Kentucky Historical Society facts for kids
The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) is an organization that helps us learn about Kentucky's past. It started way back in 1836. The KHS collects and keeps important old papers, buildings, and items that tell the story of Kentucky.
You can find the KHS campus in downtown Frankfort, Kentucky. It includes three main places: the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, the Old State Capitol, and the Kentucky Military History Museum. The KHS wants to teach everyone about Kentucky's history. They also let people explore their resources online and in person.
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Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History
The Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History is the main building for the KHS. It's a large museum and research center. Here, you can see both permanent and changing exhibits. There's also a special library for research and a gift shop.
One main exhibit is called "A Kentucky Journey." It shows Kentucky's history from ancient times all the way to today. The center also has the Martin F. Schmidt Research Library. This library helps people learn about their family history and Kentucky's past. You can find books, old letters, pictures, and recorded stories there.
The center also has the Keeneland Changing Exhibits Gallery. This is where different temporary shows are displayed. Past exhibits have included "Beyond the Log Cabin: Kentucky's Abraham Lincoln" and "Made to be Played: Traditional Art of Kentucky Luthiers." Don't forget to visit the Stewart Home & School 1792 Museum Store for souvenirs!
Old State Capitol
The Old State Capitol is a very important building. It was Kentucky's government center from 1830 to 1910. Many important discussions happened here, including talks about big issues like slavery and war. Today, the building looks like it did in the early 1850s. It even has some original items from that time.
A young architect named Gideon Shryock designed this beautiful building. It's built in the Greek Revival style, which looks like ancient Greek temples. This was the third building to serve as Kentucky's capital.
The Kentucky Historical Society used to be located in the Old State Capitol. The Society started in 1836 with help from the General Assembly. They met for many years, then took a break. When the Society started up again in 1896, they moved into the Old State Capitol. However, their collections grew too big for that space. So, the new Kentucky Historical Center was built and opened in 1999. Today, the Old State Capitol is still part of the KHS. It's now a museum that shows how government worked in the past.
Kentucky Military History Museum
The Kentucky Military History Museum is located in the State Arsenal building. This strong, fortress-like building was built in 1850. It sits high up, looking over downtown Frankfort. The museum tells stories of military history using personal items and artifacts. The first State Arsenal building actually burned down in 1836.
The Arsenal played a big role in the Civil War and for the National Guard. It was turned into a museum in 1974. The building has recently been updated. This museum is also part of the Army Museum System.
Martin F. Schmidt Research Library
The Martin F. Schmidt Research Library is on the second floor of the Thomas D. Clark Center. It has the largest collection of family history records in Kentucky. This library has over 16,000 rolls of microfilm and 90,000 books. It also has many files focused on Kentucky's history and family trees.
The library's collections include old letters, maps, recorded stories, and thousands of historic photos. These resources help people research Kentucky's past. You can look at the library's resources online through the KHS website. You can also visit in person to see the documents and articles.
The Register
The Register is a special journal published by the KHS. It started in 1903 and has been published ever since. The articles in The Register share information and documents about Kentucky's history. It covers events important to Kentucky and also major world events.
Jennie Chinn Molton started The Register and was its first editor. Today, many people help edit The Register. All of the articles are available for everyone to read. The Register includes work from important scholars. It is also easy for general readers to understand. You can find articles from The Register on websites like Project Muse and JSTOR.
Other Information
You can become a member of the Kentucky Historical Society. Your membership helps the KHS continue its work. Members also get free entry to the history campus and lower prices for KHS events. The KHS is managed by a special committee and supported by the KHS Foundation, which is a nonprofit group.
You can visit the KHS with a guided tour, explore on your own, or even take a virtual tour online. The prices for tours vary depending on the type you choose.
The KHS is also home to a big online project called the Civil War Governors of Kentucky Digital Documentary Edition (CWGK). This project collects thousands of historical documents from Kentucky's governors during the Civil War (1860–1865). It helps us learn about the lives of many Kentuckians who interacted with the governor's office during that time.
The KHS has several places you can rent for events. These include Commonwealth Hall, conference rooms, and the Cralle-Day Garden. There are seven different spaces in total that you can rent for small or large gatherings.
