Blue Grass Trust Receives Historic $600,000 Mellon Grant
Grant Funds Will Support the Recently Unveiled Plans for a New Preservation Center at Hopemont
The Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation is thrilled to announce a transformational $600,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the largest operational gift in our 70-year history. This extraordinary investment will help launch the Preservation Center at Hopemont, Kentucky’s first centralized resource hub for historic preservation.
This announcement was first made during our 70th Founders’ Day celebration at Hopemont, where Executive Director Dr. Jonathan Coleman declared, “What a birthday present!”
What’s Coming:
The Preservation Center at Hopemont will serve as a one-stop-shop for Kentuckians seeking guidance, resources, and support for preservation projects of every scale. Slated to open by 2027, the Center will house:
Consultation and meeting spaces
Grant assistance and research tools
Workshops, lectures, and training programs
A preservation-focused library
New exhibitions on both Hopemont’s history and the power of preservation
Mellon funding will also support accessibility enhancements, wayfinding signage, and the purchase of furnishings to create a welcoming, functional space.
Staff Expansion: Two New Positions
This grant allows the Blue Grass Trust to expand our team in significant ways:
Coordinator of African American Preservation
The first full-time position of its kind in Kentucky, this role will work directly with communities to preserve African American heritage sites and histories across the state.Lead of Visitor Experience
This role will ensure an inclusive and engaging daily experience for guests at the Preservation Center and will serve as the first point of contact for the public.
This new Preservation Center represents a bold step forward—not only for the Blue Grass Trust, but for preservation across Kentucky. By providing tools, training, and a dedicated space for storytelling and advocacy, we’re helping ensure that the places and histories that matter most are preserved for generations to come.
“Our goal is to wholly transform the way communities engage in historic preservation by equipping people with the resources and expertise to empower their own preservation efforts. Through this novel approach, we believe we can save hundreds of places and tell thousands of stories!” said Dr. Coleman.
We are grateful to the Mellon Foundation for believing in the power of preservation to build stronger, more inclusive communities. Stay tuned as we share more about the development of the Preservation Center in the months ahead!
