Historic Scott County estate launches crowdfunding campaign for restoration, preservation

The historic Ward Hall in Scott County is fundraising to help cover the costs of “urgent” restorations.

The house was built in the 1850s and is the largest Greek Revival-style building in Kentucky at 12,000 square feet. It was once considered to be the state’s capitol building.

Foundation President Ron Bryant says the house is one of the best examples of that type of building in Kentucky.

“Ward Hall remains one of the most intact antebellum houses in the nation, and the servants quarters and the basement of this house are some of the most intact around,” Bryant said.

The Ward Hall Preservation Foundation has been working to preserve the house since 2004, and say their first phase of their current restoration plan would cost $850,000.

Bryant says their mission is to keep it open to the public for educational purposes.

“We were trying desperately to make sure that it is not only completely restored as it should be, but to show a functional working estate of the 1850s to schools and to people that are interested,” Bryant said.

The foundation launched a GoFundMe campaign last week seeking money from individual donors.

It says the building is in need of $435,000 to repair its front entrance. It also needs $100,000 to upgrade its electrical service and install a new HVAC system.

Eventually, Bryant says he’d like to restore the estate’s outbuildings and gardens alongside the house.

Other information on the estate, including other ways to donate, is available on their website .

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