Come join us for a day of fun at the

2012 Knox County Barn Tour!

Knox County Barn Tour
Featured Barns
Tour Map and Directions
Special Events
About the Photographers
About Us
The Lady Barn Consultant
Items For Sale
Contact Us
Site Map
Our Mission
The Owl Creek Conservancy is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving natural and agricultural lands in the Knox County area through widespread private action. We work with landowners for the public good to maintain and to improve the quality of life now and in the future by preserving woodland, wetlands, farmlands, scenic vistas, and wildlife habitats of environmental, historic and community importance.
 
Who we are
The Owl Creek Conservancy, a land trust, is working to preserve lands of natural and historic importance in and around Knox County. We recognize that our natural and agricultural heritage enriches the lives of all citizens and that the land-use choices we make today will determine the future character of our community and region.

What we do
The Conservancy works in partnership with landowners to permanently preserve important land from development. The main tool the Conservancy uses to accomplish this goal is a permanent conservation easement. The Conservancy may also accept gifts of land. Both of these options for protecting land not only benefit the community but can bring significant tax benefits to the donor as well. In addition to taking direct action to preserve land, the Conservancy works to educate the public about the advantages of land conservation, the diverse land assets of Knox County, and the benefits of wise land-use planning.
 
Why we do what we do
The conservancy works for the public good to maintain and to improve the quality of life now and in the future for all inhabitants of Knox County.

 

 

 

Mission and Origin

KCRF was created in 1988 to encourage and promote the preservation and development of Knox County's historic, cultural and architectural hertiage. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation open to anyone willing to contribute time, talent, enthusiam, resources or creativity.

 

To further that goal we recently purchased the former IOOF building at 114 South Main Street for restoration and our new home.

 

Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month. See our website www.kcrf.wordpress.com for details.

 

Completed Projects

  • Pioneered the establishment of the Knox County Visitor's Bureau
  • Developed the Dan Emmett Music & Arts Festival
  • Initiated the restoration of the 1851 Woodward Opera House
  • Promoted and facilitated the installation of the Mary Ann Ball Bickerdyke and John Vallandigham historic markers
  • Consulted to the Office of the Mayor and designer of the historic districts street signage and posts installed for the Mount Vernon 2005 Bicentennial
  • Publisher of two editions of the Three National Historic Districts Guide
  • Designer of the "Looking up Mount Vernon" poster

 

Ongoing Projects

 

  • Restoration of the IOOF building
  • Sponsorship of tours of historic homes, churches, public buildings and barns
  • Facilitation and consultation with Mound View Cemetery for the restoration of the priceless encaustic tile floor and tile wainscoting
  • Lobbying for the preservation of architecurally significant buildings including educational projects
  • Yearly KCRF Award for Outstanding Architectural Restoration or Contribution to the Community