Get to Know UWBG: Woodford County

As a part of a blog series, we are featuring one of the counties United Way of the Bluegrass serves each week.

Last week, we featured Montgomery County. This week, let’s get to know Woodford County!

Woodford County was one of Kentucky’s original nine counties. Scott County and Franklin County were later formed from parts of Woodford County. The County is home to Labrot & Graham (est. 1812), Kentucky’s oldest distillery. This is where the famous Woodford Reserve bourbon whiskey is made! Queen Elizabeth II of England also stayed at Lane’s End Farm in May 2007, which is in Woodford County.

Woodford County is comprised of two cities: Versailles and Midway. Versailles, the county seat, was founded in 1792 on land owned by Hezekiah Briscoe, who was only a child at the time of its founding. The city was named after Versailles, France in honor of General Lafayette, a Revolutionary War hero. The city was briefly occupied during the Civil War by both the Confederate and Union forces.

Midway was named for its location, which is directly between the cities of Frankfort and Lexington. Zerelda James, the mother of Jesse James, was born in Midway. If you live in central Kentucky, you’ve probably had Weisenberger grits. Weisenberger Mill is located in Midway and has been in the Weisenberger family for seven generations. It is the oldest continuously operating mill in the state of Kentucky and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

At United Way of the Bluegrass, we are proud to work with the men and women of Woodford County to make a difference across the Bluegrass, including our incredible Woodford County Board of Trustees!

During the last fiscal year:

Your support through financial gifts and volunteer time help to make an impact in the following organizations that serve Woodford County:

Agency Partners:

• Apprisen

• Arbor Youth Services

• AVOL

• Bluegrass Community Action Partnership

• Bluegrass Council of the Blind

• Child Care Council of Kentucky

• Child Development Centers of the Bluegrass

• GleanKY

• Food Pantry for Woodford County

• Girl Scouts of Kentucky's Wilderness Road Council

• GreenHouse17

• Growing Together Preschool

• Jubilee Jobs of Lexington

• Kidney Health Alliance of Kentucky

• Legal Aid of the Bluegrass

• Mentors&Meals

• Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass

• Kentucky Equal Justice Center

• Life Adventure Center of the Bluegrass

• The Nest - Center for Women, Children and Families

• Visually Impaired Preschool Services

• Woodford County 4-H Council

• Woodford County Reading Club

• Woodford County Theatrical Arts

• Woodford County Woman's Club "Coats and Shoes for Kids"

• YMCA of Central Kentucky

Stay tuned as we take a closer look at a volunteer and an organization in Woodford County.

Do you have any other fun facts about Woodford County? Share with us on Facebook!