Kentucky Historical Society
Kentucky Historical Society Campus & Exhibits on Display at 2009 Kentucky State Fair

Press Release Date:  Monday, August 10, 2009  
Contact Information:  CONTACT: Lisa S. Cleveland
502-564-1792, ext. 4489
lisas.cleveland@ky.gov
 


FRANKFORT, KY. (Aug. 10, 2009)— Explore Kentucky’s rich history -- from Lincoln to Luthiers -- at the 2009 Kentucky State Fair, scheduled for August 20-30 in Louisville.

Get a taste of the commonwealth’s fine decorative arts, as well as its complex military history. Visit the Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) exhibit to learn about all things Kentucky and to enjoy regularly scheduled performances and presentations.

“We’re recreating the KHS history campus in the educational exhibit area,” said Kent Whitworth, executive director of KHS. “We’re going to give visitors an opportunity to learn about Kentucky’s fascinating history and to have a lot of fun in the process.”

Located in the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center’s South Wing, the KHS exhibit highlights the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, the Old State Capitol and the Kentucky Military History Museum at the Old State Arsenal. The 10,000 square-foot educational area will include hands-on activities that explore lutherie—the art of making or repairing stringed instruments; a section devoted to Kentucky’s military treasures; and an informative and eye-catching area showcasing examples of Kentucky decorative arts and architecture from the Federal to the Aesthetic periods.

The KHS HistoryMobile will also be on site. The HistoryMobile houses a 300-square-foot exhibit called “Kentucky’s Abraham Lincoln,” which explores Lincoln’s frontier childhood, his career path from a log house to the White House and his struggles to end slavery and lead the nation through the Civil War.

The Kentucky Department of Veteran’s Affairs (KDVA) will also offer information about state and federal veterans benefits, including disability compensation, college tuition waivers, employment help, VA health care, nursing homes, cemeteries and other services. Veterans Benefits Field Representatives will be available to answer questions and make referrals.

In addition, visitors will be able to purchase books, official Lincoln Bicentennial merchandise and many other history-related items at the 1792 Stewart Home School Store.

Daily activities on the stage will present visitors with opportunities to learn more about researching family history, cemetery preservation and renovating historic structures. Fair-goers can also sit back and relax while watching a live KHS Museum Theatre performance or enjoying music from several Kentucky artists.

The KHS Lincoln to Luthiers exhibit is free with State Fair admission and is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

-30-
An agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, the Kentucky Historical Society, since 1836, has provided connections to the past, perspective on the present and inspiration for the future.  KHS operates the Old State Capitol, the Kentucky Military History Museum and its headquarters, the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History.   Since 1999, the thirty-million-dollar Center has welcomed more than one million visitors.   For more information about the Kentucky Historical Society and its programs, visit the Web site at
www.history.ky.gov.