Kentucky Historical Society
Donna M. Neary to Lead the Kentucky Historical Society's Civil War Sesquicentennial Initiatives

Frankfort, KY - Donna M. Neary, of Louisville, has been named director of Civil War Sesquicentennial Initiatives at the Kentucky Historical Society. Neary most recently served as executive director and state historic preservation officer for the Kentucky Heritage Council. She assumes her new post on August 11.

"Ms. Neary will lead efforts to plan and coordinate the Kentucky Historical Society's statewide Civil War sesquicentennial efforts," said Kent Whitworth, director of the Kentucky Historical Society. "Donna brings to the position a broad range of experience and a strong background in public history. And she is a public historian at the core."

The sesquicentennial or 150th anniversary of the American Civil War takes place 2011-2015. The Kentucky initiative will focus beyond military history to the social, political, economic and cultural impact of the Civil War on Kentucky and Kentuckians. Neary will lead the historical society's efforts to serve as a clearinghouse and resource for communities and organizations throughout the state that are involved in the sesquicentennial.

"The goal of this initiative is to help Kentuckians understand the impact of the Civil War and how those events shaped our commonwealth into what it is today," said Neary. "This is a wonderful opportunity for me. I'm excited to be working with a dynamic team at the Kentucky Historical Society."

Neary holds a master's degree in public history from Loyola University, Chicago, and a bachelor's degree in history and journalism from Murray State University. She has also served as a historic preservation consultant and analyst and as administrator of historic preservation and archives for Jefferson County Fiscal Court. She has been a guest lecturer at the University of Kentucky and other institutions and is the co-author of several books and numerous articles.

Neary resides in Louisville with her husband, Ed, and her two children, Jake and Brigid.

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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.