May is National Preservation Month!

Watch here for updates about the economic impact of preservation in Kentucky - and, be sure to mark your calendar for the 2012 Kentucky Historic Preservation Conference Sept. 20-22 in the Western Kentucky Lakes Region and host communities of Princeton, Dawson Springs and Eddyville/Kuttawa. This year’s theme, Our Towns: Partnering Regionally, Preserving Locally, will highlight local and regional preservation strategies to address how to achieve success in a changing economy, challenges faced by smaller, rural communities, and solutions to common issues.

Preservation Works!

Does your legislator, local elected official, family member, friend or neighbor want to know more about historic preservation?  Would you like to learn about how current preservation projects across the state are creating jobs, attracting private investment, generating tax revenue, promoting environmental sustainability, contributing to community planning and improving our quality of life?  Then check out Preservation Works! Historic Preservation Projects and Case Studies [PDF - 976KB], produced by the Kentucky Heritage Council.  For a hard copy, e-mail Wendy Wheatcraft, planning and research coordinator, or call 502-564-7005, ext. 126.

Watch Now!
Historic Preservation: Saving Place [] is a historic preservation video starring Northern Kentucky’s favorite celebrity, Nick Clooney.  Watch as he and others describe the significance of historic places in their communities, the benefits of living and owning a business in a local historic district, and the importance of historic preservation in Northern Kentucky and throughout the Commonwealth.  This video was produced in 2011 by Barking Fish Lounge and funded by the city of Bellevue with the assistance of a Certified Local Government grant, provided by the National Park Service and U.S. Department of the Interior and administered by the Kentucky Heritage Council.

... to the Kentucky Heritage Council / State Historic Preservation Office Web site.  Our mission is to identify, preserve and protect the cultural resources of Kentucky.  Heritage Council staff administer all state and federal historic preservation and incentive programs in Kentucky, including the National Register of Historic Places.  Sixteen Kentucky Heritage Council members are appointed by the governor of the state to serve four year terms on the Heritage Council.  Council members live across the state representing the citizens of the Commonwealth and engaging in historic preservation projects.

The Heritage Council is a repository of a priceless assemblage of survey forms, maps, photographs and other images in its unique archival collection of inventories of historic structures and archaeological sites in the state.  Our rural heritage is highlighted in a variety of programs including the Kentucky Crossroads Rural Heritage Development Initiative, an rural preservation/economic development partnership with Preservation Kentucky.  The Kentucky Archaeological Survey, a partnership with the University of Kentucky Department of Anthropology, promotes the preservation of archaeological sites and educates the public about protecting these resources.

The Heritage Council seeks to build a greater awareness of Kentucky's historic places and to encourage the long-term preservation of Kentucky's significant cultural resources.  Kentucky leads the nation in the number of Preserve America communities, is fourth in the number of properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and administers the federal and statewide rehabilitation tax credit programs.

• Register now for hands-on window preservation workshops in June, July
  Thursday, April 26, 2012
  Two summer workshops at Pine Mountain Settlement School will focus on the preservation of historic steel and wood windows, offering hands-on experience and instruction in practical, modern rehabilitation techniques. "Preservation of Steel Windows" will take place June 10-15, and "Preservation of Wood Windows" is planned July 15-20.
• Proposals for educational sessions, gallery presentations sought for 2012 Kentucky Historic Preservation Conference
  Friday, March 16, 2012
  Proposals for educational sessions and gallery presentations in a multimedia format are invited for the 2012 Kentucky Historic Preservation Conference, planned Sept. 20-22 in the Western Kentucky Lakes Region and host communities of Princeton, Dawson Springs and Eddyville/Kuttawa. This year’s theme is Our Towns: Partnering Regionally, Preserving Locally.
• 29th Annual Kentucky Heritage Council Archaeology Conference convenes this weekend at Mammoth Cave National Park
  Friday, March 16, 2012
  A customized tour of Mammoth Cave will highlight the 29th Annual Kentucky Heritage Council Archaeology Conference this weekend at Mammoth Cave National Park. The conference is the primary opportunity for professional archaeologists working in Kentucky to share research, project updates and important findings from their investigation of historic and prehistoric archaeological sites across the state.