Department of Parks
Plenty of history events at Kentucky State Parks in July
FRANKFORT, Ky. – History comes alive during July at Kentucky State Parks with a variety of demonstrations and programs that cover pioneer life, Native Americans, the French and Indian War and the Civil War.
The Kentucky State Parks offer historic sites, museums and living history programs to guests throughout the year. Below are some of the special events during July. For more information, visit www.parks.ky.gov
Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site, Perryville
The Horse Soldier: A Tribute to Cavalry in the American Civil War
July 1-Oct. 31, 2010
Perryville Battlefield has a new cavalry exhibition at its museum that includes items rarely seen by the public including Sue Mundy’s pistol and artifacts from John Hunt Morgan’s 2nd Kentucky Regiment. The exhibit also includes an interpretive film, interactive displays that allow the guest to research Civil War ancestors and graphic panels depicting all aspects of cavalry. Admission is $3.50 for adults and $2.50 for children under 12.
The Horse Soldier exhibit is timely because of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington Sept. 25-Oct. 10, 2010. Perryville’s annual battle re-enactment will be held during the games Oct. 2-3. The cavalry theme will continue for the Perryville re-enactment. There will be expert speakers on cavalry, cavalry demonstrations and museum exhibits focusing on horses. The weekend will feature two battles at the park, which preserves the location of the largest Civil War battle in Kentucky that took place in 1862.
The park museum is open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Perryville Battlefield is 45 miles southwest of Lexington. Take US 68 west to US 150 west. For more information about Perryville and other Kentucky State Parks, visit www.parks.ky.gov. The phone number for Perryville Battlefield is 859-332-8631.
Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill
Pioneer Life Week
July 19-25
You can experience what Kentucky was like more than 200 years ago during Pioneer Life Week at Carter Caves State Resort Park near Olive Hill from July 19-25. This annual event allows visitors to see how pioneers and Native Americans lived. Most events are free to the public. The pioneer encampment near the park campground is open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 25.
Some of the programs include tomahawk throwing, black powder rifle demonstrations, flint knapping, spinning and weaving demonstrations, atlatl demonstrations, and pioneer clothing interpretation.
Evening programs will include Pickin at the Caves on Monday night; L. Henry Dowell will be portraying the frontier surgeon “Dr. Ephraim McDowell” during a Kentucky Chautauqua program on Wednesday night, frontier stories by the fire at the campground on Thursday night and a dance at the shelter house at the campground on Friday night. Country Fair Day will be Saturday, July 24, featuring old farm tools and machinery, woodcarving, seed spitting, flint knapping, pottery making, flute music, a pie auction and more. A free ice cream social will be at 4 p.m.
Carter Caves also offers cave tours, canoe trips, hiking, golf, mini-golf, fishing, camping, horseback riding and swimming. Carter Caves also has a lodge and restaurant. During the week, the restaurant will have a Buffalo Buffet including Buffalo Ribs and Roast on Thursday July 22.
For more information, call the park at 1-800-325-0059 or 1-606-286-4411.
Fort Boonesborough State Park, Richmond
French and Indian War Weekend
July 17-18
The Seven Years War Society is coming to Fort Boonesborough to demonstrate and display life on the frontier during the French and Indian War. Before the American Revolution, the French and Indian War was a global struggle that was fought over who would control the new world. The frontier of Kentucky was vital to the French and Indians as they launched bloody raids into the heart of colonial British America. Armed groups patrolled the roads in defense of the bloody raids. Over the weekend there will be re-enactors displaying the various uniforms from the French Marine of New France to the Royal 42nd Scottish Highlanders, Native American re-enactors, artillery and infantry drill, and a mock raid on the fort. Event is free with admission to fort. Open 9 a.m..- 5:30 p.m. Call 859-527-3131.
Fort Boonesborough State Park, Richmond
Military Muster
July 24-25
Come see 18th Century living history with special participation by members of Keller’s and Logan’s Companies of the Illinois Regiment. See and visit the encampment of these groups and settlers as well. Watch as the units drill and practice the martial skills of the frontier. Join as a new recruit from the visiting public and participate in the musket drill and marching. Hear and see the story of the defense of the frontier. This event is free with a regular paid admission to the fort. Open 9 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Call 859-527-3131.
White Hall State Historic Site, Richmond
White Hall Scandals and Ghost Stories
July 16-17 and July 23-24
Come out for a fun-filled night. Guides will recount tales of the hauntings of White Hall and will let you in on all the juicy gossip surrounding the Clay family. No rug will be left unturned, no closet will stay closed--all the dirt and skeletons will be revealed! Reservations are required. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children ages 6-12. Open 8 to 10 p.m. Call 859-623-9178.
Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park, Mount Olivet
Pioneer Series
Fridays in July
During July, Blue Licks Battlefield is holding a series of programs on Fridays related to pioneer life at Pioneer Museum. The programs are free with museum admission. Here are the topics and dates: Whiskey & Bourbon Making at the Pioneer Museum, July 9; Salt Making, July 16; Hide Tanning, July 23; Flint Knapping, July 30. Call 800-443-7008.
Big Bone Lick State Park, Union
Atlatl Demonstration
July 31
The spear and atlatl have been primary weapons for thousands of years and are still being used even in modern times. Join the park naturalist at the atlatl field to learn and experience first hand the grace and power of these two weapons that would end up shaping human culture. This is a free event. Noon to 2:30 p.m. 859-384-3522.
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The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 51 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov