Window Restoration Campaign Update
By: Jessica Warren
When the L&N Depot was built in 1925, I can only imagine the heart and soul that went into every design decision. From selecting the perfect Bowling Green limestone, laying the Italian tile by hand in the grand lobby, and installing windows that welcomed in natural light while keeping out the cold.
For the next 54 years, thousands of guests walked through those doors, crossed that beautiful tile, and gazed out those very windows as they waited for loved ones arriving from faraway places. Others boarded trains themselves, full of excitement and anticipation, all while those windows quietly watched it all unfold.
In 1979, those same windows observed the last train leave the L&N Depot with passengers. And then it sat empty.
Until 1993 when some enterprising citizens of Bowling Green decided to save the Depot and they did a great job restoring it! Did you know there was a talk of tearing down this beautiful building? I am so glad they didn’t!
In 2025, the depot turned a century old. The team at the Historic RailPark & Train Museum set a lofty goal: to raise $155,000 to restore the Depot’s historic windows. Why, you may ask?
When I really think about it, this project isn’t about nostalgia, it’s about preservation, protection, and long-term stewardship. Over time, the windows deteriorated. The metal-framed windows needed refinishing and repainting; the wooden windows required full restoration, and the building itself needed better protection from the elements. Just as important, we knew this work had to be done by a company experienced with historic structures and their unique nuances.
Preserving these windows means preserving the integrity of the L&N Depot itself. It’s about ensuring the building continues to look and feel the way past generations remember it, because the windows are a vital part of that story.
Thanks to generous individuals and businesses, momentum quickly began to build. This summer, we exceeded our first milestone goal of $25,000, allowing us to complete Phase One of the project. That phase included restoring four windows and a transom on the end of the building facing the E8 Diesel locomotive, and they look fantastic! Yay!
To honor their role in this important effort, donors who contributed $100 or more received a special 3-D ornament of the iconic L&N Depot as a lasting reminder of their support.
Donations continued to pour in, especially during the “Paddles on the Platform” portion of RailPark Rendezvous. That evening brought a major boost to the campaign and an exciting announcement: the Debrey’s generously offered to match up to $50,000 in donations toward the window restoration project!
At 11:59pm on December 31st, 2025 we finished at 70% of our goal. That was good… but not good enough!
While 2025 has ended, the campaign continues. We can’t just restore 70% of the windows; we need to hit one hundred percent, which means the remaining 30% of our goal must be raised. The good news?
- We have exceeded our second-tier goal and will be able to begin work on the next section once the weather improves.
- The remaining $18,000 Debrey match is still available, just waiting to be matched.
- We still have commemorative ornaments ready to gift to those who help us cross the finish line.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported this project so far, and I thank you in advance for helping us preserve another aspect of this historic treasure for generations to come.
