Park Background Timeline
Scroll through a history of how the park came to be what it is today
2012
This project emerges from work completed during a 2012 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant proposal by Woodford County government to develop Huntertown’s 38 acres into an educational nature park. Third Rock Consultants (based in Lexington) completed the initial work on the grant, proposing a passive interpretive park that would tell the story of the African American hamlet. When grant funding did not come through, work on park development came to a halt.
2015-2016
Faculty and students from Woodford County High School undertook a research project on Huntertown, presenting their findings to Woodford County Fiscal Court and supporting the development of an interpretive passive community park on this land. The 9th grade students researched Huntertown’s history and studied the wetland environment in classes taught by Sioux Finney (WCHS Social Studies) and Mary Beth Rouse (WCHS Science), aided by Mona Romine (WCHS Library Science).
November 2018
Woodford County Community Foundation awarded a $2300 grant to the Huntertown History Project to record oral histories, gather digital archives of documents, photographs and artifacts in order to preserve the history of Huntertown. Retired teacher Sioux Finney worked to conduct research and develop a traveling 3-panel display which was exhibited throughout the county.
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Research to date includes the following:
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Deed research at Woodford County Courthouse and examination of over 100 property transfers
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Oral history interviews with former residents and a gathering of 10 former residents on the Huntertown site shared priceless memories and provided key information concerning location of the Huntertown Colored School, residences, stores, hog pen and wells
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Huntertown Artifact Event at the Woodford Public Library (April 2019) where former residents and neighbors from the surrounding farms gathered to reminisce and renew friendships
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Compilation of 30 Huntertown family genealogies, thanks to the work of committee member Marti Martin; We continue to share these genealogies with former residents.
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Digital scans of nearly 500 historic photos and archival documents to date
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Maps showing approximate property lines of original property owners at Huntertown (1871-1884), thanks to the expertise and in-kind work of committee member Kenneth Johns, Woodford County GIS Coordinator.
November 2019
The Versailles-Woodford County Parks and Recreation Department agreed to accept the 38 acres of Huntertown into the park system, solidifying plans to create a passive green space community park on the east end of the Versailles urban service corridor that will honor the African American heritage of the former community.
February 2020
Huntertown History Project traveled to Woodford County Middle School, Woodford County High School and Huntertown Elementary during Black History Month in February 2020. Committee member (and retired Social Studies teacher) Sioux Finney taught a series of primary source lessons to 20 different classes using archival documents and photos.
March 2020
The Woodford County Community Foundation awarded a $2500 grant to the Huntertown Park Design Project. Coupled with a matching $2500 from the Woodford County Fiscal Court, the Design Project is a collaboration with University of Kentucky Landscape Architecture program to create a master plan for Huntertown Community Interpretive Park. Dr. Jayoung Koo and 16 students from the UK Landscape Architecture Design Studio class spent the summer and fall semester developing detailed concepts for the park master plan. Even with the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, students were able to make site visits, interview former residents and meet with community leaders in virtual design workshops via Zoom.
May 2020
The Kentucky Historical Society approved our application for an Historical Highway Marker honoring the Huntertown community. Brenda Jackson, former Huntertown resident and committee member, submitted 110 pages of documentation. The Historical Marker dedicated at the 150th Anniversary Celebration in August 2021.
August 2020
One year prior to the 150th Anniversary of Huntertown – the HCIP committee launched the Partners for the Future Campaign, to raise funds for the historic marker, park development and the 150th Anniversary Celebration. We also debuted the first of several videos about Huntertown produced by Casey Cooley, a committee member. To date, the campaign has raised over $45,000 for park development and historic interpretation.
July 2021
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The final master plan design was completed by UK Landscape Architecture, and approved by the Versailles-Woodford County Parks and Recreation Board and the Woodford County Fiscal Court
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A new partnership with faculty at the University of Kentucky led by Dr. Jayoung Koo (Landscape Architecture) was awarded a Sustainability Challenge Grant ($42,000) to accomplish the following objectives:
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Continue historical/cultural research, interpretation, and representation of Huntertown’s cultural memory/heritage/legacy as a community of color.
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Inventory and assess the underlying environmental conditions such as local stormwater quality and quantity (flooding and flow of water) within the site’s vegetative and soil/geological context
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Design and install interpretive wayfinding signage in late 2022
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​Create digital media storytelling that will be displayed and connected on mobile app
August 2021
Over 300 people attended Huntertown 150th Anniversary Celebration and Park Dedication on August 28-29, 2021, featuring speakers, musicians, a “basketmeeting picnic” and a community worship service on Sunday morning. The weekend marked the official opening of Huntertown Community Interpretive Park - open from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year.
October 2021
- Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws for Friends of Huntertown Community Interpretive Park approved as well as its mission:
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To support and promote the development of the Huntertown Community Interpretive Park as a living museum and a public park; The Friends will help mobilize resources to support projects that will assure the impact of the park on the quality of life of current and future generations
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Woodford County Fiscal Court submits a grant (total $70,000; local share $15,000) to the Kentucky State Energy and Environment Cabinet to clean up an illegal dump on the site that is contaminating the existing pond and increasing flooding
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WKYT TV features segment on 6:00 pm news, produced by Huntertown descendant Darnell Crenshaw (watch here)
November 2021
- The first Huntertown Glen Turkey Trot 5K starts and ends at the HCIP historic marker
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HCIP awarded a $2500 grant from Woodford County Community Fund for the Huntertown Interpretive Signage project (design and install 3 interpretive signs) in collaboration with UK Landscape Architecture and Ruggles Sign Company
February 2022
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The illegal dump grant for $70,000 approved
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The Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation features Huntertown on its Blue Grass Trust DeTour program and the Louisville Courier Journal has a front-page article on African American Historic Markers that features Brenda Jackson and the Huntertown marker
April 2022
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The Fiscal Court approves a $50,000 line item in its budget to support the development of Huntertown Community Interpretive Park
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IRS approves Friends of HCIP as a 501c3 nonprofit organization; With this notification, a checking and savings account is established in the name of the Friends of HCIP
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Huntertown segment premieres on KET Kentucky Living program on PBS, produced by Woodford County native Tamia Jackson
June 2022
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Huntertown Community Interpretive Park receives the 2022 Community Impact Award from the Kentucky Historical Society in Frankfort
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Huntertown Community Interpretive Park receives the 2022 Barbara Hulette Award from the Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation, recognizing "efforts in the preservation of Central Kentucky's history, heritage, built environment, landscape, archeological resources, sense of community or significant endeavors"
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We shared the Huntertown story at Midway and Versailles Juneteenth Festivals
Fall 2022
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Continuing partnerships with the University of Kentucky include emphasis on protection of wetland environment and development of bioswales to control stormwater flooding in areas of the park
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Interpretation of the Huntertown story continues – writing text for interpretive panels and production of signage with a partnership between UK Landscape Architecture, Ruggles Sign and Friends of Huntertown Community Interpretive Park