List of museums in Kentucky facts for kids

A museum is a special place where interesting things from the past or present are collected, cared for, and shown to the public. These things can be about history, art, science, or culture. They help us learn about the world and the people who lived before us. Kentucky has many amazing museums, each with unique collections and stories to tell!

Awesome Museums in Kentucky

Here's a list of some cool museums you can visit in Kentucky:

• 1817 Saddle Factory Museum
  • Location: Russellville
  • What you'll find: Learn about the history of a saddle factory, the people who worked there, and the products they made. It's operated by Historic Russellville.

• Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
  • Image:
    

    The cabin where Abraham Lincoln was born.
  • Location: Hodgenville
  • What you'll find: This park protects two farm sites where Abraham Lincoln lived when he was a child. It's a great place to learn about the early life of one of America's most famous presidents.

• Adsmore
  • Image:
    

    Adsmore, a Victorian home.
  • Location: Princeton
  • What you'll find: This is a Victorian-era home that offers "living" tours. This means the tours change with the seasons, showing how people lived in different times of the year long ago.

• American Cave Museum
  • Location: Horse Cave
  • What you'll find: Explore the world of caves, learn about groundwater, and understand how pollution affects our water. You can even take a tour of Hidden River Cave!

• American Saddlebred Museum
  • Location: Lexington
  • What you'll find: Located at the Kentucky Horse Park, this museum tells the story of the American Saddlebred horse. You'll see art, trophies, photos, and horse riding gear.

• Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate
  • Image:
    

    Ashland, the home of Henry Clay.
  • Location: Lexington
  • What you'll find: This was the plantation home of Henry Clay, an important Kentucky statesman from the 1800s. It's a look into life in the 19th century.

• Aviation Museum of Kentucky
  • Image:
    

    Historic airplanes at the Aviation Museum of Kentucky.
  • Location: Lexington
  • What you'll find: See historic airplanes, photos, documents, and training equipment related to aviation history.

• Bardstown Historical Museum
  • Image:
    

    Spalding Hall, home to the Bardstown Historical Museum.
  • Location: Bardstown
  • What you'll find: Discover the local history of Bardstown. It's located in Spalding Hall, which also houses another museum about whiskey history.

• Barthell Coal Mining Camp
  • Location: Whitley City
  • What you'll find: This is an open-air museum that shows what a coal mining camp was like. You can see a barber shop, bath house, doctor's office, and even take a mine tour!

• Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum
  • Location: Marion
  • What you'll find: This museum has a large collection of minerals, including many beautiful fluorite specimens. It's a great place to learn about rocks and geology.

• Big Bone Lick State Park
  • Image:
    

    A recreated bog diorama at Big Bone Lick State Park.
  • Location: Big Bone
  • What you'll find: The visitor center has fossils found in the park. Outside, you can see a recreated bog with models of extinct animals that once lived there.

• Blue Heron Coal Mining Camp
  • Image:
    

    The restored coal tipple at Blue Heron.
  • Location: Blue Heron
  • What you'll find: This is a restored former company town where coal miners and their families lived. It shows what life was like in a mining community.

• Bluegrass Railroad and Museum
  • Location: Versailles
  • What you'll find: Experience a heritage railroad and explore a museum dedicated to the history of trains.

• Blue Licks Battlefield State Park
  • Image:
    

    The Pioneer Museum at Blue Licks Battlefield State Park.
  • Location: Mount Olivet
  • What you'll find: The Pioneer Museum here has exhibits about a battle that happened during the American Revolution. You can also learn about the local nature and culture.

• Brennan House & Medical Office Museum
  • Location: Louisville
  • What you'll find: This is a beautiful Victorian mansion that shows how people lived in the late 1800s.

• Camp Nelson Civil War Heritage Park
  • Image:
    

    A cabin display at Camp Nelson Civil War Heritage Park.
  • Location: Nicholasville
  • What you'll find: This park was a major supply depot and recruiting station for African American soldiers during the American Civil War.

• Cane Ridge Meeting House & Barton Warren Stone Museum
  • Image:
    

    The Cane Ridge Meeting House Memorial Building.
  • Location: Paris
  • What you'll find: Learn about the history of this important religious site, which was once a large camp meeting location.

• Civil War Museum
  • Image:
    

    The Civil War Museum in Bardstown.
  • Location: Bardstown
  • What you'll find: This museum complex has five attractions, including a Civil War museum, a village with log cabins, a women's Civil War museum, and more.

• Columbus-Belmont State Park
  • Image:
    

    A large anchor at Columbus-Belmont State Park.
  • Location: Columbus
  • What you'll find: Learn about the Civil War history of this area, as well as the local nature and culture.

• Conrad-Caldwell House
  • Image:
    

    The Conrad-Caldwell House in Louisville.
  • Location: Louisville
  • What you'll find: Another beautiful late 19th-century mansion, showing the grand homes of that era.

• Constitution Square Historic Site
  • Image:
    

    The Governor's Circle at Constitution Square.
  • Location: Danville
  • What you'll find: This open-air site includes replicas of an old log courthouse, jail, and meetinghouse from the 1780s, and a 1792 post office.

• Coal Miners' Museum
  • Location: Van Lear
  • What you'll find: Discover the history of coal mining in the area.

• Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
  • Image:
    

    The Pinnacle Overlook at Cumberland Gap.
  • Location: Middlesboro
  • What you'll find: The Visitor Center has exhibits about the park's natural and cultural history. You can also visit Hensley Settlement, an old mountain community.

• Don F. Pratt Memorial Museum
  • Location: Fort Campbell
  • What you'll find: Learn about the history of Fort Campbell and the famous 101st Airborne Division Air Assault, also known as the "Screaming Eagles."

• Duncan Tavern
  • Image:
    

    Duncan Tavern, an 18th-century building.
  • Location: Paris
  • What you'll find: This is an 18th-century tavern that serves as the state headquarters for the Kentucky Society, NSDAR.

• East Kentucky Science Center
  • Location: Prestonsburg
  • What you'll find: Explore an exhibit hall, a planetarium where you can learn about stars, and a laser dome!

• Explorium of Lexington
  • Location: Lexington
  • What you'll find: This is a children's museum with hands-on exhibits that make learning fun. It used to be called the Lexington Children's Museum.

• Farmington Historic Home
  • Image:
    

    Farmington, an early 19th-century plantation home.
  • Location: Louisville
  • What you'll find: This early 19th-century plantation home offers a glimpse into the past.

• Federal Hill
  • Image:
    

    Federal Hill, also known as My Old Kentucky Home.
  • Location: Bardstown
  • What you'll find: Also known as My Old Kentucky Home, this is an early 19th-century mansion that is part of My Old Kentucky Home State Park.

• Frazier History Museum
  • Image:
    

    An exhibit at the Frazier History Museum.
  • Location: Louisville
  • What you'll find: This museum focuses on Kentucky's history, culture, and people. It's where the world meets Kentucky!

• General George Patton Museum of Leadership
  • Image:
    

    A tank on display at the General George Patton Museum.
  • Location: Fort Knox
  • What you'll find: Learn about the life and leadership of General George Patton and military history.

• Great American Dollhouse Museum
  • Location: Danville
  • What you'll find: This unique museum has over 200 dollhouses, miniature buildings, and tiny room displays.

• Harland Sanders Café and Museum
  • Image:
    

    The Harland Sanders Café and Museum.
  • Location: Corbin
  • What you'll find: This is the birthplace of Kentucky Fried Chicken! Learn about Colonel Sanders and how KFC started.

• Harriet Beecher Stowe Slavery to Freedom Museum
  • Location: Maysville
  • What you'll find: Located in the Marshall Key House, this museum explores the history of slavery and freedom. It's said that author Harriet Beecher Stowe got some ideas for her famous book Uncle Tom's Cabin here.

• Headley-Whitney Museum
  • Location: Lexington
  • What you'll find: This museum features decorative arts, including jewelry, small beautiful objects, and unique dollhouses. They also have changing exhibits.

• Historic Locust Grove
  • Image:
    

    A close-up view of Historic Locust Grove.
  • Location: Louisville
  • What you'll find: This is a large 18th-century farm homestead covering 55 acres. It shows what farm life was like long ago.

• Historic Railpark and Train Museum
  • Image:
    

    The historic L&N train station in Bowling Green.
  • Location: Bowling Green
  • What you'll find: Explore a historic railroad station and see locomotives and other railroad equipment.

• International Bluegrass Music Museum
  • Location: Owensboro
  • What you'll find: Learn all about the history of bluegrass music and its famous musicians.

• Jack Jouett House Historic Site
  • Image:
    

    The Jack Jouett House.
  • Location: Versailles
  • What you'll find: This is the late 18th-century home of Jack Jouett, an American Revolutionary War hero.

• James A. Ramage Civil War Museum
  • Image:
    

    The James A. Ramage Civil War Museum.
  • Location: Fort Wright
  • What you'll find: Discover how Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky were involved in the American Civil War.

• Jefferson Davis State Historic Site
  • Image:
    

    The monument at Jefferson Davis State Historic Site.
  • Location: Fairview
  • What you'll find: This site has a monument and museum about Jefferson Davis, who was the leader of the Confederacy during the Civil War.

• John James Audubon State Park
  • Image:
    

    The Audubon Museum at John James Audubon State Park.
  • Location: Henderson
  • What you'll find: The Audubon Museum here features amazing art by John James Audubon, a famous bird artist. There's also a nature center.

• Kentucky Coal Mining Museum
  • Image:
    

    The Kentucky Coal Mining Museum.
  • Location: Benham
  • What you'll find: Learn about coal mining and what life was like for coal miners and their families.

• Kentucky Derby Museum
  • Location: Louisville
  • What you'll find: This museum is all about American Thoroughbred horse racing, especially the famous Kentucky Derby!

• Kentucky Folk Art Center
  • Location: Morehead
  • What you'll find: Part of Morehead State University, this center showcases art made by self-taught artists, along with exhibits of folk art, fine art, and historical items.

• Kentucky Gateway Museum Center
  • Location: Maysville
  • What you'll find: This museum has dioramas (3D scenes) and artifacts about regional history, an art gallery, and a collection of miniatures.

• Kentucky Military History Museum
  • Location: Frankfort
  • What you'll find: Operated by the Kentucky Historical Society, this museum tells the story of Kentucky's military past.

• Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft
  • Location: Louisville
  • What you'll find: Explore the art and craft heritage of Kentucky.

• Kentucky Music Hall of Fame
  • Location: Renfro Valley
  • What you'll find: Celebrate famous Kentucky musicians and their contributions to music.

• Kentucky Railway Museum
  • Image:
    

    The station at the Kentucky Railway Museum.
  • Location: New Haven
  • What you'll find: Learn about the history of Kentucky's railroads and the people who built them. You can see model trains and even ride a heritage train!

• Kentucky Science Center
  • Image:
    

    The Kentucky Science Center in Louisville.
  • Location: Louisville
  • What you'll find: This museum has lots of hands-on science exhibits and natural history displays, making science fun and interactive.

• Lincoln Museum of Kentucky
  • Location: Hodgenville
  • What you'll find: This museum features dioramas with wax figures that show important events in Lincoln's life, as well as Lincoln artwork.

• Lloyd Tilghman House & Civil War Museum
  • Image:
    

    The Lloyd Tilghman House.
  • Location: Paducah
  • What you'll find: This museum focuses on Kentucky's role and the western part of the American Civil War.

• Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
  • Image:
    

    The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory.
  • Location: Louisville
  • What you'll find: Learn all about baseball and the history of the famous baseball bat. You can even see how they are made!

• Magoffin County Pioneer Village and Museum
  • Image:
    

    Reconstructed log buildings at Magoffin County Pioneer Village.
  • Location: Salyersville
  • What you'll find: This open-air museum has reconstructed log buildings, showing what a pioneer village looked like.

• Mammoth Cave Wildlife Museum
  • Location: Cave City
  • What you'll find: See mounted animal dioramas, which are displays that show animals in their natural settings.

• Mary Todd Lincoln House
  • Image:
    

    The Mary Todd Lincoln House.
  • Location: Lexington
  • What you'll find: This was the family home of Mary Todd Lincoln in the 1840s.

• McCreary County Museum
  • Image:
    

    The Stearns Coal Company Offices, home to the McCreary County Museum.
  • Location: Stearns
  • What you'll find: Learn about the history and culture of McCreary County and the Stearns Coal & Lumber Company. It's next to the Big South Fork Scenic Railway.

• Mill Springs Battlefield Visitors Center and Museum
  • Image:
    

    The Mill Springs Battlefield Visitor Center.
  • Location: Nancy
  • What you'll find: This site remembers the Battle of Mill Springs, which happened in January 1862 during the Civil War.

• Mountain Homeplace
  • Image:
    

    A scene from Mountain Homeplace.
  • Location: Staffordsville
  • What you'll find: This is a working farm from the mid-19th century. It includes a farmstead, church, school, and blacksmith shop, showing how people lived and worked long ago.

• Mountain Life Museum
  • Location: London
  • What you'll find: Part of Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park, this museum is a recreated pioneer village with a restored mill.

• Muhammad Ali Center
  • Image:
    

    The Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville.
  • Location: Louisville
  • What you'll find: This museum celebrates the life and ideas of the famous boxer Muhammad Ali.

• Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind
  • Location: Louisville
  • What you'll find: Learn about the history of educating people who are blind and how the American Printing House for the Blind has helped.

• National Corvette Museum
  • Image:
    

    The National Corvette Museum.
  • Location: Bowling Green
  • What you'll find: This museum showcases the amazing Chevrolet Corvette sports car.

• National Quilt Museum
  • Location: Paducah
  • What you'll find: See beautiful quilts and fiber art from around the world.

• National Underground Railroad Museum
  • Location: Maysville
  • What you'll find: Located in the Bierbower House, this museum tells the story of the Underground Railroad, a secret network that helped enslaved people escape to freedom.

• Octagon Hall Museum
  • Location: Franklin
  • What you'll find: This historic house has a unique eight-sided shape and offers a look into the past.

• Old Washington Historic Village
  • Location: Washington
  • What you'll find: This is an open-air village from the 1780s. You can see historic houses, log cabins, churches, and a carriage museum.

• Old State Capitol
  • Image:
    

    The Old State Capitol building.
  • Location: Frankfort
  • What you'll find: Operated by the Kentucky Historical Society, this historic building was once the state's capitol.

• Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History
  • Image:
    

    The Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History.
  • Location: Bardstown
  • What you'll find: Learn about the history of American whiskey from colonial times up to the 1960s. It's located in Spalding Hall.

• Owensboro Area Museum of Science & History
  • Location: Owensboro
  • What you'll find: This museum covers many topics, including natural history, science, local history, motor sports, and has a special area for children.

• Owensboro Museum of Fine Art
  • Location: Owensboro
  • What you'll find: See a collection of American, European, and Asian fine and decorative arts dating from the 15th century to today.

• Paradise Park Museum Complex
  • Location: Powderly
  • What you'll find: This open-air complex includes the birthplace of musician Merle Travis, a replica of a 1920s coal mining town, and a two-room schoolhouse.

• Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site
  • Image:
    

    A cannon at Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site.
  • Location: Perryville
  • What you'll find: This is the site of the Battle of Perryville, an important Civil War battle.

• Portland Museum
  • Image:
    

    The Portland Museum in Louisville.
  • Location: Louisville
  • What you'll find: Learn about the history of Portland, a community along the river in Louisville.

• Railway Museum of Greater Cincinnati
  • Location: Covington
  • What you'll find: See over 80 historic railroad equipment pieces on a 4-acre site.

• River Discovery Center
  • Location: Paducah
  • What you'll find: Explore the history of river transportation, steamboats, and the natural history of river habitats.

• Riverside, The Farnsley-Moremen Landing
  • Image:
    

    The Farnsley-Moremen House.
  • Location: Louisville
  • What you'll find: This site features an 1840s house, archaeological digs, and beautiful gardens.

• Riverview at Hobson Grove
  • Image:
    

    Riverview at Hobson Grove.
  • Location: Bowling Green
  • What you'll find: A mid-19th century home that offers a look into the past.

• Rosemary Clooney Museum
  • Location: Augusta
  • What you'll find: This museum is in the home of the famous singer Rosemary Clooney.

• Samuel May House Living History Museum
  • Image:
    

    The Samuel May House.
  • Location: Prestonsburg
  • What you'll find: An early 19th-century house that shows what life was like during that time.

• Shaker Museum at South Union
  • Image:
    

    The South Union Shaker Center Dwelling House.
  • Location: Auburn
  • What you'll find: Learn about the history of the South Union Shaker Village and the unique way of life of the Shakers.

• Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
  • Image:
    

    The Trustees House at Shaker Village.
  • Location: Pleasant Hill
  • What you'll find: This is a 19th-century Shaker village where you can see how they lived and worked.

• South Central Kentucky Cultural Center
  • Location: Glasgow
  • What you'll find: Also known as the Museum of the Barrens, this center explores the local history of the area.

• Speed Art Museum
  • Image:
    

    The Speed Art Museum in Louisville.
  • Location: Louisville
  • What you'll find: This art museum has a wide collection of art.

• Swope's Cars of Yesteryear Museum
  • Location: Elizabethtown
  • What you'll find: See a collection of historic automobiles from different eras.

• Thistle Cottage
  • Location: Greenville
  • What you'll find: This museum has art exhibits and displays about the history of coal in the area.

• Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History
  • Location: Frankfort
  • What you'll find: Operated by the Kentucky Historical Society, this center tells the story of over 12,000 years of Kentucky history!

• Thomas Edison House
  • Image:
    

    The Thomas Edison House in Louisville.
  • Location: Louisville
  • What you'll find: Learn about the life of the famous inventor Thomas Edison.

• University of Kentucky Art Museum
  • Image:
    

    The Fine Arts Building at the University of Kentucky.
  • Location: Lexington
  • What you'll find: This museum has European and American artwork from Old Masters to modern pieces, plus art from other cultures.

• U.S. 23 Country Music Highway Museum
  • Image:
    

    The U.S. 23 Country Music Highway Museum.
  • Location: Paintsville
  • What you'll find: Learn about the country music entertainers who grew up near U.S. Route 23.

• Vent Haven Museum
  • Location: Fort Mitchell
  • What you'll find: This is the only museum in the world dedicated to the art of ventriloquism (talking without moving your lips) and its puppets!

• WaterWorks Museum at Louisville Water Tower Park
  • Location: Louisville
  • What you'll find: This museum is in a restored 19th-century pumping station. You can see old steam engines and learn about the technology used to provide water.

• Waveland State Historic Site
  • Image:
    

    Waveland State Historic Site in winter.
  • Location: Lexington
  • What you'll find: A 19th-century plantation home that shows what life was like in that period.

• White Hall State Historic Site
  • Location: Richmond
  • What you'll find: This is a beautiful 1860s period mansion.

• Whitney Young Birthplace and Museum
  • Image:
    

    The birthplace of Whitney M. Young, Jr.
  • Location: Simpsonville
  • What you'll find: This is the home of Whitney Young, an important civil rights leader.

• Wickland
  • Image:
    

    Wickland, a historic house.
  • Location: Bardstown
  • What you'll find: This early 19th-century house was once home to three state governors!

• Wickliffe Mounds
  • Image:
    

    The entrance to Wickliffe Mounds.
  • Location: Wickliffe
  • What you'll find: This archaeological site explores ancient cultures.

• William Whitley House State Historic Site
  • Location: Stanford
  • What you'll find: This is a late 18th-century pioneer brick home, showing how early settlers lived.

• Woody Winfree Fire-Transportation Museum
  • Location: Hopkinsville
  • What you'll find: See old fire trucks, cars, wagons, buggies, and other transportation items, along with local fire memorabilia.

Images for kids

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  The cabin where Abraham Lincoln was born.

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  Adsmore, a Victorian home.

• 

  Ashland, the home of Henry Clay.

• 

  Historic airplanes at the Aviation Museum of Kentucky.

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  Spalding Hall, home to the Bardstown Historical Museum.

• 

  A recreated bog diorama at Big Bone Lick State Park.

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  The Big Sandy Heritage Center, housed in a former railroad station.

• 

  The restored coal tipple at Blue Heron.

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  The Pioneer Museum at Blue Licks Battlefield State Park.

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  A cabin display at Camp Nelson Civil War Heritage Park.

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  The Cane Ridge Meeting House Memorial Building.

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  The Civil War Museum in Bardstown.

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  A large anchor at Columbus-Belmont State Park.

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  The Conrad-Caldwell House in Louisville.

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  The Governor's Circle at Constitution Square.

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  The Pinnacle Overlook at Cumberland Gap.

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  Duncan Tavern, an 18th-century building.

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  The Ephraim McDowell House.

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  Farmington, an early 19th-century plantation home.

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  Federal Hill, also known as My Old Kentucky Home.

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  The Filson Historical Society.

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  An exhibit at the Frazier History Museum.

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  The Old Garrard County Jail.

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  A tank on display at the General George Patton Museum.

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  Pleasant Retreat, also known as the Governor William Owsley House.

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  The Harland Sanders Café and Museum.

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  The Highlands Museum and Discovery Center.

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  A close-up view of Historic Locust Grove.

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  The historic L&N train station in Bowling Green.

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  The Hunt-Morgan House.

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  The Jack Jouett House.

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  The James A. Ramage Civil War Museum.

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  The monument at Jefferson Davis State Historic Site.

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  The Audubon Museum at John James Audubon State Park.

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  The Kentucky Coal Mining Museum.

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  The Kentucky Governor's Mansion.

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  The station at the Kentucky Railway Museum.

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  The Kentucky Science Center in Louisville.

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  The Lexington History Center.

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  Liberty Hall in Frankfort.

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  The Lloyd Tilghman House.

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  The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory.

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  Reconstructed log buildings at Magoffin County Pioneer Village.

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  The Mary Todd Lincoln House.

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  The Stearns Coal Company Offices, home to the McCreary County Museum.

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  The Mill Springs Battlefield Visitor Center.

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  A scene from Mountain Homeplace.

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  The Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville.

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  The National Corvette Museum.

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  Old Fort Harrod State Park.

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  The Old State Capitol building.

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  The Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History.

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  A cannon at Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site.

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  The Portland Museum in Louisville.

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  The Farnsley-Moremen House.

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  Riverview at Hobson Grove.

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  Royal Spring Park.

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  The Samuel May House.

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  The South Union Shaker Center Dwelling House.

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  The Trustees House at Shaker Village.

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  The Speed Art Museum in Louisville.

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  The Thomas Edison House in Louisville.

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  The Fine Arts Building at the University of Kentucky.

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  The U.S. 23 Country Music Highway Museum.

• Ward Hall (Georgetown, Kentucky).jpg

  Ward Hall in Georgetown.

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  Waveland State Historic Site in winter.

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  The birthplace of Whitney M. Young, Jr.

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  Wickland, a historic house.

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  The entrance to Wickliffe Mounds.

See also

• Aquariums in Kentucky (category)
• Nature Centers in Kentucky