UK-Lexington Arboretum Children's Garden

Work continues on this community project, with the Conservancy providing stone sourcing and installation for this wonderful project. The garden is designed to represent Kentucky's varying terrain, and includes traditional walls, weeping springs, and more. The Arboretum is open to the public, so come on out and see our work.

2009 National Walling Competition

The Conservancy's annual walling competition is the only one of its kind in the nation (as far as we know, and the world of drystone in America is kind of small!). This year more than thirty competitors traveled from ten different states to compete in three different divisions: novice, amateur and professional. The all-day event was almost rained out, but luckily all the rain fell the day before. I say lucky, but check out the standing water. The competitors slugged through however and came through winningly!

PTN Mini Rendezvous

In July, the Conservancy participated as a sponsor and demonstrator during the annual Preservation Trades Network's Mini Rendezvous. The event, which brings together many traditional trades practitioners, was held in Frankfort, Kentucky over the Independence Day weekend. We designed a planter bed for the park's entrance sign (where the event was held). We combined all three styles of traditional Kentucky rock fence in the design, and we're quite pleased with the way it turned out!

Maker's Mark Workshop

In June of this year, we returned to the world famous distillery near Bardstown, to help them restore more of their rock fences. As you can see, the fences had fallen out quite a bit, but we were able to rebuild the fence, and it's great looking!

Old Richmond Road Volunteer Work Day, Fayette County

On June 13th volunteers came out to Old Richmond Road in the foggy morning to continue repairs they had begun last fall on an historic roadside fence. The fence had been completely demolished by a non-certified mason who took the money and ran! The fence is a long one, and it will take a few more days like this to get it fully repaired. As you can see from the photos the volunteers are working under tight, potentially dangerous conditions. This is often the case with our roadside fences. I like the photo of the horses trotting down to see what's going on.

Special Features Workshop, Mercer County

On May 30th and 31st, the Conservancy conducted a Special Features Workshop for participants who had taken at least one introductory workshop. The participants learned under the tutelage of master craftsmen, and came away with enhanced skills. The workshop was held at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill near Harrodsburg, KY, and the feature will remain as an outdoor installation that will add to the experience as this historic site. Congratulations to all who participated! I just wish I could get them to leave the water bottles out of the photos!

Ruddle's Mill Volunteer Work Day, Bourbon County

On Saturday, May 30th, volunteers gathered to repair the old cemetery walls surrounding the Stonermouth Presbyterian Church Cemetery in historic Ruddle's Mill in Bourbon County, Kentucky. On hand were board members and volunteers from the local historical society in charge of protecting the cemetery. The cemetery is very large and is completely surrounded by rock fence. Images are of the preparatory work where a foundation course was set to allow small vehicles to enter the cemetery for grounds maintenance.