”—Executive Director Dr. Jonathan Coleman was a featured panelist in the session titled “Effective Strategies for Preservation, Nonprofit Leadership, and Collaboration.” Alongside other statewide leaders, Dr. Coleman discussed key strategies for strengthening historic preservation nonprofits through sustainable administration, leadership development, and meaningful outreach. The panel explored ways to build resilient organizations, grow membership engagement, reach more diverse audiences, and secure long-term support. Dr. Coleman shared insights from BGT’s recent growth, advocacy wins, and commitment to serving as a statewide preservation resource.
We’re grateful to the KHC for convening this important gathering and proud to contribute to the broader conversation about what it takes to make preservation possible!
