HONORABLE ORDER OF KENTUCKY COLONELS
AWARD 325 GRANTS TOTALING $2.5 MILLION
DRY STONE CONSERVANCY AN HONORED 2024 RECIPIENT
Lexington, KY – The Dry Stone Conservancy is proud to announce it received a grant from the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels (HOKC) in the amount of $7,500.00 to purchase a new truck.
The Dry Stone Conservancy serves the Commonwealth of Kentucky by safeguarding the traditional craft of dry-laid stone masonry and the historic structures built using this technique. Education and training are central to our mission, empowering both the general public and skilled masons to become stewards of these valuable cultural resources. The Dry Stone Conservancy is dedicated to ensuring the long-term survival of this unique craft, and we are grateful for the vital support provided by the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.
HOKC awarded $2.5 million in grants supporting 325 non-profits, impacting more than 3.9 million Kentuckians. Grants are made possible through donations from Kentucky Colonels from throughout the Commonwealth and around the world who chose to exercise the honor of being named a Kentucky Colonel in a meaningful way.
According to Commanding General Gary Boschert: “2023 / 2024 was a challenging year for fulfilling Grant Requests, with over $5 million in total requests. We were able to distribute $2.5 million through the Good Works Program that each of you generously supports. Every dollar you contribute to the Good Works Program goes out to nonprofits in the Commonwealth. Together we helped support 3.9 million people this year. Our efforts following the western and eastern Kentucky disasters continue, with limited funds remaining for both regions. Many Trustees just toured eastern Kentucky earlier this month to see firsthand how much need there truly is. The rebuilding in both areas continues and your help is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support!”
About the Dry Stone Conservancy
The Dry Stone Conservancy, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to the preservation of historic drystone structures, the advancement of dry-laid stone masonry as a craft, and the establishment of a center for training and expertise.
Over the past century, drystone masonry has become a nearly lost art. The reliance on cement mortars in modern construction has led to a decline in the understanding and application of traditional drystone techniques. This lack of skilled craftspeople threatens the integrity of existing drystone structures, particularly as they face deferred maintenance and the pressures of suburban development.
The Dry Stone Conservancy aspires to be a valuable resource for the public, owners of historic drystone structures, professionals involved in the preservation and restoration of our nation's drystone heritage, and the craftspeople who hold its future in their hands.
About the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels
The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels is a 501(c) (3) entity dedicated to supporting charitable activities throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The organization is governed by an all-volunteer Board of Trustees. The “Kentucky Colonel” commission is an honorary title granted by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Since 1951, the organization has pursued its mission through annual grants totaling $68 million to more than 1,700 nonprofits. Of those Colonels’ contributions, each grant is thoroughly vetted by the trustees and staff. Though the corporate name is The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, most know it by its long-term trademark, KENTUCKY COLONELS. Visit kycolonels.org to learn more.
-- END --