Kentucky’s state nickname is the Bluegrass, and that moniker doesn’t just refer to our rolling blue hills. Because when you visit a home in Kentucky with a front porch, you might notice that the ceiling of this ubiquitous Southern feature is painted blue. There’s a reason that porch ceilings in Kentucky are painted blue — and it might surprise you!
Here in the South, front porches aren’t simply an architectural feature; they are a way of life.
Lake Lou/Flickr
Because nothing says “warm welcome” more than a front porch decked out with rocking chairs, hanging plants, and sweet tea.
nschouterden/Flickr
But when you come a-calling here in Kentucky, you might notice something a bit unique about our front porches… particularly, their ceilings.
ilovebutter/Flickr
In the Bluegrass, it’s not just our rolling hills that are a blue hue, but our porch ceilings, too!
ilovebutter/Flickr
Why? Well, the painted blue porch ceiling started in the American South around 200 years ago. The practice traces back to the Gullah Geechee, enslaved people living in the low country of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.
EarlRShumaker/Flickr
According to Gullah folklore, ghosts, also referred to as “haints,” were not able to cross water. So in order to repel evil spirits from plantations, porch ceilings were painted a soft, robin’s egg blue. The color was meant to mimic water in an effort to keep any spirits at bay.
Russ Renbarger/Google Local
Today, that tradition continues all across the Southern states – Kentucky included. In fact, the new Southern Living House features blue-painted porch ceilings, too!
Steve Patino/Google Local (The color is “Misty SW 6232” by Sherwin Williams, for those interested!)
So the next time you visit your neighbor for a glass of sweet tea and long afternoon spent conversing on their blue-hued porch, you’ll know why it’s painted blue… and can rest assured that no evil spirits are joining you, too!
Gregory Westenhofer/Google Local
Have you noticed the blue porch ceilings in Kentucky before? Is your own porch ceiling painted a blue hue? What a wild fact about Kentucky!
Lake Lou/Flickr
nschouterden/Flickr
ilovebutter/Flickr
EarlRShumaker/Flickr
Russ Renbarger/Google Local
Steve Patino/Google Local
(The color is “Misty SW 6232” by Sherwin Williams, for those interested!)
Gregory Westenhofer/Google Local
Looking for more fun Bluegrass trivia? You’ll want to check out these weird-but-true state laws — some of which you may have inadvertently broken!
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