Every architectural style is evident from the 15th and 16th century European post and beam with wattle and daub to the hewn log cabin; from the 18th century hand made brick home to the antebellum mansions with their slave quarters; from the ornate Victorian gingerbread sketchbook mansions and the Queen Anne revival houses to wonderful examples of the Arts and Crafts bungalow. It is the first permanent English Settlement west of the Allegheny Mountains and the birthplace of Western Expansion beyond the original colonies.

Concerned by the recent destruction, deterioration, and abandonment of local landmarks, a group of Mercer County Citizens formed the James Harrod Trust.

The Trust is a nonprofit advocate for historic preservation which will strive to protect and promote the cultural, natural, historic, architectural, and archaeological heritage of Harrodsburg and Mercer County to enhance the quality of life for this and future generations.

Our goals are to raise awareness, educate and advocate preservation in our community.  To achieve this ongoing goal we have and continue to: →conduct guided walking tours in historic districts → supply speakers and materials for work shops and displays →designate historic districts with signage →developed a self-guided walking/driving tour throughout our county designating historic properties and pioneer stations.  These sites have numbered signs with verbiage as to their importance.  A brochure complete with map is available.

The Trust is a resource and advocacy organization that encourages problem solving and the exchange of ideas between similar organizations, property owners, government and the general public.