Joseph Holt Mansion

On a Sunday afternoon in 1997 while driving along State Highway 144 near Stephensport, Kentucky, Susan Dyer and her husband passed the Joseph Holt Mansion and her life changed forever. Originally built in the 1850s with some features dating to the 1870s — once part of Holt’s 10,000-acre estate — the home had been vacant for more than 50 years and deteriorated due to time, the elements, and lack of upkeep.

Joseph Holt Mansion tells the story of Susan’s tireless efforts to save the Holt mansion, initially by bringing awareness to the historical importance of Judge Joseph Holt and the Holt home to the people of Breckinridge County, Kentucky. Although told it couldn’t be restored, Susan began a campaign to restore the mansion to its former glory. Joseph Holt Mansion describes Susan’s “never say never” attitude and the thousands of hours spent in fund raising, grant writing, and leading the charge along with other volunteers and public officials to save the Holt mansion.

Judge Joseph Holt was born in Breckinridge County in 1807 and was buried in the Holt Family Cemetery east of the mansion in 1894. The mansion was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

Read Joseph Holt Mansion and learn the story behind the efforts to restore a true piece of Kentucky heritage.

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The Ida Lee Willis Preservation Foundation

Grassroots Preservation Award

May 17, 2023

Recently, one of Breckinridge County’s own Susan B. Dyer and the Friends of the Holt Home, Inc. received The Ida Lee Willis Memorial Foundation Grassroots Preservation Award in Maysville, Kentucky on May 17.

The purpose of the foundation is to recognize and honor worthy historic preservation efforts of all sizes across the Commonwealth.  Since the foundation’s beginning they have done this by sponsoring Kentucky’s signature preservation awards each year to highlight outstanding projects, service, and commitment. Nominations for the awards are invited from the public, reviewed by a panel of judges representing the foundation, state agencies and affiliated nonprofits. The awards are presented at an annual ceremony each May recognized as National Historic Preservation Month.

Each year many individuals, businesses, organizations, and local governments make significant contributions to preservation of Kentucky’s heritage. Through rehabilitation of an important building or structure, advocacy, investment of time or resources, or a lifetime commitment to encouraging and promoting historic preservation in the Commonwealth, all demonstrate an understanding of and appreciation for value of preservation and reusing Kentucky’s historic resources and protecting archaeological sites.

Since 1979 the Ida Lee Willis Foundation was chartered in honor of Ida Lee Willis, the first state historic preservation officer and director of the Kentucky Heritage Commission known today as the Kentucky Heritage Council/ State Historic Preservation Office.

Joseph Holt Home website

Save the Judge Holt Home facebook page

LTG Charles Pede, 40th TJAG Visits Holt Home

Susan Dyer receiving a medal from LTC Charles Pede, 40th TJAG on his visit to the Holt Home

The Judge Advocate General of The United States Army shaking hands with Susan Dyer. Work continues to make the home a National meeting place!

Photo credit Judy Nottingham and the Breckinridge County- Herald News

Meade County RECC article