If you enjoy our historic architect series, you’ll love these three books on Kentucky’s architectural history. These titles are perfect for gifting and can be easily found at Joseph Beth or larger retailers.
Kentucky Barns: Agricultural Heritage of the Bluegrass by Carol Peachee
“From horses to tobacco to bourbon, the barn is at the heart of Kentucky’s heritage and industry and is a staple of the Bluegrass landscape. In Kentucky Barns: Agricultural Heritage of the Bluegrass, Carol Peachee showcases the barns with exquisite photography. From elegant Thoroughbred farms to historical treasures like the 1803 stone barn of Runnymede Farm in Bourbon County, Peachee travels across the state to capture and preserve the diverse architecture, heritage, and design that make these structures special. A beautiful tribute to the legacy of the Bluegrass State, Kentucky Barns features nearly 400 full-color photos of both the interior and exterior of these beautiful and functional icons of American culture and industry.” (IU Press)
Gideon Shryock: His Life and Architecture, 1802-1880 by Winfrey P. Blackburn Jr. & R. Scott Gill
“Gideon Shryock, Kentucky’s first formally trained architect, brought the international style of the Greek Revival to Kentucky and the American West, and in the process imparted a template of architectural and professional dignity for others to follow. Over the course of a half-century career distinguished by a considerable body of projects, he became one of the state’s — and the era’s — most important architects. This book presents, for the first time, the story of the man and his work.” (Butler Books)
Lost Lexington, Kentucky by Peter Brackney
“Lexington has dozens of well-restored landmarks, but so many more are lost forever. The famous Phoenix Hotel, long a stop for weary travelers and politicians alike, has risen from its own ashes numerous times over the past centuries. The works of renowned architect John McMurtry were once numerous around town, but some of the finest examples are gone. The Centrepointe block has been made and unmade so many times that its original tenants are unknown to natives now. Join local blogger, attorney and preservationist Peter Brackney as he explores the intriguing back stories of these hidden Bluegrass treasures.” (Arcadia Publishing).
