After a half century of effort, Eastern Kentucky University has acquired the Elmwood Estate. The mansion and 20 acres of property, which sits directly across from EKU on Lancaster Avenue, has been a private residence. Elmwood, which was built in 1887, is believed to be Kentucky’s only Chateauesque-style house outside Louisville.
The 9,000 square feet, the three-story structure is one of four residences in Richmond designed by Cincinnati architect Samuel E-Des Jardins.
EKU President Doug Whitlock promised to preserve the property’s “beautiful vista” and all new construction would be consistent with existing structures. The EKU president says the “park-like property” would be “a remarkable alumni-development center. The property was donated to EKU, but the school will pay for $400-thousand in recent improvements.
