Welcome Friends to Griffith Woods
Griffith Woods
Griffith Woods contains the best known remnant of the unique and fascinating bluegrass savanna-woodland and other vegetation that once covered this region before the pioneer area. The savanna is characterized by scattered, large trees and undergrowth with course grasses such as wild rye and running buffalo clover. Dominant species include blue ash, chinquapin oak, bur oak, hickories and black walnut, and many of the trees are more than 300 years old. In fact, the world's largest chinquapin oak is found at Griffith Woods.
Image of chinquapin oak
Owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy, the University of Kentucky and the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission, this 745 acre protected site provides an extraordinary opportunity for researchers to study and develop ecological restoration models. Native plants propagated at the site, such as cane, will be used to restore the woods and other areas within the Central Kentucky region.
Griffith Tavern
A rare, Federal style tavern/inn building at the center of the property will be rehabilitated as an educational conference center and trailhead for visitors to Griffith Woods. Called Silver Lake Place by the six generations of family members who lived there, Griffith Tavern was built in 1827 as an inn on the old Lexington-Cincinnati turnpike. This historic structure is significant for being one of the few tavern/inn buildings still standing in Kentucky.
The non-profit group, Friends of Griffith Woods, has committed to raising the funds to rehabilitate the tavern. During the restoration process, history and architecture students will have hands-on learning experiences in historic preservation. Eventually the tavern will be the headquarters for all the educational activities at Griffith Woods.
Aerial view of the Tavern