News Summary
A new book, ‘Gratz Park,’ co-authored by historian Jeremy Popkin and photographer Bob Willcutt, delves into the history of Gratz Park, Lexington’s oldest park and Historic District. The publication highlights the park’s evolution and its significance in the city’s development over the last 250 years, featuring unique perspectives through Willcutt’s photography and historic maps. With a limited release, the book offers a deep insight into the social dynamics surrounding this iconic area and is recognized with the 2025 Bluegrass Trust Clay Lancaster Heritage Education Award.
Lexington, KY – A new book titled “Gratz Park” captures the deep history and significance of Gratz Park, the oldest park and Historic District in Lexington. The book, co-authored by historian Jeremy Popkin and photographer Bob Willcutt, details the evolution of the park and its role in the city’s development over the past 250 years.
Gratz Park is characterized as a microcosm of Lexington’s history, illustrating the city’s transformation from the late 18th century to contemporary times. Popkin, a history professor at the University of Kentucky, highlights how the park’s origins trace back to land initially designated for Transylvania University, which hosted its first two buildings on this site.
Originally known as the “college lot” because of its proximity to the university, Gratz Park has served as Lexington’s only open green space near downtown. The park’s future is safeguarded by a deed that restricts its use to educational purposes, ensuring it remains a community asset.
During the 19th century, while Transylvania University thrived, the park was in an area populated by a significant number of enslaved individuals and surrounded by hemp factories and rope walks. The landscape of Gratz Park transformed during the Civil War, when it became a gathering site for Union troops, with Union headquarters established in the nearby Bodley-Bullock house, while Confederate supporters congregated to the south.
The park’s history further reflects the social and racial dynamics of its time. Benjamin Gratz, a pivotal figure in its history, fenced it off during the period of segregation and enforced a discriminatory policy with signage stating ‘no dogs or negros allowed.’ Gratz Park was initially named Centennial Park when it opened in 1876 to celebrate the Centennial of the Declaration of Independence, but it became informally known as Gratz Park due to its ties to Benjamin Gratz, a notable local figure who was Lexington’s first Jewish resident and a slave owner.
Over the years, Gratz Park has faced various developmental threats, including a proposed highway that would have disrupted the area. Public advocacy for the park’s preservation led to the establishment of Lexington’s first historic preservation organization and ultimately marked Gratz Park as the city’s inaugural historic district.
Willcutt’s photography endeavors to capture Gratz Park from diverse perspectives and lighting conditions, showcasing its year-round beauty and incorporating drone technology for a unique aerial view. The book includes restored historic maps, drawings, and paintings, which are essential for depicting the historical context of Gratz Park.
Acknowledged with the 2025 Bluegrass Trust Clay Lancaster Heritage Education Award, this publication is touted as the definitive professional account of Lexington’s history, released in the year celebrating the city’s 250th anniversary. A limited number of 500 copies are available for collectors looking to own a piece of local history.
Readers can find the book for sale at various local stores and online retailers. Additionally, a book signing event is planned for May 28, 2025, at the LexHistory Museum, featuring Mayor Linda Gorton, Dr. Jeremy Popkin, and Bob Willcutt, where attendees can engage with the authors and discuss the significance of Gratz Park.
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- Kentucky Sports News
- Wikipedia: Gratz Park
- Fayette County News
- Google Search: Gratz Park Lexington
- Visit Lex: Free Attractions
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lexington Kentucky
- Lex18 News
- Google News: Lexington events
- WKYT News
- Google Scholar: Gratz Park history
