Kentucky Historical Society
Thursday Evening Mini-Series to Focus on Family Traditions

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 30, 2010)— What do your family’s stories and traditions reveal about your family history? Find out by attending a mini-series of sessions from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursdays April 1, 15 and 29 at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History in downtown Frankfort.

The sessions, hosted by Kentucky Folklife Program Director Bob Gates and other Folklife staff, are designed to assist guests in documenting and celebrating family traditions. 

“Family folklore is all sorts of things: food, stories, jokes, names, nicknames and celebrations that each family holds dear and passes down to others in the family,” said Gates. “By studying the hidden meanings and functions of our family folklore we can understand what our ancestors thought and held important, and what we continue to value today.”

The three-part series takes place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and includes:
Family Traditions 101—Thursday, April 1: Discover how folklorists study family traditions and stories, and find out what your family traditions reveal about your heritage.
Collecting Family History—Thursday, April15: Learn how to interview members of your family about their traditions and find out more about how those traditions help to develop the larger picture of your family history and culture.
More than a Potluck: Planning Your Family Reunion—Thursday, April 29: Some families are known for planning fantastic family reunions and these reunions are prime opportunities for collecting and sharing family stories and traditions.  Listen as guest speakers share ideas, develop to-do lists and help you plan your family’s reunion.

The mini- series is free with admission to the Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) history campus--$4 for adults, $2 for youth ages 6-18, $3 for veterans and AAA members and free for children 5 and under and KHS members.

It is part of a larger series of Thursday evening programming at KHS.  Other Thursday evening events at the KHS history campus include a film series featuring Appalshop films and Hat-A-Tude, an event set for April 22 that highlights fashions from the Kentucky Derby.  Visit www.history.ky.gov and click News and Events for up-to-date information on other KHS events and programs.