EDUCATION
Preservation Connects
Historic preservation means more than simply saving old buildings. At the Blue Grass Trust, we take preservation education seriously. We know historic preservation allows us to view our history with a wider lens, celebrating the places, events and times that have come to define our diverse cultural legacies. We treasure the old, so that we can make room for the stories others have forgotten to tell.
Without preservation, the physical representations of these stories are lost to history, robbing us of a shared connection and an ability to remember, understand and learn from the past.
Learn about preservation efforts in Central Kentucky — and the nation — through our monthly deTours, Tour the Historic Bluegrass virtual tours, annual Hopemont Lecture, and periodic talks by Dr. Zak Leonard, our historic preservation manager.
Educational Programs
Explore Central Kentucky’s vibrant historic places through the curated programs that bring our history to life.
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deTours
Have you ever wondered what’s inside some of the most beautiful buildings in the Bluegrass? Our award-winning Blue Grass Trust deTours program gives tours of historic places not normally open to the public, giving you an intimate inside look at the places that have defined our history. Blue Grass Trust deTours are held the first Wednesday of the month at 6pm, and are always free and open to the public.
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Tour the Historic Bluegrass
Travel back in time with us to explore historic Lexington and Central Kentucky through a series of self-led walking tours that provide insight into the past and present of the diverse Bluegrass region.
Walking Tours
Lexington’s East End Walking Tour
Adaptive Reuse in Lexington’s Urban Core
Adaptive Reuse
Bell Court
Constitution Historic District
Fayette and Elsmere Parks
Gratz Park
Mulberry Hill
South Hill
Western Suburb
Woodward Heights -
The Hopemont Lecture
Named after the 1814 home that spurred the creation of the Blue Grass Trust, The Hopemont Lecture brings the nation’s foremost preservationists and historians to Central Kentucky. Together, we explore innovative ways to think about and share Kentucky’s rich, diverse, and exciting past.
Vanishing Traces of Early Kentucky: An Architectural History of Log and Stone Buildings
This preview of our forthcoming Tour the Historic Bluegrass virtual tour revisits the history of early Kentucky by surveying numerous surviving log and stone buildings. In this lecture, Dr. Zak Leonard discusses Lexington’s early foundational myths, log and stone construction methods, and the complex social and economic histories of these often-vulnerable properties.
Filming of this event was made possible with support from the Kentucky Historical Society.
Identifying Underground Railroad Sites: Challenges and Opportunities
Drawing from his extensive survey of Underground Railroad-linked properties in Upstate New York, Dr. Zak Leonard explains how these sites have been identified and commemorated. This webinar, which focuses on the designation of anti-slavery churches, incorporates case studies from New York and Kentucky to determine whether a new, transregional methodology is required for the study of these important historic resources.
Why Preservation Matters
How Preserving the Old Revitalizes the New
“For Central Kentuckians who care about what they leave for the future, preservation ensures a continued sense of place for those who come after us. ”
“Preserving the past enables us to rectify injustices and create space for the narratives of those who have been marginalized or neglected in their own history.”
“Through preservation, we reduce our carbon impact by minimizing the energy waste associated with new construction.”
“When simply strolling down our streets transports us back in time, we gain a deeper appreciation and comprehension of the historical legacies that have shaped us.”
