In 1973, Phillip Tibbs, MD, graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, remaining in Lexington to complete his residency in neurosurgery. When he completed his medical training in 1979, he joined the neurosurgery faculty in the College of Medicine.
During his time at UK, Dr. Tibbs ascended through the ranks — assistant professor, associate professor, professor, and eventually neurosurgery chair from 2008-2020. He also was part of three landmark publications that helped establish the standard of care in neurosurgery. In addition to his research, training residents and surgical procedures, Dr. Tibbs also helped develop and direct the UK Spine Center.
Dr. Tibbs completed nearly 20,000 surgeries throughout his 50 years with UK College of Medicine Department of Neurosurgery.
Dr. Tibbs is also a noted history enthusiast with years devoted to his avocation, including spending time on the board of directors for the Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation. Upon retiring, he shared in an interview that he planned “to spend more time restoring and preserving history”.
Now, just over a year later, Dr. Tibbs is being recognized for his work in preserving central Kentucky’s important rural heritage.
During its annual meeting in October, Preservation Kentucky presented the 2024 Preservation Kentucky-Barbara Hulette Excellence in Preservation Leadership Award to Dr. Phillip and Mrs. Trudy Tibbs.
According to the release, Preservation Kentucky established its Excellence in Preservation Awards to “recognize exceptional accomplishments in the preservation, rehabilitation and interpretation of our architectural and cultural heritage, and to distinguish best practices in the field.”
The following is excerpted from the news release:
They have given generously of themselves—their time, team building talents, negotiating skills, and financial support—to preserve Central Kentucky’s important rural heritage, overcoming many challenges along the way, and often working quietly in the background to purchase, restore and repurpose endangered properties.
Their love of Kentucky’s Federal period architecture prompted their purchase of Forest Retreat, the 1814 home of Thomas Metcalf, stone mason, 1812 war General, and Governor of Kentucky in 1828. It was this treasure that made them social activists on the spot when transportation plans threatened to destroy the historic stone walls that fronted their property, and the Forest Retreat Tavern, legendary inn, post office and stagecoach stop built in 1806, that sat directly across from their house and barn.
Purchasing the Tavern and convincing transportation officials to put a new road elsewhere to protect a recognized Historic District, resulted in a less costly and more traffic efficient new road, almost a mile from Forest Retreat, that is a much safer and better engineered roadway than could ever have been accomplished with the original plan.
The Tibbs’ devoted stewardship and commitment to heritage shines throughout the properties they have preserved. Each exemplifies a respect for material cultural, attention to historical significance and integrity, and a willingness to partner with community advocates and public officials to place historic preservation at the center of conversations about maintaining and improving the quality and experience of everyday life.
In Carlisle and Paris, the Tibbs intervened – like most preservation heroes, at the eleventh hour – to save commercial buildings in places suffering from rural outmigration and its effects on the small-town central places that served as community centers. They have committed to preservation by purchasing, restoring, and offering to community members historic buildings threatened by desecration and demolition, holding those properties in safety during the interim.
These properties include Forest Retreat, the 1814 home of Kentucky Governor Thomas Metcalf in Nicholas County; Varden’s Pharmacy and Odd Fellows Building on Main Street in Paris; Daniel Boone Cabin in Carlisle; Kentucky Doll and Toy Museum on Main Street in Carlisle; and the Athens Schoolhouse on Walnut Hill Road in Lexington.