Kentucky Historical Society
KHS Online Exhibition Wins Gold ADDY

KHS Online Exhibition Wins Gold ADDY

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 17, 2010)— The newest Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) online exhibition, “Kentucky Military Treasures: Selections from the Kentucky Historical Society Collections” recently received a gold ADDY at the 2010 Lexington ADDY Awards ceremony.  The award honored the design work of Elevation Creative Studios, of Lexington, Ky. 

The online exhibition, available at www.history.ky.gov/military, covers military engagements from the War of 1812 to more recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq and provides visitors with the real-life stories of Kentuckians who served and sometimes lost their lives in these conflicts.

“We are proud of the partnership between KHS and Elevation Creative Studios,” said Kent Whitworth, KHS executive director. 

The Lexington Advertising Club presented the award at the 2010 Lexington ADDY Awards ceremony on Saturday, Feb 27.  Elevation picked up two other awards, including an additional Gold ADDY.

Sponsored by the American Advertising Federation (AAF), the ADDY Awards recognize creative excellence in advertising.  Winners of district ADDY Awards will progress to a regional competition and, finally, the national level.  National ADDY Award winners will be recognized at the AAF National Conference in June.

Up-close views of artifacts, including uniforms, weapons, medals, photographs, personal letters and other items are part of the online exhibition. The site allows visitors to zoom close enough to actually read the documents, which include broadsides, postcards, pamphlets and even a Kentucky soldier’s so-called “floating letter,” a letter to his mother that was temporarily lost at sea and eventually forwarded to her.

The online exhibition also includes oral histories, allowing visitors to hear the stories from soldiers in their own words. Among these are the recollections of an African-American soldier who fought in the trenches during World War I, a soldier who was forced to participate in the Tiger Death March and an airplane mechanic who witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The “Kentucky Military Treasures” online exhibition was made possible by generous support from the Kentucky Veterans Trust Fund and the KHS Foundation. Visit www.history.ky.gov to learn more about the Kentucky Historical Society. To learn more about the design of the online exhibition, contact Christopher Gowin at cgowin@elevationcreative.com.

-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.