Presentation given to the Cynthiana & Harrison County officials concerning the progress and future plans for saving/restoring the historic house, Ridgeway.

1. A Future for Ridgeway
Harrison County Heritage Council
11/12/2013

2. A remarkable past…
Circa: 1817/1818
Built by Colonel William Brown:
U.S. Congressman, War of 1812
Veteran, respected Central
Kentucky Attorney, and friend to
many state leaders, including Henry
Clay

3. Some other events in Ridgeway’s past…
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Since purchase in 1794, agriculture has been a constant force in the prosperity of Ridgeway
Plantation home to over 30 slaves leading up to the Civil War
Several of those slaves emancipated by the Brown family as they migrated to Illinois in 1832
Dr. Frazer continued the enslavement of individuals while supporting the Union
Civil War: farm part of Union Camp Frazer from 1861 through 1862, being destroyed by Gen.
Morgan
William T. Handy turns a portion of the farm into a training area for his famous trotting horses
Mr. Handy names the house Chestnut Hall
After Mr. Handy’s death in the early 20th century, the house becomes known as the Handy House
2002: Purchased by the City of Cynthiana and Harrison County to form the Flat Run Veterans
Park
2005: Placed on the National Trust of Historic Places by Governor Fletcher

4. Ridgeway’s Reach – Connecting to our Nation’s History

5. Colonel William Brown: Builder of Ridgeway
Married to Harriet Warfield.
Harriet became close friend of a
young Mary Todd who migrated to
Illinois to live with her sister and
later married Abraham Lincoln.
&
1779-1833, Colonel
in the War of 1812,
Attorney, Elected
to the Sixteenth
Congress (March 4,
1819-March 3,
1821)
Sister of Dr. Elisha Warfield
Friend of the Todd family – Delivered Mary Todd Lincoln
Owned the famous racehorse Lexington – sired current
line of thoroughbreds
Friend & Colleague of Henry Clay. Served
together in profession and in Congress
working on the Missouri Compromise.

6. Capt. James N. Brown: Native of Ridgeway
Son of Colonel Brown. Helped family relocate to Illinois while maintaining ties with
Ridgeway. Fought alongside Abraham Lincoln in the same unit during the Black Hawk
War, where they became fast friends. As the Brown and Smith families settled their new
Illinois land, Abraham Lincoln worked on their farm, clearing land. As Lincoln worked
the Brown farm, he would have conversed with the newly emancipated slaves from
Ridgeway.
1806-1868
Attorney, Illinois State
Representative for
Sagamon County,
President of Illinois
Agriculture Society
In 1858, Lincoln wrote to James,
not only outlining his firm beliefs
concerning slavery, but proving
his beliefs with a scrapbook of
his speeches – the only known
scrapbook of its kind.
"I believe the declara[tion] that
'all men are created equal' is the
great fundamental principle upon
which our free institutions rest”

7. After Lincoln’s assassination, Mary Todd
Lincoln requested that James N. Brown
be one of the pallbearers for the body’s
final leg of the journey home in
Springfield.
James N. and Polly Ann (Smith) Brown’s
children are buried at Ridgeway. Others are
suspected to be in the family plot – as well
as a potential slave cemetery nearby.

8. Orville Hickman Browning
Close friend of Abraham Lincoln. Also fought in the same unit during the
Black Hawk War. Appointed to fill U.S. Senate seat left vacant by death of
Stephen Douglas. Later served as U.S. Secretary of the Interior under
President Johnson, 1866-69.
Famous line about Kentucky during the War was written to Browning,
1861: “I
think to lose Kentucky is nearly the same as to lose
the whole game.”
1806-1881
Cynthiana native
and Nephew of
Colonel William
Brown. “Read the
Law” with his uncle
at Ridgeway.
Orville’s wife, Kentucky native Eliza
Caldwell Browning was Lincoln’s longest
female friendship…lasting from the 1830s
through his Presidency. The Brownings
were called to the White House for
personal comfort after the death of Willie
Lincoln and handled the funeral
arrangements.

9. Architectural Significance: Pioneer Home

10. Progress to Date & Coming in the Near Future:
An Exciting New Era

11. Progress to Date:
• Roof installation is imminent: material on order – funds provided by grant
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from Verizon (money designated for Ridgeway improvements – would have to
be returned if not used on Ridgeway)
Security: Windows/doors boarded up
Landscaping designs for back garden provided by Bourbon County landscaper
with Cynthiana family ties
Donations coming in through PayPal and Book Sales
New PR/Marketing Plan in place (Ridgeway) to garner more exposure and
secure statewide/national donations (Social Media/News pieces/Promotional)

12. Renewed Interest
• Over a dozen new Board Members in the HCHC – combination of consistent leaders
of the efforts (Marilynn Bell, et al) with new members interested in saving Ridgeway
• Among some of our new members: Cynthiana carpenters, electricians, educators,
landscapers; Cheri Daniels, Historian/Genealogist, Kentucky Historical Society;
Christopher Starr, Real Estate Developer and 3rd Great Grandson of Colonel Brown –
Boston, MA
• Mr. Starr’s 20+ years experience includes adaptive re-use projects and a current $80
million revitalization project in Belmont MA

13. Coming in the Near Future:
• Electricity estimates coming in for immediate future work
• Adventures in Preservation has selected Ridgeway as a summer 2014 venue to
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replace the windows
Grant applications in process (Lincoln Bicentennial Foundation/Kentucky
Colonels, etc.)/Tax Credits for park and house development
Fundraising sites: GoFundMe and Kickstarter projects in development
Kentucky Bride Magazine has expressed interest in Ridgeway as a venue and is ready
to promote once we are ready
Educational curriculum being developed for local teachers

14. Future Plans: Flat Run Veterans Park & Ridgeway

15. A Future to Benefit Cynthiana/Harrison
County
• Ridgeway Community Center: Adaptive Re-use
• Sustainable revenue producing venue: Provides local venue for weddings,
civic events, sports banquets/celebrations
• Park Administration offices
• Adds depth to our community and park – appeal for new businesses/families
• Educational for the study of Kentucky’s diverse history – Diversity Garden

16. Ridgeway Community
Center: Adaptive Re-use
• Adaptive reuse is conventionally defined as
“the process of adapting old structures for
new purposes.” While we will find new uses
for Ridgeway, the historical character of the
structure will be maintained as outlined in
the lease.
• Cynthiana/Harrison County is desperately in
need of such a space for
meetings/events/offices – adaptive re-use
fills that need while preserving/honoring a
pioneer structure.

17. Sustainable Revenue
Producing Venue
• Weddings/Anniversaries/Birthdays
• Civic/Sporting Banquets/Award
Ceremonies
• Meetings/Exhibits/Art Classes
• Ghost Tours
• Park Festivals/Battle of Cynthiana
Events
• Capacity: Dining space (80-145 seated);
Reception (240+ standing)

18. Office Space for Park
Administration
• Second floor contains many
office/storage areas for venue
and park administration
• Vantage point from Ridgeway
extends the entire length and
breadth of the park

19. Adds Depth/Value to Park
and Community
• Adapting a historic structure for new purpose that serves
the community demonstrates value of local heritage plus
good stewardship of local officials.
• Beautiful and functional space at the top of the ridge
provides an aesthetic focal point for festivals and park
events – Makes Flat Run Veterans Park a community
centered space, not just another collection of ball fields.
• Appeals to new families and businesses thinking about
making Cynthiana/Harrison County their new home.

20. Educational Benefits for
Regional Students –
Diversity Garden
• Ridgeway’s rich and complex history is a perfect
representation of Kentucky’s agricultural prominence and
border state struggles during the Civil War
• Multiple lessons can be taught about slavery in Kentucky, as
well as the Battles of Cynthiana, the Horse Industry,
Tobacco, and the Settling of Kentucky.
• With the Brown Family connections alone, Cynthiana’s
prominent role in the development of the Bluegrass region
can be taught alongside the histories of the Clay, Warfield,
and Todd families. Restore Cynthiana to its place in History.

21. Other Examples of Successful
Restorations/Community
Additions in Kentucky
• Ward Hall – Georgetown: Restoration a long term project
with community activities tied to fundraising efforts and
tourism – historical significance: architectural/Greek
Revival
• Farmington – Louisville: Home of Joshua Speed, close
friend of Abraham Lincoln: Exhibits feature this
connection and the friendship’s influence on Lincoln and
national policies. Weddings a part of their revenue source.

22. Our Request

23. Moving Forward
• Allow the HCHC to move forward on fulfilling the stipulations of
the remaining lease. Roof, porches, foundation exteriors, windows,
doors, and siding to be finished by lease deadline of December
2015. Once this is completed, the remaining lease agreement will
stand – through December 2060.
• Honor the commitment made to the citizens of the city/county
by allowing this lease to reach its term – 2000 signatures

24. Other Considerations
• Tearing down a structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places puts
future grant acquisition for park improvements in jeopardy.
• $9000 Verizon grant was stipulated for improvement on Ridgeway – all remaining
funds not used in this manner are required to be returned to Verizon.
• All remaining funding raised by the HCHC will remain with the HCHC for use on
other projects as a 501c3 whose mission is tied to heritage preservation in
Cynthiana/Harrison County.
• Cemeteries on property are still a concern – at least one can be proven a “Pioneer”
cemetery by the state. Proof of one exists with tombstones, but protection will
remain an issue despite Ridgeway’s restoration or demise.

25. Questions?

26. The Harrison County Heritage
Council thanks you for this
opportunity!
Got any other historically/culturally significant
structures that need help? Talk to us! Our mission
is based on an initiative to assist in efforts relating
to the preservation and/or restoration of
historically/culturally significant structures in
Cynthiana and Harrison County.
harrisoncoheritage@gmail.com