Bluegrass Cultural Landscape of Kentucky, United States

More than 1.2 million acres in size, the Inner Bluegrass Region of Kentucky is one of the most distinctive cultural landscapes in North America.

Named for the color of the indigenous calcium- and phosphate-enriched grass, the Bluegrass Region was permanently settled in the 1780s. By the mid-nineteenth century, the landscape was distinguished by a number of specialized agrarian-based industries, including tobacco farming and bourbon distillation, as well as with the breeding and racing of thoroughbred horses.

Despite having some of the oldest and most ambitious land preservation programs in the country, this iconic American landscape has lost more than 80,000 acres of farmland to development during the past decade, an alarming trend that landed the Inner Bluegrass on WMF’s list of 100 Most Endangered Sites, and which has left many wondering how such a storied region could fall prey to subdivisions and strip malls. Recent estimates put the land loss at more than nine acres an hour.

Many blame a lack of coordinated, region-wide planning and zoning measures for failing to protect the cultural landscape. The result is substantial loss of rural farmland, compromising sense of place, undermining traditional industries such as horse breeding and small-scale farming, and endangering historic structures.

While several independent initiatives have been launched in recent years to stem the loss, these programs have been only moderately effective.

To aid in their effort to promote and preserve this highly significant North American landscape, four leading preservation organizations—Kentucky Heritage Council, Bluegrass Conservancy, Bluegrass Trust for Historic Preservation, and University of Kentucky’s Center of Historic Architecture and Preservation—nominated the site to WMF’s 2006 World Monuments Watch. Since then, the Bluegrass preservation movement has been gaining momentum.

Triple Crown
The Kentucky Derby,

The Preakness Stakes,

The Belmont Stakes,

Mint Juleps
Nothing evokes Derby season more than the Mint Julep. Kentuckians prefer to serve this libation in sterling silver julep cups with well-crushed ice.

- Bottle of premium Kentucky bourbon
- Granulated sugar and water (for simple syrup)
- Sprigs of fresh mint

For syrup: heat equal amounts of sugar and water until sugar dissolves. Let cool.

Rub rims of chilled julep glasses with mint, then pack with crushed ice so that it mounds. When frost begins to form on the outside of cup, pour 1 oz. sugar syrup and 3 oz. bourbon over ice; garnish generously with mint sprigs.

Photo: Mark Manning Images