Each Year we develop programming that allows our members to have enjoyable and educational experiences at historic places around Kentucky. Join us for one of our upcoming events and learn more about our diverse heritage embodied in the Commonwealth’s heritage.
Historic Hike of Lower Howard’s Creek Heritage and Nature Preserve.
In November of 2022, the Trust, our members and guests revisited the Lower Howard’s Creek Nature and Heritage Preserve.
Soon after the establishment of the Kentucky Trust our founder Bob Polsgove began assisting in a project to save a settlement era industrial center of Kentucky and what would become the Lower Howard’s Creek Nature and Heritage Preserve. Bob guided Clark County in the survey of historic resources and in the procurement of grant funds through the Kentucky Natural Heritage Land Conservation Fund to establish the preserve. Now more than 20 years later, join our members to revisit this successful project and see the wonder that is Lower Howard’s Creek.
Our guided hike will explore the historic structure located in the preserve along a 1.4 mile (2.8 miles total) hiking trail. This is a free event but registration is required.
Lower Howard’s Creek valley was an pioneer era industrial center for water-powered stone milling in the 18th and 19th centuries. Five of the stone buildings that remain are on the National Register of Historic Places, and one can still find the rock fences and hike the historic wagon road winding down into the steep, forested gorge. The Clark County Fiscal Court dedicated 228 acres of Lower Howard’s Creek in Clark County on Jan. 22, 2001. Additional land purchases has now brought the preserve to 423 acres.