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Kentucky Heritage Council

America250KY Grants

​America250KY

The Kentucky Heritage Council’s (KHC) America250KY 2025-26 grants aim to support the physical preservation of historic properties in Kentucky that reflect on broad themes associated with America’s 250-year history. This grant opportunity is being administered by the KHC on behalf of the Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) and the Kentucky Sestercentennial Commission​.

As the United States prepares to celebrate the 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, the KHS, KHC and partners across the commonwealth are exploring the history of the state from the nation’s founding to today.

This commemoration will recognize the people, places, and events over the past 250 years that created our shared history. It will also allow us to examine Kentucky’s role in the development of the United States and how our country’s ideals of freedom, liberty, and justice have evolved since 1776.

Through educational programs, preservation projects and statewide events and activities, we will celebrate our history while considering what it means to be a Kentuckian.
For more information, visit history.ky.gov/participate/america250ky​

Themes of the America250KY

The success of this application is based on several factors, including how well the five America250KY themes are included within the project. The themes include:

  • ​Revolutionary Experiment | Our founding mothers and fathers did not have all the answers. They knew America was a revolutionary experiment and they expected future generations to improve upon their work. The four editions of the Kentucky constitution serve as a prime example of this experiment as people advocated for their inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This history is not always uphill, but full of both advancements and setbacks. This theme allows us to reflect on Kentucky’s and the nation’s founding ideals and encourages discussions about our democracy and civic institutions.
  • We The People | Since the settlement of Kentucky lands by Native groups, what it means to be a Kentuckian has changed. The definition and process of citizenship has altered drastically over the past 250 years in both Kentucky and the United States. Today, there are many different people that call Kentucky home.
  • Power of Place | Our natural and built environments shape our identities. Over the past 250 years, our environment and those that reside in it, have changed. Across the regions of Kentucky today, how people identify with the Commonwealth varies. Although our experiences and perspectives differ from region to region, we all share history. This history allows us to draw similarities between different places to help us better understand the past and present.
  • Crossroads in History | Since 1776, Kentucky has stood at the crossroads of multiple historic movements, from westward expansion, the Civil War, the Trail of Tears, the Underground Railroad, the Great Migration, and more. Moreover, Kentucky’s political and cultural output has expanded far beyond the state, influencing our nation’s history and broader social trends.
  • Doing History | By exploring state and local history during the 250th, Kentuckians can use the past to better understand our roles and responsibilities within our communities today. To accomplish this, Kentuckians can visit museums and historic sites and discuss why history is important today. By engaging with history, we become better informed citizens who understand where America has been and where it’s going.
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America250KY | Round 1 Grant Recipients

History of Transportation in Kentucky:

• Allen County: The Louisville & Nashville Railroad Passenger Station in Scottsville, KY is an example of rural transportation that fostered faster importation & exportation of goods. The rail line created an avenue for opening new markets for local businesses and making supplies more available. This project will be awarded $9,370.00 to fund the exterior trim, signage, and accents, including the corbels. 

History of Local Government and Civic Space in Kentucky: 

• Caldwell County: The Caldwell County Courthouse in western Kentucky is being awarded $40,795 to mount and display the historic bell on the courthouse lawn at the center of town. This bell was displaced when the previous courthouse burned during the Civil War. 

History of Architecture and Design in Kentucky: 

• Fayette County: The Pope Villa is noted for its unique design and its rarity. The villa was planned in 1810-1811 by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, who was America's first professional architect. This project is being awarded $176,539.35 to remove the temporary steel structure and construct a new roof and associated structural elements that will help stabilize the house.

History of Emancipation and Civil Rights in Kentucky: 

• Henry County: The International Order of Odd Fellows, Washington Lodge #1513 was founded in 1872 by former enslaved persons; virtually all other fraternal organizations of the era were whites-only. The GUOOF provided vital support to its members and the local black community following the Civil War. Its work continues to the present. This lodge is the only active GUOOF lodge in Kentucky and is one of the oldest African American fraternal organizations in the state. Located in a small town in central Kentucky, this project is being awarded $100,000 for restoring framing, plumbing and electrical work along with the addition of a bathroom. This will allow this building to be functional and generate income for the continued preservation of the building. 

History of the Building Trades in Kentucky: 

• Kenton County: The Queen-Anne style house owned by the Enzweiler Building Institute is a living laboratory to train students in traditional crafts and the rehabilitation of historic buildings is being awarded $10,000 to replace the roof and repair rafters.

​History of Faith in Kentucky’s Settlement Era: 

• Logan County: The Red River Meeting House in western Kentucky is a reconstructed log meeting house where early American religious practices coalesced into a movement known as “The Great Revival,” which transformed Kentucky and then the nation. It is being awarded $13,300 to install an ADA accessible handicap ramp.

History of Agriculture in Kentucky: 

• Mercer County: The Thomas Logan House in central Kentucky is an early example of brick construction in a period of mostly log construction. It is located in an agrarian setting and was the residence of an early historic farm. It is being awarded $13,000 to repair the windows, dormers, and plaster damaged by wind. 

History of Community Building in Kentucky: 

• Union County: St. Ambrose Church in western Kentucky is a small rural Kentucky Landmark church built in 1830 that has served the entire community through settlement, war, reconstruction, social change and modern development in western Kentucky. The award of $16,995.65 will be used to level its floor joists and to install new subflooring. The church will fund the new hardwood flooring installed on top of the subfloor. 
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Before and After of St. Ambrose Church rehabiliation
St. Ambrose Church | Before and After

History of Early Settlement and State Government in Kentucky:

• Woodford County: The Crittenden Cabin is the birthplace of Governor John J. Crittenden is being awarded $120,000. Threatened with demolition, this grant will allow this structure to be relocated and preserved in a public location where its historic significance can be interpreted and appreciated.​

America250KY  | Round 2 Grant Recipients

Women’s History in Kentucky

Nannine Clay Wallis House (Bourbon County) | $125,000
Built in 1851, this historic home serves as the headquarters of the Garden Club of Kentucky and reflects the long-standing efforts of women volunteering to protect Kentucky’s natural, scenic and cultural resources. Funding will support repointing the chimneys, installing new storm windows and restoring the foundation, roof, gutters, soffits, trim and flashing.

History of Agrarian Commerce in the Settlement Period 

Isaac Tate House / Homeplace on the Green River (Taylor County) | $45,643
Built in 1803, the Isaac Tate House stands on a historic farm where visitors can experience early agricultural life. This grant will support interior restoration so the house can once again host community gatherings and educational events.

Kentucky’s Military Heritage: World War II and Korean War

Clark County Veterans Monument (Clark County) | $33,000 
For two decades, the Clark County Veterans Council has worked to honor 96 local heroes who lost their lives in World War II and the Korean War. This award supports the completion of the construction of this military heritage monument, including granite markers, brickwork, final grading and sodding.

Kentucky’s Military Heritage: Vietnam War

Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Franklin County) | $24,500
Dedicated in 1988, this memorial overlooks the state Capitol and bears the names of 1,109 Kentuckians who died in the Vietnam War. The award will restore weathered elements, including plaque lettering, glass kiosk covers and lighting.
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The New Deal in Eastern Kentucky

Beattyville WPA Building (Lee County) | $75,000
Constructed in the 1930s under the New Deal, this building anchors the Beattyville National Register Historic District and has long served as a civic hub and home of the Main Street program. Funding will restore interior spaces heavily damaged by two major floods using flood-resistant materials and elevate electrical and HVAC systems to prevent future flood damage.
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America’s War on Poverty in Kentucky

LBJ War on Poverty Interpretive Exhibit (Martin County) | $20,000
In 1964, when one in five Americans lived in poverty and this coal-mining area had poverty rates of 60%, President Lyndon B. Johnson visited Inez, Kentucky, to give a face to poverty.  President Johnson declared an “unconditional War on Poverty,” placing Martin County at the center of a national movement that shaped federal policy for decades and included programs like Medicaid, Medicare, Head Start, food stamps, more spending on education and tax cuts to help create jobs. This award will help create two permanent interpretive exhibits to engage students, residents and visitors.​

Kentucky’s Sports Heritage

Weyland Historic Society / Mountain Sports Hall of Fame / BitSourceKY (Floyd County) | $20,000
This project partnership will help develop a permanent interactive exhibit celebrating coal camp life and small-town sports heritage. Features will include maps, timelines, artifacts, video and a searchable database of more than 350 regional teams across more than 30 counties. The exhibit will open alongside the restoration of the landmark Weyland gym, where Kentucky basketball legend King Kelly Coleman played.

The History of Destination Travel in Kentucky 

Darby House / Dawson Hotel (Hopkins County) | $100,000
The Darby House, also known as the Dawson Hotel, was built in the 1880s. It was the office and home of Dr. A.G. Darby, the community’s first physician, and also served as a boarding house. With its world-renowned mineral springs, the city of Dawson Springs drew visitors from around the world, becoming one of the country’s leading spa and resort destinations. This grant will assist in stabilizing and preserving the last standing building from this era, as the building needs significant repair, including porch reconstruction, siding repair, window replacement and repainting.

The History of Public Safety in Kentucky

Old Central Fire Station Town Clock (Christian County) | $50,650
A defining fixture of the Hopkinsville skyline, the century-old town clock requires stabilization and repairs. Funding will support storm-damage repair, brick repointing and accurate replacement of rotted windows and doors. The building hosts events and will continue to serve the community by becoming a children’s museum.

Kentucky’s Military Heritage: Revolutionary War

Revolutionary War Soldiers Memorial (Crittenden County) | $6,207
Ten Revolutionary War soldiers lie in unmarked graves in Crittenden County. The Crittenden County Historical Society will use this funding to create a granite memorial and interpretive signage detailing the soldiers’ lives and their migration routes across Kentucky.

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Crediting the Kentucky Historical Society, the Kentucky Heritage Council and America250KY

Grant recipients must give credit to the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Heritage Council in all published materials, both print and electronic, that are a result of funds received from the America250KY preservation grant. Materials include published research, literature, exhibits, websites, advertisements and promotions, news releases, articles, printed programs, flyers, posters, catalogues, film/video, public broadcasts, and any other publicity materials. Appropriate logos and wording of credits will be provided in the grant agreement form upon receiving grant funds. It is important that the public be made aware of the use of tax dollars for America250KY projects.

 

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Other America250KY Grants:

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