Every historic building has a story to tell
It’s been years since anxiety gripped me about getting lost in Kentucky. Back when I succumbed to those fears, it was my driving skills that should have caused nervousness, not the likelihood that a wrong turn would result in me getting hopelessly lost for days. County roads meander like a crop of morning glories across (read more)
A recent article on Facebook listing 12 beautiful barns in the Bluegrass caught my eye the other day. Excited, I clicked, scrolled, and then I sighed. While I am always happy to see articles extolling Kentucky’s amazing buildings, I didn’t think this list was…all that great. I am in a different position than many when (read more)
As a child coming to Lexington, I was always fascinated by the buildings I saw in the distance, even more so then the lovely historic homes that lined the roadway. North Broadway/Paris Pike was our main route into town most days, and back on Loudon Avenue was a large, brick angled structure with signs painted (read more)
Categories: Bluegrass, Farming, Fayette County, Kentucky architecture, Lexington
Tags: #burleytobacco, #EBDrake, #kentuckyarchitecture, #tobaccowarehouse
The vestiges of our past are scattered all around the Kentucky landscape – even if you must sometimes you must venture off of the paved road to find them. Rural Hart County presented such a detour – and the additional dubious joys of rampant poison ivy and snakes. But it was worth it to document (read more)
There are as many origin stories about the names of Kentucky’s small towns and crossroad communities as there are these spots on the map. Sometimes the postmaster (or postmistress) got to choose the name. Perhaps a nearby industry inspired the name of a place, or a popular elected officials. I had a wonderful cousin named (read more)
I imagine the phrase “revolutionary architecture” conjures up a myriad of differing images for people – or maybe just a blank stare. Architects willing to experiment with materials, form, and site have transformed both our cities and domestic spaces, but a progressive design is not always so palatable to its neighbors, or indeed, the occupants (read more)
Politics in today’s world can be a disagreeable affair, to put it nicely. Historically the same is true, I think, but the difference was that occasionally the candidates had to work, either before holding elected office, or after. (I realize Jessie Ventura made quite a mark for himself as a wrestler, but he is a (read more)
There are some abandoned buildings I’ve sadly grown used to seeing: houses, barns, stores, and old garages. Our crossroads communities across Kentucky boast these types by the hundreds (if not the thousands). For some reason, though, I encounter abandoned bank buildings less frequently. And I’m always surprised when I do. Banks exude an air of (read more)
When most people think of the study of historic architecture, they may first think of architectural styles – the embellishments or ornamentation added to a house, like a Greek Revival portico or Queen Anne spindles. Sometimes, however, the form (the shape) or plan (the layout) of a house is much more interesting and significant. One (read more)
Categories: Historic Preservation, Kentucky architecture, Louisville, Vernacular
A house, from the outside, reveals only a portion of its true character. Details – like intricately carved brackets, or a romantic-looking bay window – lead the viewer down one path of speculation, but upon opening the door, you tumble, like Alice, down a rabbit hole of a completely different house. Sketching out the story (read more)
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