THE BLUE GRASS TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION ANNUAL AWARDS 2020 PRESERVATION CRAFTSMAN AWARD Given to a building industry craftsman who has exhibited a strong commitment to quality craftsmanship for historic buildings. GRANT LOGAN COPPER COPPER STEEPLE RESTORATION 1ST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Grant Logan Copper specializes in custom copper and sheet-metal fabrication on both new and historic buildings. Grant Logan, of Nicholasville, re-clad the steeple on First Presbyterian Church with copper sheeting. The historic church at 174 North Mill was built in 1872 by prominent local architect Cincinnatus Shryock and is listed on the Na- tional Register of Historic Places. Each piece of copper on the steeple had to be measured, shaped and cut by hand. Adding to the chal- lenge, work to remove the old metal sheeting, repair the wooden structure of the steeple, and then attach the new copper had to be done from a lift. As work neared the top of the 175 foot steeple, the lift was not tall enough to reach the top. Grant and his workmen had to build a ladder and attach it to the steeple to finish the last 15 feet. PUBLIC SERVICE TO PRESERVATION AWARD Given to a government agency or official for service to preservation movement or to a specific project. PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS PROGRAM- LFUCG The Lexington Fayette Urban County Gov- ernment’s Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program is turning twenty this year. The programs mission is to preserve central Kentucky’s farmland by preventing future development from occurring on participat- ing properties. In addition to protecting our natural resources, it also is a friend of historic preservation by encouraging owners to pre- serve and maintain historic aspects of their farmland, such as stone fences and outbuild- ings. It promotes these features as assets that can be used for additional points for eligibili- ty to participate in the program. Mel Stewart Hankla grew up in the small town of Jamestown, Kentucky on the banks of Lake Cumberland. The founder of American Historic Services LLC, he is a noted collector, research- er, lecturer and writer of Kentucky’s heritage. He has been editor of American Tradition magazine. He is a builder of traditional Kentucky Longrifles and in 1984 was awarded a National Endowment of the Arts Folk Art Apprenticeship grant to study with legendary rifle smith Hershel House. A historical actor/ed- ucator, he worked 20 years with the Kentucky Humanities Council presenting characters of frontiersman Simon Kenton and General George Rogers Clark. In 2012 he was cast for the leading role in the PBS documentary, An Audacious American, the story of Kentucky abolitionist Cassius Marcellus Clay. He has been an appraiser for Kentucky Educational Televisions popular show, “Kentucky Col- lectibles.”Hankla serves on the Museum Board of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and on the Advisory Board of the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA). CLAY LANCASTER HERITAGE EDUCATION AWARD Given to an individual or group for service in researching and disseminating information about the Central Kentucky region. MEL STEWART HANKLA, ED.D He is a member of the Kentucky Material Culture Collectors and the American Society of Arms Collectors. Today, Hankla lives on Heavenly Hill Farm in Carter County, Kentucky with his wife Angela. During the last forty years private collectors of Kentucky’s decorative arts and ma- terial culture have assembled collections, collaborated with each other, and culti- vated a renewed appreciation of those artifacts that best tell the stories of our early Kentucky ancestors. In the last decade museums have begun to showcase these ear- ly Kentucky artifacts because of the expertise, passion and generosity of collectors like Mel Hankla. The intense study of the artifacts and determination to learn more about not only the original owners, but also those who made them, have enriched our understanding of Kentucky’s past and our own heritage. Dr. Hankla’s Into the Bluegrass: Art and Artistry of Kentucky’s Historic Icons teaches us about the items that were not only necessary for survival of those early pioneers, but also embel- lished their lives with each artifact’s distinct beauty. This important work elevates our understanding and appreciation of our material culture, while connecting the artifacts with the real history of those who cherished these treasures. COMMUNITY PRESERVATION AWARD Given to a non-governmental group or individual for service to the preservation movement or to a special preservation project. KENTUCKY COLONELS The Blue Grass Trust is honoring the Kentucky Colonels, a voluntary philanthropic organization, for their Good Works Program Grants. The Ken- tucky Colonels have given numerous historic preservation grants in the central Kentucky area, sometimes multiple grants to the same organizations. The Blue Grass Trust received Good Works Program Grants in 2010 and 2013. The Kentucky Colonels truly embody their mission to “act as the Gov- ernor’s ambassadors of Kentucky heritage and rich history…” by donating to at least 25 central Kentucky groups or projects since 1970. BARBARA HULETTE AWARD For efforts in preservation of Central Ken- tucky’s history, heritage, built environment, landscape, archaeological resources, sense of community or significant endeavors. THE AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE TRAIL- TOGETHER LEXINGTON Located in downtown Lexington, the African American Heritage Trails was sponsored by Together Kentucky and re- searched and created by eighteen historians and community members. The trail, a self-guided tour with a map of sign lo- cations located at Courthouse Square, consists of 12 signs and tells the African American story in Lexington’s community, and has been a source of education for Lex- ington’s residents and tourists since 2018. Signs cover events that stretch from slavery, through Jim Crow discrimination, to the Civil Rights era. They feature prominent members of Lexington’s community and share their stories and accomplishments. The signs are placed in front of areas where the events they display originally occurred. The African American Heritage Trail has been featured in articles in the Herald Leader, and on KET. Together Kentucky is a collaboration of more than a dozen community businesses, non-profits, and community organizations. In 2017, Together Kentucky held a series of forums called Courageous Conversations, and one product of those forums was the African American Heritage Trail. The subcommittee in charge of researching and writing content for the signage originally produced 40 different topics, which were then narrowed down to 12. SPONSORS SIGNAGE COMMITTEE Barry Bishop (Regional Vice President Windstream Communications) Yvonne Giles Carla Blanton (Owner Carla Blanton Consulting) PG Peeples Sheri Evans Depp (Director of HR and Global Talent Management for Dr. Gerald Smith Lexmark International) Juanita Betz Peterson Bill Farmer (CEO United Way of the Bluegrass) Rev. Clark Williams Rufus M. Friday (Former President and CEO of Herald-Leader, Special Thomas Tolliver Assistant to The President at Kentucky Community and Technical Councilman James Brown College System) James Klotter Larry Hall (CEO Hall Media Inc) Dr. Randolph Hollingsworth Larry Jones (Central Region President Community Trust Bank) DeBraun Thomas Dr. August Julian (President Bluegrass Community and Technical Billie Mallory College) Dr. Terry Birdwhistell Brian McCarty and Bruce Drake (Partners Bluegrass Hospitality Group) Linda Carroll Sam Mitchell (CEO and Director Valvoline) Craig Bencz Jeff Murphy (VP Marketing and Communications KentuckyOne Health) Jennifer Wuorenmaa Mary Quinn Ramer (President VisitLEX) Ed Holmes Any Shea (President and CEO Lexington Legends Baseball) Carla Blanton Rufus Friday BARBARA HULETTE AWARD For efforts in preservation of Central Kentucky’s history, heritage, built environment, landscape, archaeological resources, sense of community or significant endeavors. COMMUNITY VENTURES CORPORATION: MILLERSBURG ALLEN HOUSE Community Ventures Corporation is being recognized for its efforts to breathe new life into the former Millersburg Military Institute, and more spe- cifically, for the renovation and preservation of the main administration building known as Allen House. Millersburg Military Institute was a military boarding school founded in 1893 in the small Bourbon County community of Millersburg. It survived for more than 100 years until closing in 2006 due to declining student enrollment. Subsequent attempts were made to restart the school but none of them were successful. In November 2016, Community Ventures purchased the property and set out to restore the campus, save the distressed buildings and bring new life back to this once thriving community. The campus has a new name too: Mustard Seed Hill. It is a reference to the biblical parable that something great can grow from something as small as a mustard seed. The centerpiece of the new campus is the newly renovated Allen House, an excellent represen- tation of a Greek Revival dwelling. The impressive 2-story structure was constructed in 1852 for William Nunn, a prominent citizen of Millersburg. It would later become the president’s house and administration building for the military academy. Community Ventures has transformed it into an event space ideal for weddings, receptions, banquets and other special events. “When we can include historic structures in the economic engines of a com- munity, then we can insure their future preservation