A Kentucky Treasure – Mrs. Milly Ann Stewart

Barry Stumbo, Chief Development Officer

Mrs. Milly Ann Stewart is a remarkable person, who has been a powerful and influential leader for historic preservation in Kentucky for over five decades. Mrs. Stewart was recently selected by the Kentucky Heritage Council for the Ida Lee Willis Memorial Award, Kentucky’s most distinguished celebration of historic preservation excellence.

Mrs. Stewart receives the Ida Lee Willis Memorial Award, with, (from l to r), Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin, Chair of the Ida Lee Willis Memorial Foundation Steve Collins, State Historic Preservation Officer Craig Potts, and friend and Secretary of the Ida Lee Willis Memorial Foundation Barbara Hulette.

During her acceptance speech at the award ceremony, Mrs. Stewart spoke passionately about many historic sites and projects she has supported over the years, and one of those projects is the Campaign for Shaker Village . Mrs. Stewart later remarked, “The reason I’m so impressed with Shaker Village is because it’s a major entity of our history. It was so important to the early settlers and the Shakers were so innovative, and their agricultural practices were ahead of their time.”

She added, “Their craftsmanship and furniture were outstanding and their work benefited the entire community. The whole village was remarkable for its time and expresses the way of life they lived which was so different from the fast-pace world today.”

Mrs. Stewart served on the Kentucky Heritage Council under Governor Julian Carroll and Governor John Y. Brown from 1975-83. During Governor Carroll’s administration she chaired the Mansion Restoration Committee, and in that role she raised the money necessary to refurbish the Governor’s Mansion at a time when the legislature chose not to fund the project. She went on to raise money for the restoration of Kentucky’s Old State Capitol as well as the state’s History Center and the Barstow House, next door. In Lexington she was a major supporter of Henry Clay Estate, Ashland, and the John Hunt Morgan House and Frankfort’s Liberty Hall. There are so many other preservation projects she has touched throughout the years that space doesn’t allow us to name them all!

Mrs. Milly Ann Stewart and her husband, Dr. John P. Stewart II.

Barbara Hulette, Mrs. Stewart’s longtime friend and fellow preservationist said, “Milly has made such a tremendous impact on historic preservation in Kentucky, and she does it quietly with style and grace. She doesn’t seek recognition for her accomplishments. She does it because she wants to preserve Kentucky’s rich heritage for generations to come.”

Mrs. Stewart was also responsible for getting the entire Stewart Home & School (formerly the historic Kentucky Military Institute) on the National Register of Historic Places. A fore runner of its time as a community and school for individuals with intellectual disabilities, the Stewart Home & School of Frankfort was established in 1893 by John Q. A. Stewart, M.D. and has been continuously operated by the Stewart family for over 125 years. For 58 years the late John P. Stewart II, M. D. led the school along with other members of the family, and dedicated son-in-law Barry Banker. The fifth generation of the Stewart family are very involved today with Mrs. Stewart’s son, John D. Stewart II, M. D., stepping into his father’s shoes and working alongside Barry Banker.

The Stewart family.

Mrs. Stewart has four children John, Jean Ann, Charles and Cathy. Cathy is a former Board of Trustee at Shaker Village. She also has seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Stewart recently said “Preserving this national treasure is so important for future generations. That’s why I feel so strongly about Shaker Village!”

Shaker Village and so many other organizations are grateful for what she has accomplished. She is truly a Kentucky treasure!

Good Giving Inspires Great Things

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The Pleasant Hill Shakers quietly blazed their own trail, while challenging perspectives on the Kentucky frontier for more than 100 years. Their unconventional ideas left a lasting imprint on the great American experiment, and their simple, but remarkable contributions to modern concepts of community, sustainability and ingenuity continue to teach us today.

Their work inspires our workwe are on a mission to inspire generations through discovery by sharing the legacies of these Shakers. Today, this Village at work is challenged to keep pace with the Shakers’ resourcefulness and unmatched inventiveness. They made great things happen, and we strive to live up to their example.

Every day, we are working to restore irreplaceable examples of Shaker architecture through new, modern preservation methods. We’re also restoring native habitats, saving pollinators, promoting fresh-from-the-farm foods, conserving priceless artifacts and encouraging healthy communities. And at the heart of it, we are working to connect this site with trailblazers of all ages to inspire tomorrow’s learners, makers and doers.

There’s so much to doand we need your help to grow the impact of this great work! Explore new ways to preserve history. Go on a Discovery Trek and save the Monarchs. Send your kids to camp to learn about backyard biodiversity. Boost local foodways and farmers. Give the gift of an annual pass. Most importantly, please consider making a financial contribution to support our everyday Village@Work projects. By doing so, you ensure that the legacies of the Pleasant Hill Shakers remain an important influence in shaping our future.

As a non-profit organization, Shaker Village relies on financial support from friends and neighbors to fund the seeds of discovery all year. Along with revenues from the Inn, Trustees’ Table, Shops and other sales, unrestricted gifts are needed every month to keep this Village working and to purchase feed, nails, bee boxes, camp supplies, seeds, paint, mowers, plants and so much more.

Your contribution is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law and goes directly to caring for the Pleasant Hill Shakers’ 34 remaining structures, 3,000 acres of conserved land and growing impact on tomorrow’s trailblazers. With your help, we make great things happen at Shaker Village!

Will you join us in our quest to ignite tomorrow’s trailblazers?


Shaker Village is excited to be a part of this year’s #givingtuesday initiative on November 29. Don’t wanna wait until then? Make your gift now.