The City of Covington has received a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Save America’s Treasures program to support the rehabilitation of the Frank Duveneck House and Studio at 1226 Greenup Street. The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development will match this amount through its Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation (G.R.A.N.T) program, effectively doubling the funding for the restoration project.
Frank Duveneck was a painter, sculptor, and teacher whose works are part of collections in institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Cincinnati Art Museum. The house, constructed in 1861 by Duveneck’s stepfather, served both as a family home and beer garden before being expanded in 1875. Around 1900, a studio was added behind the house where Duveneck worked until his death in 1919. The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.
Covington Mayor Ron Washington commented on the significance of this development: “Frank Duveneck is one of Covington’s greatest sons, and this grant ensures his legacy will be preserved for generations to come. After years of legal and financial hurdles, we can finally complete the greater part of the rehabilitation work to improve and restore a property that is part of our community’s story and part of America’s cultural heritage.”
The city secured legal control over the property following an eight-year process under Kentucky’s Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservatorship Act after it had fallen into neglect under its previous owner, the Frank Duveneck Arts and Cultural Center.
Walt Mace, Assistant Director of Neighborhood Services for Covington, said: “This wasn’t just about bricks and mortar. For years, we carefully built the case for why this property needed to be saved and what it would take to do it right. To now see real resources coming in to protect and restore it is incredibly rewarding.”
Kaitlin Bryan, Historic Preservation Specialist for Covington, added: “This award is a huge moment for Covington. It validates years of effort by staff and partners to prove why the Duveneck House and Studio deserved this investment. It’s a chance to preserve not just a building, but a legacy that connects Covington to the broader story of American art.”
With funding secured, Covington will begin federal Section 106 review with state historic preservation officials before issuing requests for proposals related to architectural design, engineering services, and construction work. Additional city funds have been allocated for specialized consulting services aimed at ensuring long-term project success.
The Save America’s Treasures program has provided more than $300 million across over 1,300 grants since its inception in 1998 through partnerships with agencies such as the National Park Service, National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, and Institute of Museum and Library Services.
