Restoring, repairing and maintaining your old historic home

More than 30 historic districts have been identified within the boundaries of Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties. In the “necklace of pearls,” better known as the river cities of Ludlow, Covington, Newport, Bellevue and Dayton on the south shore of the Ohio, historic homes are abundant. Homeowners within these geographic areas may be eligible for Kentucky Historic Tax Credits, a program throughout Kentucky with a mission to preserve structures that tell the story of the state.

Northern Kentucky Restoration Weekend was originally conceived in 2012 to fill homeowners’ education gaps about the benefits of restoring their homes.

Preservationists throughout the Cincinnati region have collaborated for a one-day public event, NKY Restoration, which takes place on April 25, 2026. Professionals in windows, plaster, masonry, ironworks, roofing, heating and air conditioning, and other trades converge on Newport Intermediate School to share their wisdom with the public. Historic old home styles considered during the event include Victorian-era Queen Annes, Italianate town houses, American foursquares, shotgun cottages, and the Northern Kentucky town home.

Homeowners choose from a variety of sessions for hands-on experiences and to meet with contractors who can help them restore their homes. The committee that spearheads the NKY Restoration event counts on feedback from local preservation offices and attendees to plan topics that are most important to participants. They use the data to create foundational sessions.

“I think the most important thing is that homeowners will learn that support and resources are here in our community. Making those connections to contractors and local government helps them get a head start on their project as well as give them confidence to take on a project that might be out of their comfort zone,” according to Kaitlin Bryan, who serves the city of Covington as the regulatory services manager and historic preservation specialist.

Historic building materials such as plaster, wood windows, masonry, and box gutters are likely not found in big box stores or from many contractors who focus on contemporary construction. Additionally, working with historic materials requires expertise. Honoring original resources and replacing them only when they cannot be repaired is the optimal goal.

“Understanding how historic homes function, compatibility of materials, and best practices by craftspeople help residents be informed to plan, prioritize, converse with and hire contractors,” says Jody Robinson, a long-time preservationist from Bellevue.

Key characteristics of the homes in Northern Kentucky include elaborate cornices, stone belt courses, ornate brickwork, tall windows, and variations in construction such as a Second Empire mansion in Dayton or any of the numerous shotgun-style homes in Newport built for blue-collar workers at Weidemann Brewery. Along Covington’s Riverside Drive, grand mansions allow the imagination to run wild about what the pre-Civil War settlements were like.  

NKY Restoration is funded in part by the Kentucky Heritage Council, which provides a matching grant that funds 60% of the expenses with a guarantee from local government to match another 40%. This important arm of state government is in the business of preserving old buildings, homes and businesses. Each year, at least 10% of KHC’s federal Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) goes to Certified Local Governments for a variety of preservation projects, educational activities, studies, and updating documentation. The partnership between each governmental level demonstrates and emphasizes that preservation decisions are best made locally. Sponsorships by local businesses account for the rest of funding necessary for the event.

Kentucky has over 3,400 sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In Campbell County alone, there are more than 70 buildings listed. The Roebling Suspension Bridge is on the register. Boone County has over 100 properties. Restoration work requires criteria that is provided by KHC to individuals as well as local governments. The most important state provision is a 30% Qualified Rehabilitation Expenses credit to homeowners on projects costing more than $20,000.

The Saturday event is open to the public and free to attend. It begins with a continental breakfast in the cafeteria where information booths are set up so that homeowners can initially meet the experts. Many presenters are also available during the lunch hour. The main goal for the day is to connect homeowners with contractors who provide quality work. Sessions run simultaneously throughout the day until 3 p.m. when the last set of sessions concludes.

Northern Kentucky Restoration Weekend provides necessary tools for homeowners to help them preserve the quality of their homes with an added benefit of potential tax credits. The time to attend the event is time well spent, especially if your list of potential projects seems overwhelming.

What: NKY Restoration event informs homeowners about preservation methods and materials with opportunities to meet and learn from experienced contractors.

Where: Newport Intermediate School, 95 West 9^th Street, Newport, Ky.

When: Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Cost to attend: Free and open to the public.

Registration and more information: Visit NKY Restoration here to get registered.