Kentucky Museum facts for kids
| Location | 1444 Kentucky St, Bowling Green, Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Type | History museum, Art museum |
The Kentucky Museum is a cool place to explore history, art, and culture! It's located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, right on the campus of Western Kentucky University. Imagine a huge building with 80,000 square feet of space filled with amazing things to see.
You can discover all sorts of permanent exhibits here. These include ancient tools, beautiful art, old clothes, furniture, glass items, ceramics, colorful quilts, and even vintage toys and games. It's like a treasure chest of Kentucky's past!
Discovering the Kentucky Museum
What You Can See: Permanent Exhibits
The Kentucky Museum has many exciting exhibits that are always there for you to explore. One popular exhibit looks at the life of Duncan Hines. He was famous for his food guides and later for baking mixes!
You can also learn about the American Civil War from the viewpoint of people who lived in Kentucky. It helps you understand what life was like during that important time.
Another gallery shows off decorative arts. This means beautiful objects made by hand. You might see anything from an ancient Egyptian sarcophagus (a special coffin) to cool 1970s macramé (knotted art). There's also a special gallery filled with amazing regional quilts. These are like cozy blankets made from many pieces of fabric sewn together.
The museum also has changing galleries. These displays often feature art from the community. Sometimes, students from the university even design their own exhibits! There are also fun annual events, like open art shows where anyone can share their creations.
Don't miss the 1815 Log House! This old house shows you how people built homes long ago. You can see furniture, tools, and clothing that were used in the 1810s. It's like stepping back in time! The museum also offers hands-on programs for school groups. They have educational workshops for adults, interesting talks, and fun festivals too.
Past Adventures: Former Exhibits
The Kentucky Museum often changes its exhibits to keep things fresh and exciting. One special exhibit that was on display from September 2012 to May 2018 was called "Instruments of American Excellence."
This exhibit was super cool because it showed the actual tools or items that famous Americans used to do amazing things. Imagine seeing the real objects that helped change history! For example, it included items that belonged to important people like Madeleine Albright, the first female U.S. Secretary of State. You could also see things from Daniel Boone, a famous explorer. There were even items from former President Jimmy Carter, and the legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk! Other famous people featured included musician Roger Ingram, author and activist Helen Keller, and entertainer Liza Minnelli. It was a unique way to connect with history through everyday objects.
