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| Lost Lexington author Peter Brackney and the author of the book’s foreword, Mayor Jim Gray, in the Mayor’s Office. |
On November 4, 2014, Mayor Jim Gray was re-elected mayor of Lexington. Also on that date, my book Lost Lexington was published. I was fortunate enough that the good Mayor penned the foreword to that book.
Though his family and he have had their success in the development and construction sector, Mayor Jim Gray is a friend to historic preservation. He is a leader who does not cut corners, but instead looks for forward-thinking, long-term solutions.
Did I mention that Mayor Gray is a supporter of preserving our cultural heritage?
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| Mayor Jim Gray and I sharing thoughts on historic Lexington and the book Lost Lexington soon after publication. |
Given that Mayor Jim Gray announced earlier today that he is challenging Senator Rand Paul, I thought it was a good moment to remind readers of Gray’s Lost Lexington involvement. Below is the foreword he penned for the book:
In the nearly two and a half centuries since Lexington was founded in 1775, this once-frontier settlement has grown into a flourishing city of more than 300,000 residents. It has produced some remarkable landmarks and people. These entrepreneurs, intellectuals and civic leaders had the imagination and vision that helped make Lexington what it is today: a city that embraces new ideas and innovation while valuing its rural landscape and authentic past.
The story of how Lexington has evolved to its present-day landscape is a story of balancing preservation and progress. Philosophies, priorities and ideas change—for better or for worse. And of course, Lexington’s architecture and landscape have reflected those changes. In Lost Lexington, Peter Brackney highlights several sites that, for a variety of reasons, did not survive as the city grew. Brackney’s work explores structures that were lost over a century ago, as well as more modern buildings and attractions, of which many readers will have personal memories and recollections.
Reflecting on Lexington’s architectural journey is a meaningful exercise. Drawing upon Brackney’s fascinating research, we can see these stories as important lessons for the way forward. As Lexington continues to reinvent itself, it is the city’s unique and rich past that will inform and inspire its future.
Jim Gray
Mayor of Lexington
If you are interested in learning more about Jim Gray’s candidacy for U.S. Senate, click here.
And if you want to pick up a copy of Lost Lexington, click here.