Boyle Landmark Trust honored by state preservation organization

Published 8:06 am Tuesday, June 30, 2020

BGT

News release

Photo contributed

Boyle Landmark Trust was honored by the Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation during its annual awards presentations on June 28.

Email newsletter signup

BLT was given the Lucy Graves Advocacy Award, which is given annually to an individual or group who has exhibited advocacy leadership in supporting the historic preservation movement in Central Kentucky.

According to a news release, Boyle Landmark Trust was founded in 1971 by Cecil Dulin Wallace to preserve Merchants’ Row in Perryville. For many years, Wallace primarily did the work of the Trust single-handedly due to its lack of members. 

It began as a group of people interested in preservation, yet in 2011, it became a membership organization, and today boasts 350 members. 

Over the past 50 years, the Landmark Trust has saved historic structures throughout Boyle County. One of those is the Willis Russell Log Cabin. Willis Russell was a freed enslaved person who, from the early 1800s through the 1830s, taught freed blacks as well as whites to read. The cabin was one of the original structures built by pioneers when they left the Wilderness Trail. 

The Trust has worked with individuals and other organizations including Centre College to prevent numerous buildings on Main Street from being razed, one reason for downtown Danville’s historically intact streetscape. 

The Landmark Trust is a 501C3 organization. In 2014, it began a plaque program for any house or building at least 100 years old. Work continues on raising money for the revolving fund.

In February, the Trust received $10,000 from the 1772 Foundation for a feasibility study to find a neglected property worthy of saving On Nov. 13, it plans to host a conference to focus on the economic importance of historic preservation.

The BGT also presented two organizations with the Barbara Hulette Award. Hulette lives in Danville and is active with several preservation organizations, including the Boyle Landmark Trust and Preservation Kentucky. Even though she is the namesake of the award, Hulette does not choose the recipient each year.

The Barbara Hulette Award is given for efforts in preservation of Central Kentucky’s history, heritage, built environment, landscape, archaeological resources, sense of community or significant endeavors. 

This year the awards were presented to the African American Heritage Trail and the Community Ventures Corporation for the Millersburg Military Institute Allen House Renovation.

Other awards given include:

  • Preservation Craftsman Award for the copper steeple restoration for First Presbyterian Church and is given to a building industry craftsman who has exhibited a strong commitment to quality craftsmanship for historic buildings.
  • Public Service to Preservation Award to Lexington Fayettte Urban County Government for the purchase of Development Right program which is given to a government agency or official for service to the preservation movement or to a specific project.
  • Clay Lancaster Heritage Education Award to Mel Stewart Hankla, Ed.D, for his self-published book about Kentucky objects he had in a booth at AGS, “Into the Bluegrass: Artistry of Kentucky’s Icons.” which is given to an individual or group for service in researching and disseminating information about the Central Kentucky region.
  • Community Preservation Award to the Kentucky Colonels, given to a non-governmental group or individual for service to the preservation movement or to a special preservation project.
  • Lucy Shropshire Crump Volunteer Award to Jerry Daniels (deTours), given to an individual or group who has provided exemplary service to the Blue Grass Trust throughout the year.
  • Clyde Carpenter Adaptive Re-use Award to Sav’s Grill and Sig Luscher (brewery in Frankfort.)

Given for outstanding efforts towards the rehabilitation and adaptive re-use of a building or buildings with Central Kentucky.

  • Landscape Preservation Award to Lexington Cemetery, for the preservation, design, stewardship, restoration or enhancement of an historic cultural landscape in the Bluegrass.
  • John Wesley Hunt Award to Fred Mills, for lifetime service to the preservation movement in Central Kentucky.
  • Dot Crutcher Award to Gay Reading, for being an exemplary member of the Blue Grass Trust.