Some of Hopkinsville’s most enthusiastic advocates for historic preservation will lead the next History on Tap for the Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County.
The speakers for the session at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 25, at Hopkinsville Brewing Co. will be local conservationist Grace Abernethy, Downtown Renaissance Director Holly Boggess and Hopkinsville homeowner Jeri Richardson.
They will discuss “what historic preservation is, what it is not, and how it can make our community a more sustainable and beautiful place to live,” organizers said in a press release. “Museum Director Alissa Keller will moderate the discussion and share a few examples of successful local preservation projects, buildings that offer great preservation opportunities, and ways the community can support preservation efforts.”
Abernethy was featured recently in a cover story for Clemson World, the alumni magazine for Clemson University, about her role in the restoration of a pre-Civil War residence that is now the largest house museum in Tennessee.
“Armed with degrees in history and historic preservation and a rare talent for decorative painting, Abernethy has played a part in the restoration of historic properties all over the Southeast, most recently at the Belmont Mansion in Nashville, Tennessee,” the story describes.
Abernethy and her husband, Brendan Abernethy, are recent Hopkinsville transplants. She and Keller were graduate school classmates at Clemson.
Richardson and her husband, John Richardson, reside at The Trice Castle, a landmark house on South Main at 20th Street. They document improvements and historical discoveries related to the house on a Facebook page.
History on Tap is a free monthly series devoted to local history. It is typically held on the last Thursday of the month.
This story was updated to correct the date of the program. It will be on Thursday, May 25.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. She spent 30 years as a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition.
