Bardstown Historic Preservation

Bardstown Historic Preservation The City of Bardstown has participated in Historic Zoning since 1967. Bardstown is a Certified Local Government. Without these, there would be no grant funding.

This is the page for Bardstown Historic Preservation and the Bardstown Historic Review Board, part of the Joint City-County Planning Commission of Nelson County. The CLG program is administered through the partnership between City Government, The Kentucky Heritage Council, State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service. This partnership encourages protection of cultural resources and historic preservation. The goals of the CLG program are to address and understand historic preservation issues on the local level, as well as regulating the historic overlay zone aesthetic and integrity. As part of the program, a review board is required, as are regulations for the historic overlay. Activities, such as workshops and the Rehab, Restore, Renovate! Trades Fair, are administered through this grant. Information concerning local historic preservation issues is shared with the Kentucky Heritage Council and the public more readily through the CLG program. This close connection with the Heritage Council allows for more expertise and advice to be given to and used in the Bardstown Historic District. CLG's apply for matching grants yearly for projects pertaining to historic preservation. In order for Bardstown to participate in the program, the City created and adopted a historic preservation ordinance (historic overlay zoning and historical review). These are created to enforce state and local legislation coinciding with the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Historic Preservation. The CLG must create and continue surveys and accommodate the public with assistance in National Register nominations and other information on preservation.

09/09/2026
On April 10, 2026, the Bowman-Cherry Center reopened, continuing the site’s legacy as a place for learning, creativity, ...
09/08/2026

On April 10, 2026, the Bowman-Cherry Center reopened, continuing the site’s legacy as a place for learning, creativity, and community connection.

Its reconstruction and restoration came through a partnership between the Nelson County Black Citizens Arts Council and the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.

George Payne, David Johnson, and Alex Hamilton purchased the land at First and Brashear in 1903. By 1905, the one room Bardstown Colored Grade School was open, becoming Nelson County’s first public school for Black children. Students attended here until 1923, when a larger school was built across the street.

In 1923 the construction of the Nelson County Training School (Rosenwald School) began. Originally it was a 4-teacher facility with a construction cost of $7,200. Between 1925-26 it was expanded, adding 2 rooms and becoming a 6-teacher facility. The expansion was an extra $2,000. The school was torn down in the late 60s/early 70s for Public Housing through the FHA.

Booker T. Washington of the Tuskegee Institute and Julius Rosenwald, philanthropist and president of Sears Roebuck, built state-of-the art schools for African American children across the South. The effort has been called the most important initiative to advance Black education in the early 20th century.

📍403 N. First Street, Bardstown

09/03/2026
It's been a minute, here are some throwbacks!
08/31/2026

It's been a minute, here are some throwbacks!

Here are some images for you!
06/25/2026



Here are some images for you!

Do any of these businesses spark a memory for you? 😁 dubbed the "Your Hometown Game" copyright says 1997.
06/23/2026

Do any of these businesses spark a memory for you? 😁 dubbed the "Your Hometown Game" copyright says 1997.

05/08/2026
05/08/2026

Address

989 Chambers Boulevard
Bardstown, KY
40004

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+15023485947

Website

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