Fiscal court approves relocation of historic Crittenden cabin to county park, contingent on lease

The Woodford County Fiscal Court voted unanimously to approve relocating the historic Crittenden cabin to a site at the county park, contingent on executing a lease with the Woodford County Historical Society that meets the fiscal court’s requirements.

Squire Taylor outlined the project history and the current funding approach. He said the cabin — owned by the Woodford County Historical Society and formerly managed by a local heritage committee — is currently on Frontier Nursing University property and has been the subject of long-running discussions about finding a more accessible, permanent location. Taylor said the project team applied for a $120,000 grant (a 250th‑year American history grant program application was cited in the meeting) to support relocation and roof restoration, and that Frontier Nursing has committed funds toward the move.

Taylor explained that a contractor experienced in historic building moves would likely dismantle and preserve the cabin’s chinking and log fabric, then reassemble it at the new site. The project’s proponents reported prior renovation work of about $140,000 that the theater/cabin interest group or prior caretakers performed. Taylor and other magistrates emphasized that site preparation (pads, walkways, fencing, signage) and long‑term maintenance responsibility must be clearly defined in a lease before final approval — the court’s motion explicitly directed the county attorney to work with the historical society on those lease terms.

The parks board reviewed and approved the proposed relocation site. County staff and the parks board advised the court the selected site aims to balance public accessibility with protection from vandalism and to preserve a “frontier” setting for the cabin. Magistrates discussed alternatives, including Midway park, but said the county park site offers logistics and oversight advantages. The court’s approval covers relocation contingent on an acceptable lease; it does not authorize spending beyond what the lease and grant process require.

Clarifying details discussed: the cabin has been moved once before (in the 1970s); it contains historic fabric including masonry chimneys that affect relocation methods; one contractor model discussed involves public participation and ticketed preservation workshops as a fundraising mechanism. The court directed the county attorney to draft or review a lease and to return a proposal specifying site readiness, maintenance responsibilities, public access, and any in‑kind support the county would provide.

Ending: Squire Taylor and other magistrates said they will work with the historical society, parks staff and the county attorney to finalize lease terms and funding details, and will return the lease to the court for approval.