News Summary
The Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation in Lexington, Kentucky has secured a $600,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation. This funding, part of the Trust’s 70th anniversary celebration, will support the development of a new Preservation Center at Hopemont. Scheduled to open in 2027, the center aims to provide various preservation services and will also create two new positions within the Trust, including a coordinator for African-American Preservation. These efforts highlight the commitment to safeguarding diverse historical narratives amidst ongoing development pressures.
Lexington, Kentucky – The Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation has been awarded a significant grant of $600,000 from the Mellon Foundation, a contribution that marks a major milestone as the Trust celebrates its 70th anniversary. This grant will bolster the development of a new Preservation Center at Hopemont, which was formerly known as the Hunt-Morgan House.
The opening of the Preservation Center is anticipated in 2027, and it is designed to be a “one-stop-shop” for various preservation services the Trust offers. These services will include comprehensive programming, consulting, access to a specialized preservation library, assistance with grant applications, and hosting informative lectures.
Additionally, the grant will facilitate the creation of two new positions within the Trust. One of these roles will specifically manage the new center, while the other will serve as a coordinator of African-American Preservation. This latter position is notable; it will be the first full-time preservationist in Kentucky dedicated to African-American heritage, highlighting the Trust’s commitment to celebrating and safeguarding diverse histories.
Jonathan Coleman, the Executive Director of the Blue Grass Trust, expressed that this grant is essential in enhancing Kentucky’s ability to protect and honor its diverse historical narratives. The Trust has a storied history of advocating for Lexington’s historic architecture and cultural sites amidst modern development pressures, ensuring that the city’s unique character remains intact.
In related preservation efforts, the Blue Grass Trust is also working on the rehabilitation of the Pope Villa, an important historic building designed by renowned architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe. This project is being conducted through a separate $3.4 million partnership with a development firm based in Washington, D.C. The rehabilitation will feature the creation of light-use offices and public spaces and will adhere to a master plan laid out in 2018, which aims to enhance community engagement and economic development.
The rehabilitation of the Pope Villa is expected not only to restore an essential element of Lexington’s architectural heritage but also to stimulate job creation and foster positive economic impact within the region.
Amidst these preservation efforts, tensions have arisen concerning the demolition permit for a historic home located at 245 Stone Ave. Stavroff Land and Development accidentally pulled the demolition permit for this property, resulting in confusion amongst preservationists and local residents regarding the home’s future. It is reportedly intended for demolition to facilitate the construction of a new fraternity house for Kappa Alpha, pending the acquisition of necessary permits.
The situation concerning the home on Stone Ave. has led to a two-year conflict involving residents, preservation organizations, and developers, reflecting ongoing concerns regarding the city’s oversight of demolition permits. Currently, the city does not monitor these permits, raising questions about compliance with local development plans.
In additional community news, a welcome home celebration is set for veterans returning from an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on September 24. This event will honor the service and sacrifices of the veterans, adding to the sense of community engagement within the region.
As the Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation moves forward with its plans, the continued efforts to safeguard Lexington’s historical landscape stand as a testament to the importance of preserving cultural heritage, particularly in the face of modern development challenges.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Lexington Hosts Premiere of Environmental Documentary
Kentucky Launches ‘Save Your Family Treasures’ Program
Lexington Marks 250 Years of Educational Achievement
Lexington Faces Development Boom and Community Backlash
Gray Design Building Receives 2024 AIA Kentucky Honor Award
Additional Resources
- Lane Report: Blue Grass Trust Names Dr. Johnathan Coleman as New Executive Director
- Wikipedia: Preservation
- Kentucky.com: Preservation Efforts in Fayette County
- Google Search: historic preservation in Lexington
- WLKY: Honor Flight Bluegrass for Veterans
- Google Scholar: historic preservation Kentucky
- Kentucky.com: Opinion on Historic Preservation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: historical preservation
- Kentucky.com: Fayette County News
- Google News: Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
