Department of Parks
Value Your Collectibles, Learn about Historic Clothing and Experience Lincoln's Times at General Butler

CARROLLTON, Ky. – Find out how much your vintage collectibles are worth and learn about historic clothing at two events set for General Butler State Resort Park in February and March.

Meanwhile, you can celebrate the Lincoln Bicentennial by viewing a theater performance of 1860s Popular Culture – “The Times of Abraham Lincoln” – at General Butler on Sunday Feb. 8.

Experience the politics, the literature, the inventions, the humor, the music, the art, the pastimes and most importantly the people that made up the popular culture that marked history. Meet the Great Emancipator, Abraham Lincoln, along with Stephen Foster, Mathew Brady, Samuel Morse, Mark Twain, Harriett Beecher Stowe, Jenny Lind and more.

The performance will be held at the General Butler Conference Center at 3 p.m. Admission is $6 adult, $4 under age 18. Call for reservations, 866-462-8853 or 502-732-4384.

Wouldn’t you love to know the maker, the date, the style and the worth of some of those objects around your house and attic? Bring in your most interesting and beautiful period antiques or vintage collectibles for a fun look at “Appraisal 101” by museum professionals and area collectors.

Personal Treasures Day will be held at The Butler-Turpin State Historic House at General Butler State Resort Park on Saturday, Feb. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 per person, which includes Appraisal 101 and a tour of the historic house. An extra $5 will be charged for appraisal of each additional item, which must be small enough to be hand carried.

In March, General Butler will host a 19th century historic clothing exhibit, workshop and lecture at the Butler-Turpin State Historic House.

Set for Tuesday and Wednesday, March 10-11, the event will answer many of the questions that surround period clothing of the 19th century.  The workshop includes an insightful and entertaining lecture, the Emerald-Zinnia Collection on display at The Butler-Turpin State Historic House and a how-to on making authentic (and not so authentic) period clothing for reenactors and/or tour guides along with an historic house road trip and more.

The overnight package is $95 per person and $159 per couple, plus tax. This package also includes the cost of the workshop, Monday evening buffet and Tuesday morning breakfast at the park’s Two Rivers Restaurant. Registration for the workshop only is $15 for one day and $30 for both days. For more information, contact Evelyn Welch at 502-732-4384 or 866-462-8853.

General Butler State Resort Park features a hilltop lodge overlooking the Ohio River Valley, along with cottages and a campground. The park’s Two Rivers restaurant, named after the nearby confluence of the Kentucky and Ohio rivers, serves a bistro type menu along with Kentucky favorites. The park, which also has a lake, hiking trails and a historic home, is located at 1608 Highway 227 in Carrollton. From Louisville or northern Kentucky take I-71 and exit north at exit 44.  For specific directions call toll free 1-866-462-8853.

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The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 52 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. Each year, Kentucky parks draw 7 million visitors and contribute $317 million to the economy. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov