Federal Hill guests enjoy art, culture, fine dining in support of presevation
By SYLVIA HORLANDER
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio
Friday, April 28, 2017 —National, state, and local philanthropists came together Thursday evening in their efforts to support preservation in Kentucky. My Old Kentucky Home State Park served as an appropriately serene setting for An Old Kentucky Garden Party, which took place on the backside of the iconic Federal Hill mansion.
This was the garden party’s second year, which is a fundraiser for Preservation Kentucky and The Kentucky State Parks Foundation.
The evening fit the theme of a chic southern party filled with Kentucky culture. Party guests were greeted with traditional bluegrass music from The King’s Highway Band. A spread of food was ready to be enjoyed, from crab cakes and hot brown rolls to chicken salad sandwiches and fresh-fruit filled jelly cookies. Guests could accompany their food with fine bourbons from Barton 1792, Four Roses, and Maker’s Mark.
In keeping with tradition, The Stephen Foster Story singers performed the state song, “My Old Kentucky Home.” Richard Blanton, who is the site’s mansion director, emceed the program.
State dignitaries showed their support, including Don Parkinson, secretary of the Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet, Preservation Kentucky Board of Directors Chairman Grady Walter, and Kentucky Department of Parks Foundation Chair Rachel Dickey.
Linda Bruckheimer, who is well recognized for her support of preservation projects and her passion for parks, also spoke. Even though each speaker had something different to say, their message was all the same—to continue preserving The Commonwealth of Kentucky. After the speeches, everyone was offered a complimentary tour of the Federal Hill mansion.
Bruckheimer grew up in Louisville, then moved to California with her family when she was a teenager. Bruckheimer said the road trip along Route 66 from The Bluegrass State to Hollywood transformed her. She became fascinated by vintage signs and roadside architecture.
“I saw directly what it looked like not to have preservation when I moved to California”, she said. “I come back to Kentucky, where there are all these wonderful buildings, places, and monuments that are seen everyday. If we don’t save these, our cities start deteriorating one bit at a time, and I don’t want that to happen.”
Bruckheimer and her husband, television and film producer, Jerry Bruckheimer, own Nettie Jarvis Antiques and The Old Sugar Valley Country Store in Bloomfield, as well as their farm, Walnut Grove.
As the party came to an end, guests were presented with a unique keepsake. Linda Bruckheimer teamed up with Maker’s Mark Distillery Diplomat Rachel Ford to combine a photo inside a Maker’s Mark Bottle. Guests could choose one of three pictures taken by Bruckheimer, which included a “red neck” – a still photo from one of the distillery’s famous ads, an outside view of a warehouse on site, or an aging barrel inside a rickhouse. Each bottle was sealed by Ford with the iconic Maker’s Mark red wax.
More than 250 people attended the event. Guests had the chance to get a signed copy of the many books authored by former Bardstown Mayor and regular WBRT Radio guest Dixie Hibbs.
Guests could also buy art with a signed copy from local artist Jim Cantrell, who made history as the first Kentucky artist chosen to create the official paintings of The Kentucky Derby.
Local dignitaries in attendance included state Sen. Jimmy Higdon, Nelson County Attorney Matthew Hite, former Lt. Governors Crit Luallen and Steve Henry, along with Henry’s wife, former Miss America Heather French Henry. Henry surprised the crowd by singing “Blue Moon of Kentucky” accompanied by The King’s Highway Band.
Proceeds from the event went to benefit Preservation Kentucky and The Kentucky State Parks Foundation – two nonprofit organizations with limited government funding.
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