New Historical Marker Unveiled at Coldstream
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 25, 2012) — The president of the University of Kentucky Student Development Council, Jonathon Nunley, joined Kentucky Historical Society Executive Director Kent Whitworth, UK Vice President for University Relations Tom Harris and others to dedicate the latest addition to the Live Blue Legacy historical marker program Wednesday, Oct. 24.
The marker was made possible through donations from members of a recently graduated class. This historical highway marker, the 18th in a series, pays tribute to the first winner of the Kentucky Derby, the legendary horse Aristides, who was born on a farm which is now part of UK's Coldstream Research Campus.
The dedication ceremony and unveiling of the marker took place at a site located between McGrathiana Parkway and the Legacy Trail on the Coldstream campus.
Since 1994, the Live Blue Legacy Program has supported the placement of Kentucky Historical Society Highway Markers across the UK campus. The Live Blue Legacy Program is administered by the Student Development Council, whose members solicit gifts from members of the graduating class, in this case the Class of 2011. These funds are used to purchase, install and dedicate a marker in the name of that particular class.
Potential topics for the markers are selected from an approved list by the UK Historical Marker Committee, which is chaired by the Associate Director of Annual Giving/Student Development Council Advisor. A list of three potential marker topics is presented to members of the graduating class and a vote determines the final topic.
This is the first time in the program's history that a marker is being placed in a location away from UK's main contiguous campus near downtown Lexington.
In May 1875, an estimated 10,000 fans watched as Aristides, known as the "little red horse," won the race which has gone on to become one of the most celebrated events in the entire sporting world. Aristides' rider was a19-year-old African-American jockey, Oliver Lewis. Aristides was born on Hal Price McGrath's farm, McGrathiana. The colt was trained by Ansel Williamson, who was inducted into the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame in 1998.
Nunley said, "This is a very exciting time of the year for the Student Development Council (SDC) and the university. We are incredibly lucky to be able to erect a historical marker every year which is funded entirely by students. SDC takes great pride in the rich tradition that our university and Commonwealth provide us as students every day and this marker is our way of showing it."
"We're proud of this longstanding partnership with UK and deeply appreciate the generous gifts made by each graduating class to share a piece of UK and Kentucky history through the marker program," said Whitworth, executive director of the Kentucky Historical Society.
This UK historical marker project is done in cooperation with the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
The Student Development Council has raised more than $110,000 for the marker program and student scholarships since the inception of the Live Blue Legacy Program.
CONTACT: Carl Nathe, (859) 257-3200; carl.nathe@uky.edu.