The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation's annual Lexington Antiques and Garden Show runs through Sunday at Keeneland Race Course.

The show, with more than 50 nationally known antiques and gardening specialists, showcases 18th-, 19th- and 20th-century furniture, paintings, porcelains, estate jewelry and Oriental rugs.

The garden tent, expanded this year, includes gardens, design and landscaping ideas and outdoor furnishings.

Classic American theme

This year's show theme, "Classic American Style," was inspired by the Sen. John and Eliza Pope Villa in Lexington, which was designed by B.H. Latrobe, architect of the White House and the U.S. Capitol during the Jefferson presidency.

Show admission will include a shuttle to the Pope Villa on Grovesnor Avenue and a free tour 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Tours will be given by experts on Latrobe and the Pope Villa, including Patrick Snadon, associate professor of architecture and interior design at the University of Cincinnati and author of the upcoming book Inventing the American House: The Domestic Architecture of Benjamin Henry Latrobe.

From 6:30-8:30 p.m. today, wine and hors d'oeuvres will be served at the villa.

Inspired by party

The event was inspired by a party there in 1819 that was attended by President James Monroe, Gen. Andrew Jackson and Kentucky Gov. Isaac Shelby. Cost: $35 per person or $60 per couple.

The show will be open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. today and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $10 daily, $15 run of show.

Proceeds from the show will benefit the Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation, a group dedicated to providing education, service and advocacy.

Information: (859) 253-0362.