Travis Rose is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Historic Preservation at the University of Kentucky’s College of Design. Since 2012, he has taught courses on the history, theory, and methods of preservation, preparing students to critically engage with the built environment. At Kentucky, he has contributed through practical research, securing grants for sustainability projects, and leading community engagement initiatives. His teaching emphasizes the practical application of preservation principles within contemporary contexts.
Rose holds an MFA in Historic Preservation from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and a BA in History from Anderson University. Before joining the University of Kentucky, he worked as an architectural field surveyor for the Indiana DNR Division of Historic Preservation & Archeology and as the executive director of Pleasant Retreat: The Governor William Owsley House, a historic house museum. He also gained experience with The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters, focusing on interpretation, documentation, and conservation.
At the University of Kentucky, Rose’s teaching connects students to the tangible and intangible aspects of heritage, emphasizing preservation’s role in cultural identity and community resilience. His professional background informs his pedagogy, offering a balanced perspective on the challenges in historic preservation.
HP101: Historic Preservation: How the Past Informs the Future
HP200: Historic Preservation: History, Heritage, and the Built World
HP252: Adaptive Reuse and Treatments for Historic Buildings
HP501: Adaptive Reuse
HP611: American Architecture II: 1865-2000
HP613: Historic Structural Systems and Building Materials
2023
Conserving Keeneland: Building Conditions Assessment of 3443 Entertainment Court, Lexington, Kentucky 40510
Conservationist/Teacher
Travis Rose, Students of HP 613
2022
Documenting Change: Creating a Visitor Experience Documenting the Adaptive Reuse of the Reynolds/Gray Building
Co-PI/Researcher/Conservationist
Travis Rose, SK O’Brien, Emily Bergeron, Joe Brewer, and Daniel Livingston
2021
Tour the Historic Bluegrass: Adaptive Reuse Walking Tour of Lexington
Researcher/Teacher
Travis Rose, Students of HP 252, Brittany Sams (Bluegrass Trust for Historic Preservation)
Conserving Crossings Lexington
Conservationist/Teacher
Travis Rose, Students of HP 613
Walking Tour of the Thompson Historic District in Winchester, Kentucky
Researcher/Teacher
Travis Rose, Julie Riesenweber, Students of HP 611
2019
Conservation Assessment of the McEldowney Building, Winchester, Kentucky
Conservationist/Teacher
Travis Rose, Students of HP 613
2018
Sustainability Guidelines for Historic Campus Buildings
Co-PI/Researcher/Conservationist
Travis Rose, Julie Riesenweber, Daniel Vivian, Doug Appler, Christina Birkentall, and Brent Sturlaugson.
2017
Conserving the New Life Day Center for the Homeless, 220 and 224 North Martin Luther King Boulevard, Lexington, Kentucky 40507
Conservationist/Teacher
Travis Rose, Students of HP 613
2016
Conserving West Main Street, Danville, Kentucky 40422
Conservationist/Teacher
Travis Rose, Students of HP 613
2015
Conservation Assessment of the Luigart Hemp Warehouse
Conservationist/Teacher
Travis Rose, Students of HP 613
2014
Architectural Field Survey of Aurora Avenue
Researcher/Teacher
Travis Rose, Students of HP 612
Conserving the Morton House
Conservationist/Teacher
Travis Rose, Students of HP 613
2013
Conditions Assessment of the Historic Garrard County Jail
Conservationist/Teacher
Travis Rose, Students of HP 613
2022 University of Kentucky, Sustainability Challenge Grant.
“Documenting Change: Creating a Visitor Experience Documenting the Adaptive Reuse of the Reynolds/Gray Building,” with SK O’Brien, Emily Bergeron, Joe Brewer, and Daniel Livingston ($38,174).
2018 University of Kentucky, Sustainability Challenge Grant.
This grant was secured to develop sustainability guidelines for historic campus buildings. Julie Riesenweber, Daniel Vivian, Doug Appler, Christina Birkentall, Brent Sturlaugson ($32,715).
2015 University of Kentucky, Electronic Learning Initiative (eLii).
This grant was secured to develop online graduate courses for the Department of Historic Preservation. Gregory Luhan, Allison CarllWhite, Doug Appler, Julie Riesenweber, Emily Bergeron, Clyde Carpenter ($141,000).
