BGT Staff: Sheila Omer Ferrell, Executive Director e Blue Grass Trust Jason Sloan, Historic Preservation Specialist for Historic Preservation 253 Market Street Lexington, Kentucky 40507 Part-Time Staff: Becky Eblen, Preservation Associate Anne E. Wright, Preservation Assistant Heather Lamplough, Intern, UK Historic Message from our President: Saved and Ready for Re-Sale: Greetings from Market Street e Magnificent Willis Green House in Danville s e Blue Grass Trust starts a new BGT 2013 - 2014 year, I am excited about the opportu- nity to serve as President. e Blue Board of Directors A Grass Trust has taken the lead over the last Tom Meng, President three years in the many issues facing the Lex- Maureen Peters, Vice President ington community and central Bluegrass area Jessica Case, Secretary on issues of historic preservation. It’s impossible to recount the many individual successes over n 1955, the Blue Grass Trust for Randall Miloszewski, CPA, Treasurer the last three years, but it has by any measure I Historic Preservation was founded Linda Carroll, Past President been the result of the incomparable dedication when an architecturally significant house, Laura Crume and leadership of Linda Carroll as President. home to historic Kentucky leaders, was Beverly Fortune On behalf of everyone, we extend our heartfelt saved from demolition by citizens of the newly-formed BGT. The Hunt-Morgan Andrea Gottler thanks and look forward to her continued in- volvement and wise counsel. House, the cornerstone of Gratz Park, is Marcia Gray living testament to 58 years of good John Hackworth My interest in historic preservation was deeds by the Trust, its membership, and David Harper forced on me at an early age when I spent an Tom Meng, the citizens of Lexington. Joseph Hillenmeyer entire summer during high school as the la- borer for the contractors who were doing the Blue Grass Trust Board President In 2013, the Blue Grass Trust and a con- Mike Meuser restoration work on an early family home into sortium of historic preservationists came Andrew Moore which our family was moving. e mess of the friendships were made with Pete Laughlin, the together when an architecturally significant Tom Moore demolition and tear-out work made it hard to Kerrs, Duffields, Dot Crutcher and many oth- house, home to historic Kentucky leaders, Pamela Perlman imagine the home as suitable for human habi- ers. rough it all, we all loved and still love e needed to be saved from demolition. The N. Gregory Pettit tation. e work was at last completed, and Blue Grass Trust as the force that would con- Willis Green House in Danville, one of along with the joy of moving, was a sense of tinue to educate and advocate on behalf of his- the very few surviving Kentucky Georgian W. Gay Reading pride and accomplishment in having pre- toric preservation. Today, 35 years later, the mansions, was purchased at an absolute Fran Taylor served this beautiful house. downtown landscape and environment has ex- auction on June 8 for $87,200 by the con- Barbara Tilghman perienced a quantum change for the better. So sortium that included the BGT, the James Later, after graduation from law school and many of the formerly deteriorated structures Harrod Trust in Harrodsburg, the Crutcher Advisory Board marriage, my wife Nancy and I began looking have been restored to their full potential, and Family Foundation in Lexington, and An- for our first home. Neither of us had an inter- downtown has become an entertainment desti- gela and Jess Correll of First Southern Barbara Hulette, Chair est in buying a new house, and being short on nation and fashionable place to live. Bank in Stanford. e group bought the Clyde Carpenter money and long on energy we gravitated to house, located at 120 West Erskine Av- Richard DeCamp looking in the South Hill and Western Sub- e issues facing the historic preservation com- enue, to ensure it could never be demol- Ann Garden urb neighborhoods. We settled on a house on munity continue unabated, and through the ished. ey took possession as of July 8 Gay Darsie Glenn West Short Street which needed everything loyal support of our members, the Board and and have secured the house and removed and in 1978 became proud owners facing a lot staff of e Blue Grass Trust will continue to overgrowth from the exterior. John Hackworth of work. meet the challenges with a thoughtful and firm Nancy Iliff approach. Our work is accomplished through What’s next for the Willis Green House? Susan Jackson Keig At the time, the Gratz Park neighborhood was the efforts of those on our various volunteer The historic house and its 2+ acres are for Zee Faulkner Kurfees well established and served as a beacon for what committees. We encourage you to volunteer for sale for $87, 200 to someone who is able to restore it. Easements will be put on the Gloria Martin could be achieved in the other neighborhoods. work on these committees and to participate in A handful of houses had been restored in the the numerous social events sponsored by e house when it is sold to prevent it from Mike Meuser South Hill neighborhood and on West Short Blue Grass Trust during the year, and in partic- ever being torn down. Joyce Ockerman Street. The North Limestone, Woodward ular, to take advantage of the opportunity for Foster Pettit Heights and many other downtown areas were inside tours of our many local historic proper- Interested, qualified buyers may call W. Gay Reading similarly blighted by the deterioration of the ties under the efforts of the award winning de- (859)221-1514 for information. historic structures and criminal activities. Tours Committee. These events are on the www.willisgreenhouse.com Sharon Reed first Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m., Daniel Rowland Oh, the fun we had as urban pioneers. e and you will find them both educational and James Thomas neighborhood was full of others with similar fun. In any case, watch your emails for the Vivian Weil determination, and bonds formed with every- many notices of upcoming events sponsored by one working toward the same goal. Lifelong e Blue Grass Trust. You’ll be glad you did. 2 Preservation Matters | Summer 2013 | www.bluegrasstrust.org Preservation Matters | Summer 2013 | www.bluegrasstrust.org 3 BGT-PM-Aug-8-13-FINAL:Layout 1 8/20/13 11:35 AM Page 5 November 15, 5 to 8 p.m. Gallery Hop BGT Calendar of • It was difficult to know what materials when they review an H-1 application and at Hunt-Morgan House Congratulations & Welcome Ashland Park! the Council members had been given they are not charged with deciding whether Presented in cooperation with LexArts prior to the hearing. Clearly, the study historic districts should or should not be a Upcoming Events! th Free & open to the public Lexington’s 15 Local Historic District that was done by the Office of Historic part of Lexington’s planning and zoning Preservation should have been available process. That has already been September to them. at study is required under the decided in the affirmative. It would be December September 4, 5:30 p.m. BGT deTour zoning ordinance and the Council is re- as if a judge decided that drunk driving December 4, 5:30 p.m. Walking Tour of Bell Court, deTour BGT deTour: Abraham Barton House, begins at Bell House, 545 Sayre Ave. 200 N. Upper Street @ Second St AfterHour @ Thoroughbred Antique The Council also declared “as (current home of Gallery, food and beverage DelCotto Law Group) compliments of Jerry Shrout. a matter of public policy that … Free & open to the public Free & open to the public the use of historic districts … December 4, 7 to 10 p.m. September 18, 6 to 9 p.m. BGT Members Holiday Party PAWS 4 Preservation are public necessities”. at Hunt-Morgan House, Atomic Café Patio, n important event for historic preser- other proponents who spoke at the Council 201 N. Mill Street, 265 Limestone (@ Third Street) A vation in Lexington occurred on Jan- hearing were eloquent and convincing. Finally, BGT Members: $50 per person uary 22, 2013. e Lexington-Fayette Urban the members of the Urban County Council Pet the Night Away at a BGT Members 35 & Under: $35 p/p County Council approved the application of who voted to approve the application are de- Fun & Furry Party! th quired to review it. It was unclear as to should not be a crime and dismissed all Non-members: $100 p/p Ashland Park to become Lexington’s 15 serving of our appreciation. whether copies of the study had been drunk driving charges pending before him/ Reservations: $15 for 1 person & 1 pet, (includes one year historic district. As most of the readers of given to each Council person or whether her. at would be a violation of the judge’s $50/single membership) $20 for non-members this newsletter understand, applying a historic This was a learning experience for everyone. other relevant materials were available for duty to apply the laws as written. Similarly, and @ the Door overlay is the primary vehicle for ensuring that We came away from the hearing with some their review. whether a member of the Planning Com- Includes Contests, Giveaways & Snacks our historic properties are preserved. As we things to consider and work on when the next mission or Urban County Council agrees January, 2014 learn almost every day, historic properties historic district application comes down the for Pets & People; Cash Bar • Finally, it was disturbing to hear at with the concept of historic districts should *January 8, 5:30 p.m.