Tami Vater, Communications Office

(502) 564-1792, ext. 4457

(502) 696-1999 Fax

tami.vater@ky.gov

http://history.ky.gov

FRANKFORT, Ky. (September 22, 2004) – In its sixth year, the Kentucky Historical Society’s monthly lecture series, Brown Bag History, has been highlighting Kentucky’s scandals and/or scoundrels.  The lectures, held at noon on the first Wednesday of each month, are at the Kentucky History Center in downtown Frankfort. Participants are encouraged to bring their lunch to this free event.

The lunchtime “brown bag” lecture series this year includes topics from Jesse James to vote fraud, from Simon Girty to the University of Kentucky basketball scandals and more of Kentucky’s shocking history.  Joanie DiMartino, Adult Programs Coordinator, commented, “History isn’t always pretty.  In fact, some of the most interesting events in Kentucky’s past have been of a sordid nature.”    Upcoming topics include:

• October 6, “The Tarnished Warrior—The Deliberate Scoundrel:  General James Wilkinson, Founder of Frankfort, Kentucky.”  Frankfort’s Historic Sites Assistant Curator, Russ Hatter, will explore the many intrigues of James Wilkinson—from the Spanish Conspiracy to trying to “steal” the Louisiana Purchase. 
  
• November 3, “Vote Fraud in Kentucky:  A Historic Journey.”  Wind down from the Election Day campaigning by joining Tracy Campbell of the University of Kentucky for an overview of voting irregularities since 1888, when Kentucky was chosen to test the nation’s first secret ballot.
  
• December 1, “Robert Worth Bingham:  Scoundrel? Murderer?”  Discover with William Ellis of Eastern Kentucky University whether or not there is any truth to the rumors that Bingham killed his second wife, Mary L. K. F. Bingham, to inherit her fortune and launch his publishing career.

 For more information about the free lecture series, contact Joanie DiMartino at (502) 564-1792, ext. 4467 or email, Joanie.dimartino@ky.gov.  For information about other Historical Society programs, visit the Web at http://history.ky.gov.

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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, Kentucky Military History Museum and its five-year-old headquarters, the Kentucky History Center.   Since 1999, the thirty-million dollar History Center has welcomed almost one million visitors.   For more information about the Kentucky Historical Society and its programs, visit the Web at http://history.ky.gov or call (502) 564-1792.