Kentucky Historical Society
Celia Keeling of Bardstown Wins 2011 Kentucky History Award from KHS

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 22, 2011) – The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) honored outstanding achievements in the field of Kentucky history at the 2011 Kentucky History Celebration on Nov. 11 at the Old State Capitol in downtown Frankfort.

Among this year’s winners was Celia Keeling, recipient of the Lifetime Dedication to History Award, presented annually to an individual who has displayed consistent support for Kentucky history through writing or activities that support museums or local history organizations. Keeling was nominated by the Nelson County Genealogical Roundtable for her project “Preserving History.”

Keeling has 27 years of service at the Nelson County Public Library, serving as director for 10 of those years. She sought support from the Bardstown Tourist Commission and the Nelson County Genealogical Roundtable to buy books and other materials for the library. The result of her efforts is a genealogy room where researchers can now explore their family history.

Keeling is a charter member of the Nelson County Genealogical Roundtable, which was founded in1984. Membership in this organization has grown from 30 members to more than 200. In addition, Keeling has helped place many genealogy-related records on microfilm, including census records from 1840 to 1930 and marriage records dating from 1900 to 1910. She has also published much of this information in several books.

The Kentucky History Awards program, presented annually by KHS, recognizes exceptional achievements in Kentucky history by individuals, business and civic leaders, communities, museums and history organizations throughout the Commonwealth. The program also honors individuals and groups that have demonstrated efforts to promote the preservation, awareness and appreciation of state and local history.
For more information about the Kentucky History Awards visit www.history.ky.gov/historyawards.

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An agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, the Kentucky Historical Society, established in 1836, is committed to helping people understand, cherish and share Kentucky's history. The KHS history campus includes the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, the Old State Capitol and the Kentucky Military History Museum at the State Arsenal. For more information about the Kentucky Historical Society and its programs, visit www.history.ky.gov.