Early registration has been extended for the “Preservation Trailblazers 50th Anniversary Celebration” planned Friday, Oct. 14 in downtown Frankfort, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and Kentucky Heritage Council/State Historic Preservation Office (KHC). The event is presented by KHC and Liberty Hall Historic Site (LHHS).
Concurrent sessions exploring Kentucky’s historic preservation legacy will take place from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Orlando Brown House at LHHS and the Old State Capitol, both National Historic Landmarks. These include a walking tour of downtown Frankfort and sessions about Kentucky Women in Historic House Preservation, the Archaeological and Cultural Resource Legacy of Preserving Red River Gorge, Tourism and Economic Development Through the Preservation of Rural Historic Resources, Section 106 of the NHPA: How One Paragraph Changed Kentucky’s Future, Archaeology and Historic Sites, The Evolution and Revitalization of Kentucky’s Main Streets, and the National Register of Historic Places: Telling Kentucky’s Stories.
A keynote lunch will feature David L. Morgan, retired Kentucky state historic preservation officer 1984-2006. The main event, “Preservation Trailblazers,” will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the historic Grand Theatre, an interactive conversation among some of the leaders of Kentucky’s historic preservation movement over five decades. A closing celebration will immediately follow on the grounds of Liberty Hall, with barbecue and burgoo, music by The Leestown String Band, and Buffalo Trace bourbon. Full-day registration includes two complimentary drink tickets.
Registration of $66 has been extended through Oct. 12, and pays tribute to the signing of the NHPA on Oct. 15, 1966 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Registration includes a continental breakfast, box lunch and closing celebration. A ticket for the Preservation Trailblazers evening panel and closing celebration only is $25.
Register at www.libertyhall.org and see a complete schedule of events at www.heritage.ky.gov.
The conference is open to the public including anyone interested in sustainability, conservation, good community planning and design, or preserving buildings and local historic sites. Sessions will focus on current challenges and tools to assist individuals and communities heading into the next 50 years.
Program presented with support from the Owsley Brown II Family Foundation, Trailblazer sponsor; and The Kentucky Chapter of the National Society of Colonial Dames of America and Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation, Landmark sponsors; other partners are the Kentucky Historical Society, Preservation Kentucky, Kentucky Trust for Historic Preservation, Kentucky Main Street Program, Kentucky Division of Historic Properties, Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation, Preservation Louisville, Passport Radio, University of Kentucky College of Design Historic Preservation Program, Downtown Frankfort, Inc. Main Street, Franklin County Trust for Historic Preservation, Frankfort Transit and Frankfort Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites.