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The Kirkpatrick & Co Blog
Bluegrass History & Culture
Richard B. Isenhour | Bluegrass Architects to Know
Isenhour brought mid-century style to Lexington “beginning with a standard midcentury template—post-and beam construction, open floorplans, lots of exposed wooden beams and Kentucky limestone.” His later work “morphed from these contemporary ranch styles to bolder, block-style homes with rooms stacked in a more minimalist, streamlined fashion.”
A native of North Carolina, [...]
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September 20, 2023
Hugh Meriwether | Bluegrass Architects to Know
Hugh M. “Bud” Meriwether 1899-1979
Above, a Nicholasville home designed by Meriwether
Active from the 1930’s to the 1970’s, architect Hugh Meriwether’s residential portfolio includes historic “revival” homes for modern living across across Lexington & Central Kentucky. While his work spans a variety of architectural styles, Meriwether is well-known for his residential [...]
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September 2, 2023
Can you tear down a home on the National Register? Should you?
We’re historic home experts, and we often encounter a great deal of misinformation and even apprehension regarding preservation. Our brokerage helps clients navigate the process of buying or selling heritage properties with sensitivity. It is our aim to provide clarity and encouragement through keen expertise. Here, we’d like to share [...]
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August 28, 2023
Limestone: The Secret Ingredient
Shallow Seas, Bountiful Bourbon, & Hearty Horses
We know limestone-rich water makes for hardy horses & tasty bourbon in the Bluegrass. How, exactly, has this humble rock altered the course of history?
‘“The water is a very important ingredient and is a key reason why the bourbon industry has flourished in Kentucky,” [...]
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July 24, 2023
What’s behind those columns?
Discover the hidden past of many Bluegrass Greek Revival homes
Kentucky is famed for its genteel horse farms boasting white-columned Greek Revival estates. Visitors are often surprised to discover many of these “Greek Revival” manses date from much earlier than that period (c.1830-60) in Kentucky.
As now, homeowners were eager to demonstrate [...]
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July 11, 2023
Why do tobacco barns make good horse barns?
While an ever more rare sight, many Kentuckians have fond memories of tobacco hanging across the Bluegrass. Many warmly recall the scent of barns filled with one of Kentucky’s most successful cash crops of yore.
Old tobacco barn on 2527 & 2439 Grimes Mill, sold by Kirkpatrick & Co.
Kentucky’s rich [...]
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June 30, 2023
Brick by Brick: Beauty & History in Central Kentucky
Brick construction lends gravitas and permanence to the Bluegrass’s historic homes
The Greek Revival façade of the Elkton Farm’s John Suggett House expanded an earlier stone structure
We’re known for our representation of buyers & sellers of historic homes and estates. In particular, we’re praised for the historic and cultural research we conduct, adding [...]
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June 8, 2023
Historic Bluegrass Spring Houses
Exploring these indispensable outbuildings of the past
You’ll find the lovingly-restored historic spring house pictured here on our listing at 4750 KY Hwy 1842 North.
Spring houses were traditionally used in the Bluegrass as a way to keep food and other perishable items cool before the invention of refrigeration. They were small, [...]
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May 15, 2023
Why is that street named…?
A sampler of stories about Lexington streets & roads
Lexington, Kentucky scene as captured by drone
Who decides? Historically, street names typically signified landmarks (Higbee Mill), people (Patterson) or topography (High Street). Today, most residential roads have been named by developers.
Limestone – Originally called Mulberry Street, the road was renamed to signify [...]
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May 6, 2023
Warhol’s Bluegrass Derby Visit
Governor John Y. Brown hosted artist Andy Warhol for the Kentucky Derby (along with Alan Greenspan and LBJ’s eldest daughter). In addition to festivities at Cave Hill, Warhol attended the Madden party and perhaps the Derby Breakfast held at the Kentucky Horse Park. Pictured here are Warhol’s images of the [...]
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May 6, 2023