The Academy’s Sidewalk Returns

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Written By Matthew Colin Bailey

We're taking a step back in time as we restore the Academy's sidewalk to its original 1835 look!

Thanks to the discovery of stone steps buried in the yard—placed back under the front entry in 2020—we’ve uncovered the exact width of the historic sidewalk.

Green River Academy, circa 1880.

Students seated in benches and chairs with faculty standing center of the doorway atop the building’s original stone stoop. Below, the hewn limestone curbing on the left and right of the sidewalk is visible, as are the bricks in between placed in a running bond fashion.

With the help of a rare reference photo, we’ve recreated the running bond (or "stretcher bond") brick pattern, complete with cut stone edging. During excavation, we found some of the original sidewalk's bricks and stone pieces, which have been carefully documented and preserved.

The plan for the new sidewalk, based on a photograph of the original walk made around 1880. 

The new sidewalk will be crafted from handmade bricks formed in wooden molds, perfectly matching the original color and style, with stone edging on both sides to stay true to the historic design!

This project is made possible by a generous grant from the Josephine Ardery Foundation and the amazing support of our community. Special thanks to the Green River Academy Board of Trustees (Carolyn Wells, Tommy Hines, Alisa Walsh, Camille Dillingham, Tonja West, Tiffany Groves, Lisa Petrie, Joshua Mosby, Matthew Colin Bailey) and the skilled mason, Nathan Combs, for bringing this restoration to life.

Green River Academy’s Sidewalk Project

The installation of the new sidewalk, soon to be covered in reproduction brick with hewn limestone curbing to mimic the original walk, is being completed by Nathan and Jonathan Combs. The sidewalk is made possible due in part from a grant awarded by the Josephine Ardery Foundation.

When it's completed, guests will now be able to walk into the Academy without having go through bare yard.

We’re thrilled to preserve this piece of history for future generations!

Matthew Colin Bailey

,Matthew Colin Bailey is trained as a preservation architect and practices in Nashville, Tennessee with a focus on residential, boutique retail, and garden design. He was appointed by Governor Andy Beshear to Kentucky’s Heritage Council, is a graduate of the University of Kentucky’s College of Design, and is a published author. He is the former director of My Old Kentucky Home Historic Site, and Director of Preservation at Belle Meade Plantation. He is the recipient of the D.T. Porter Person of the Year Award. He is the current President of the Green River Academy Preservation Society and a founding member of the non-profit organization.

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