“Notables of Todd County II” TO BE PUBLISHED

Notables of Todd County now sits proudly in 71 of Kentucky’s 120 counties, in all 50 U.S. states, and in several countries of the world including France, Germany, Japan, Italy, Canada, the Marshall Islands, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka.

CLW, a trustee for the Green River Academy, announced at last month’s meeting of the GRA’s Board of Trustees that Notables of Todd County II is in the process of publication. A draft of the book has already been sent to the graphic designer, and pictures to accompany the entries are now being finalized. This effort, a fundraiser to assist the Green River Academy Preservation Society in its goal to restore the historic Green River Academy located on Goebel Avenue, will see over 35 people, places, memories, and events related to Todd County’s rich history as entries in this 10-by-10 coffee table book. Plans are for it to be published by Jostens of Clarksville with the anticipated book launch for Notables II in early November this year.

Currently the GRA Preservation Society is seeking sponsors for Notables II with sponsorships available for $250.00. Laura Brock, treasurer of the GRA, has set August 22, 2025, as the deadline for sponsorships with those payable to the GRA. Checks can be mailed to the Green River Academy at P.O. Box 869, Elkton, KY 42220, or you can reach out to Laura or CLW as well for a sponsorship form. If you have questions about this fundraiser, you can contact the Green River Academy at greenriveracademy@gmail.com. It is important to know sponsorships will enable the GRA Board of Trustees to accrue more monies to move forward with the restoration effort for the GRA. For those not familiar with the GRA, it was a former Academy originally founded for the Classical education of young women and later included education for young men. In 1930, interviews of formerly enslaved people indicate that educators at Green River Academy taught the enslaved to read and write. The Academy is also considered to be the beginning of formal education in Todd County.

Of interest is that in recent weeks the new fence at the Academy has been painted in a historic color, and this week a representative from a window restoration group from Lexington is scheduled to assess the window needs for the Academy. Since the publication of Notables of Todd County in 2022, more custom windows have been added to the structure. Expressing her thanks for the effort required for Notables II, Laura messaged, “We are so appreciative for being gifted Notables of Todd County II by Carolyn. Her dedication to documenting the people and stories that shaped and continue to shape our community ensures Todd County’s rich history is preserved for future generations.”

This latest fundraising effort, one that will include both word descriptions and art, has as its emphasis a chronicle of the abundant collection of people, places, memories, and events found in Todd County. When we consider the 200 plus years of our county’s existence, we can all reflect upon “notable” individuals, places, memories, and events that stand out in our minds. Obviously, many other “notables” not documented can be found in Todd County; please also realize entries included in this edition are also ones penned with a goal to include many of the areas of Todd County.