By Rosemary Campbell

The Bluegrass Heritage Museum has unveiled local artist Phil May’s rendition of its proposed expansion.

The two-story columned building is designed to reflect the old McEldowney house which once stood on the site adjacent to the current museum.

Many Clark County residents may remember this house was at one time joined to the museum building when it served as the Guerrant Mission Clinic and Hospital.

In planning the new addition, the museum wishes to honor the buildings’ past while planning for the needs of the community’s future.

Still very much in the planning stage, the proposed building will hopefully contain a large room on the ground floor which can be subdivided into smaller rooms for meetings or classrooms for visiting schoolchildren. A kitchen, restrooms and elevator will also be part of the design.

The upstairs will primarily be storage space for many artifacts in the museum’s collection, along with a larger archive room than the one currently in the main building.

This new expansion is the focus of the $200,000 Matching Grant Challenge currently taking place. A group of anonymous donors has offered to match any further funds raised by the museum during 2019, up to $200,000. Now, the donations stand at over $37,000.

Many special events will be held throughout the year to encourage donations to the Challenge, including “A Patchwork of Clark County History,” the antique quilt exhibit now on display at the house at 21 Valentine Court, immediately behind the museum.

This exhibit will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 4 p.m., and at other times by appointment, through the end of May.

Homemakers clubs, quilt groups, and others are encouraged to call the museum at 859-745-1358 to make an appointment to see these lovely quilts, all with a connection to Clark County history; some have never been on display before.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the Challenge may donate to the Bluegrass Heritage Museum at 217 S. Main S., Winchester. Another way is to visit the museum’s website, www.bgheritage.com and click on the donation button to donate online.