America250KY Grants

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.

America250KY

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.

Eligibility Requirements – The following may apply:

Applicable local government agencies, and 501(c)3 not-for-profit institutions are eligible for grant funds; examples include local history organizations, public libraries, educational institutions. Those who are NOT eligible include for-profit businesses and private individuals.

Eligible entities must register a vendor account through VSS (vendor self-service) and provide their vendor number with the Application along with a completed Annual Affidavit (PDF, 233KB).

Criteria

Examples of eligible projects include:

Meaningful preservation projects that commemorate state and local history on or around July 4, 2026
Brick-and-mortar projects
Heritage conservation projects
Interpretive signs
Events and public programs focused on historic properties
Preservation focused educational programs

Projects that are NOT eligible include:

Building maintenance, utilities, grounds keeping, insurance costs, interest or debt payments, or other projects that KHS considers to fall under an organizations’ day-to-day or administrative operations
Personnel, payroll, or benefits
Purchasing collections
State historical markers
Fundraising events
Oral history projects (the Kentucky Oral History Commission, administered by the Kentucky Historical Society, already offers a variety of grants for the preservation and creation of oral histories; see history.ky.gov for more information)

Application scoring is based on the following:

Relevance of project to America250KY themes (30%)
Demonstrated ability to complete project (30%)
Outcomes and Impact (25%)
Originality and quality (10%)
Budget (5%)

Scores are judged by a qualified grant review committee. The committee reviews applications according to the above specified grant guideline requirements. The grant review committee reserves the right to disqualify any application that does not meet the minimum requirements or the purpose of the grants.

NOTE: Applicants may not apply for more than one America250KY grant during a single grant cycle. Applicants may not apply for additional funding for the same project during the same grant cycle.

America250KY preservation grants will be awarded in two grant rounds, the first concluded on April 15, and Round 2 will be opening soon. While there is no one-to-one funding match required, applicants are encouraged to supplement grant funds. An applicant’s chances at receiving grant funds will NOT be affected by whether or not funds are matched.

How to Apply:

Complete and return the required materials via email to craig.potts@ky.gov. Your application should reflect your project clearly, show a direct connection to the themes of America250KY, and explain how it directly and positively affects the growth, sustainability, and long-term impact of your organization and community.

Round 2 Application Coming Soon!

Applications must include the following required forms:

Coversheet
Project budget form
All outside consultants must provide a CV/resume
Narrative
Confirmation of 501(c)3 status (tax-exempt determination letter required)
Plan of work
List of board members with mailing addresses, emails, and phone numbers. Governmental agencies should include the contact information of relevant officials with supervisory capacity over the institution.

For feedback, eligibility, or application related questions, please email Craig Potts.

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.

America250KY 2024-25 | 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.

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.