The Bell House
The Gregorys donated the proceeds to the Metcalfe County Animal Shelter and these board members were in attendance. Pictured (L-R): PJ Martin, Lisa Boswell, Gina Gibson (Ellen’s sister), Ellen and Eric Gregory. The photo in the background is of the builder, J.H. Kinnaird. Photo | PJ Martin
By PJ Martin
Editor
The Herald-News
Metcalfe County has a lot of wonderful places to visit, but on December 15th a special event at a really special place occurred. The historic Bell House held its first open to the public event with tours of the beautifully restored home and tickets sold out quickly.
The event was held with the proceeds going to a local non-profit the Metcalfe County Animal Shelter.
Owners Ellen and Eric Gregory purchased the home in February 2015 and began the massive restoration journey that has taken almost 10 years to complete.
Ellen is the daughter of Richard Duncan whose mother was Kizzie Bell Duncan the granddaughter of J.H. Kinnaird who built the house for his daughter, Icyphenia Cora Bell, Kizzie’s mother.
The Gregorys listed the Bell House on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016 and have since spared no detail in their restoration using period paint colors, restored original furniture pieces, and original light fixtures along with other period pieces they purchased from antique stores, online, and at various shops.
The house located at 7310 Columbia Road was built in 1909 for Curtis and Icyphenia Bell in the Queen Ann style architecture which was popular at the time. The Gregorys have framed photos of the house during its construction and they also have the blueprints.
According to the Gregorys, the house had gotten in pretty bad shape before they purchased it. Their Facebook page Historic Bell House documents their labor of love repairing and restoring.
During the years of restoration, people would ask about scheduling the home for weddings, anniversaries, and photos. This began the idea of hosting limited events so others could enjoy the beauty of the house and property. Now that restoration is complete, the Gregorys are accepting requests to book events such as weddings, anniversary celebrations, and photo shoots.
Visit the website: www.historicbellhouse.com and Facebook page: Historic Bell House for the history and journey of this beautiful home that prominently sits in Metcalfe County.
The photo does not do it justice. The parlor was beautiful with the original couch, matching chair, and other period furniture. Photo | PJ Martin
A before photo of the house during restoration of the outside. Photo | Facebook Historical Bell House
This plaque commemorates the house being placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016. Photo | Facebook Historical Bell House
The Gregory family received the Service to Preservation Award from the Kentucky Heritage Council and the Ida Lee Willis Memorial Foundation. Photo | Facebook Historical Bell House
