Spring Forward with the Blue Grass Trust!
St. Hubert’s Episcopal Church
We are excited to announce the return of our in-person deTours on April 1st at 6 p.m., and we're heading to the remarkable St. Hubert's Episcopal Church!
Completed in 1969, this picturesque stone structure was designed from drawings by William R. Moody and modeled after a traditional English country church. Built of native Kentucky limestone and timber grown in the Commonwealth, St. Hubert's reflects a deep commitment to local materials, craftsmanship, and thoughtful design. A Clark County family donated the five-acre site along Grimes Mill Road, and the church itself was funded entirely through private gifts.
Among its architectural highlights are the massive oak doors, carved by Kentucky musician and craftsman John Jacob Niles, that feature the Eighty-fourth Psalm framed by ivy and tobacco leaves. The freestanding bell tower houses an 1862 antique bell rescued from being melted down during World War I. Its tones have carried across the countryside for generations!
Join us as we gather in person once again to explore this distinctive landmark, appreciate its architectural details, and celebrate the shared places that shape Central Kentucky's history. We can't wait to see you back on deTour!
St. Hubert’s Episcopal Church
1436 Grimes Mill Road
Wednesday, April 1
6:00 PM
EDUCATION
Recap: March 2026 Virtual deTour
Elm Bend in Woodford County, KY!
For our final virtual deTour of the season, we explored the history and remnants of Elm Bend, a rural community in southern Woodford County that once played an important role in Central Kentucky’s agricultural and social landscape.
Although Elm Bend no longer exists as a formal town, historic homes, farm structures, landscape features, and a small community cemetery remain, offering a powerful window into the lives, labor, and legacies of the families who lived and worked there in the mid-twentieth century.
We were excited to partner with the University of Kentucky’s Monuments Workshop to uncover the stories of often-overlooked sites of memory and conflict. This deTour highlighted the vital work being done with community partners to document, interpret, and restore its significance.
We Want Your Opinion!
Virtual deTour Survey
We want to hear from you! If you've watched one of our recent virtual deTours, we'd love your feedback. This brief survey takes less than two minutes to complete and will help us continue to improve the series. Share your thoughts by clicking below!
ADVOCACY
Advocacy in Action
Samuel Johnson Cabin
Log cabins and houses are amongst the most imperiled historic resources in Central Kentucky. But some, like the late-eighteenth-century Samuel Johnson Cabin at 122 W. Fourth Street in Lexington, have been painstakingly restored.
A full account of this building's history and dramatic structural transformation is presented on our new virtual tour. Following a site visit for that survey project, we collaborated with the property owner to place a restrictive covenant on the cabin that safeguards it from demolition and ensures that future modifications conform to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.
Photo by Kopana Terry
Save the Date!
2026 Preservation Awards
Mark your calendar! The Blue Grass Trust's annual Preservation Awards will be held on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the historic Dr. Thomas Hunt Morgan House in Lexington. Each year, these awards recognize the individuals, organizations, and projects making historic preservation a vital force in Central Kentucky — from outstanding rehabilitation work and landscape stewardship to advocacy leadership, public service, and culturally inclusive history.
The Preservation Awards is an event for Blue Grass Trust members. Not yet a member? Join today to receive your invitation and help support historic preservation in Central Kentucky!
Recap: 2026 Tax Credit Workshop
Thank you to everyone who joined us on February 18 for our free Virtual Workshop on Historic Tax Credits, presented in partnership with the Kentucky Heritage Council! The session drew nearly 30 attendees, who learned about the three-part application process, eligibility requirements, and expectations for appropriate rehabilitations. If you missed it, or want to revisit the details, the presentation slides are accessible through the link below!
DIRECT SERVICES
Out and About in Central Kentucky
2026 National History Day!
Our Blue Grass Trust Community Outreach Manager, Jackson Osborne, recently joined fellow historians from across the region to serve as a judge for the 2026 National History Day in Kentucky, Region 4 contest at Eastern Kentucky University.
It was an inspiring day of learning from students whose research, creativity, and passion for history were on full display. We’re always encouraged to see the next generation engaging so thoughtfully with the past and sharing their work with the community.
Recap: 2026 Tax Credit Workshop
Thank you to everyone who joined us on February 18 for our free Virtual Workshop on Historic Tax Credits, presented in partnership with the Kentucky Heritage Council! The session drew nearly 30 attendees, who learned about the three-part application process, eligibility requirements, and expectations for appropriate rehabilitations. If you missed it, or want to revisit the details, the presentation slides are accessible through the link below!
