The Restoration
The preservation of the historic Green River Academy
The Restoration
Green River Academy’s restoration plan was developed with the goal of interpreting the Academy within its period of significance, 1835–1880. This era represents the institution's achievement in providing progressive formal education to young men and women on the early American frontier. The restoration of the Academy adheres to the United States Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Preservation.
WHERE WE BEGAN
June 6, 2009
In 2009, five local preservationists worked to form a non-profit organization that would be used to purchase the Green River Academy and save it from demolition.
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The 180 year-old building was leaking, cracking, and collapsing. Despite the threat of demolition, the group sought to pursue the restoration of the Academy.
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Captivated by its unique architectural value, its well-documented record of providing advanced and progressive educations for young men and women, and its connection to educating enslaved people to read and write, hundreds of supporters joined in the effort to push the project forward.
THE BUILDING EXTERIOR in 2009
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Green River Academy, North Facade, 2009
Green River Academy, East Elevation, 2009
Green River Academy, North Facade, 2009
Green River Academy, South Elevation, 2009
Green River Academy, Destroyed Cellar Entrance, 2009
Green River Academy, Destroyed Dormer Window, 2009
THE BUILDING INTERIOR in 2009
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Green River Academy, Collapsed Ceiling, 2009
Green River Academy, Leaking Roof on Third Floor, 2009
Green River Academy, Leaking Ceiling, Second Floor
Green River Academy, Fallen Debris, 2009
Green River Academy, Dilapidated Apartment, 2009
Green River Academy, Collapsed Ceiling, 2009
Green River Academy, Original 1835 Staircase, 2009
THE FIRST STEPS
The Trustees of the Academy operated as a working board, dedicating many hours to the formation of a non-profit organization that could purchase, maintain, and apply for public funding sources. The group spent countless hours raising grass-roots support for the project.
In May of 2009, five preservationists drafted Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.
No.1
In June of 2009, Green River Academy filed its formation documents with the Secretary of State.
No.2
In 2010, the Academy received its official non-profit letter and could accept donations.
No.3
After a strong promotional campaign, the group received press and support.
No.4
No.5
The Academy began a series of popular fundraiser balls that raised thousands for the project.
FINDING HELP
In 2012, Green River Academy’s Board of Trustees, with exceptional dedication and help from trustee John Walton, lobbied Kentucky’s elected representation for funding to save the building.
John Emmett Walton (1943-2023)
SAVED BY A GRANT
The Trustees of the Academy sought a Federal grant for the restoration of the Academy. The available pools of money were limited to $500,000, which was only enough funding to stabilize the building and ensure that the Academy was structurally sound. Unfortunately, the work would not include interior finishes, lighting, plumbing, trim, flooring, nor furnishings.
GRANT APPLICATION TIMELINE
OCTOBER 2010
Academy trustees found a grant source, and pursued the money by meeting with legislators.
John Walton & Matthew Colin Bailey met with Governor Steven Beshear who prioritized the grant.
FEBRUARY 2011
APRIL 2011
Locals wrote over one hundred letters of support in favor of restoring the Academy building.
MAY 2011
A Federal grant of $500,000 was awarded in spring of 2011 for the Academy’s stabilization.
AUGUST 2011
The process of budgeting, hiring, and selecting began for the building’s structural stabilization.
TO BE COMPLETED