History Burgoo

Discovering Kentucky's Own "Mad Man"

If there are two things in this world that I love most, it would have to be history and pop culture. Seriously, ask any of my former students about how I “ruined” all of their favorite history-based films in class because I kept pointing out all the historical inaccuracies or kept stopping the movie to talk about the parallels with the film and the influences it was taking from history. I am constantly finding television shows and movies taking their influences from history, and why not? History is chock-full of great stories to tell or set in eras that are drastically different from our current way of life.

Take AMC channel’s hit show Mad Men, the drama set in the 1960’s about the cut-throat industry of advertising. It takes its own particular influence from that era in regards to the exuberant lifestyles some of these men lived, the dating of famous beautiful women and (of course making cigarettes cool again). Unless people actually lived in those times (and I wish I had because the 1960s were just rife with all kinds of cultural mega-hits, from the music, the political movements, and the social movements), you wouldn’t think that a show like Mad Men was really that historically sound… that is until I came across one of Kentucky’s very own “mad men” to make me reconsider.

Ask any person born after 1985 who John Y. Brown, Jr. was and they would probably stare at you blankly. Ask that same person to name what multi-million dollar restaurant chain was founded in Kentucky and they will immediately exclaim “Kentucky Fried Chicken!” Chances are that this person (unless they are extremely well-versed in Kentucky political history) will not know that these two are linked. I myself admit that I had not known who John Y. Brown, Jr. was or his contributions to the one of the most recognizable Kentucky institutions or to the state (yes I was born in 1985).

When I was assigned to audit our collections for Kentucky governors and provide item descriptions for the oral histories contained in them, this was going to mean reading transcripts of the interviews. At first thought “ugh!” came to mind. However, this all changed with the John Y. Brown collection. The transcripts of this man’s life read almost like a story arc for the Mad Men show. This man vas a virtual rock star of the business world before shocking everyone in Kentucky politics by throwing his hat into the gubernatorial race in 1979. Let’s go down the list of Brown’s “Mad Men” credentials:

 • Become a criminal lawyer and be involved in ten murder cases… check.

• Married to a former Miss America (Phyllis George)…check.

• Part owner of sports teams ,including the Boston Celtics and the Kentucky Colonels (an American Basketball Association team that existed in the commonwealth before the 1976 merger of the ABA with the NBA, which saw the Colonels become collateral damage)… You got it.

• Buying a little known restaurant franchise called Kentucky Fried Chicken for $2 million and turning it into a global , multi-million dollar chain ( and selling it for over $200 million later in life)… yup.

 • Become governor of a state… did it.

* As a side note, just reading Brown’s recollections on the dealings with Col. Sanders and his business team alone warrant an episode of Mad Men.

And this is all leading up to his run as the 51st  governor of Kentucky, which in itself was an interesting administration because of Brown’s business-like running of the government, meaning less influence on the state legislature (a tactic not seen much in Kentucky politics up until that point.)

Discovering these types of characters in a historical context is fascinating because it exemplifies influence of a time gone by that people who are fans of these period shows can relate to. It is easy to say that the stories in the movies and television are better than anything that happens in real-life, but I would be quick to suggest a trip to the historical society and dig up some stories on people of the past. You may find something far more entertaining.

Editorial Note: The John Y. Brown Collection is currently in the digitization process, so be sure to look for it in our Digital Collections in the upcoming days!

-- Tommy Grant

Images: Image 1- Governor John Y. Brown (1979-1983) of Fayette Co., Museum Collection donated by the Ky Department of the Arts, 1988.4.2

Image 2- "Sanders Court & Cafe- Corbin, KY", postcard of the famous Sanders Court & Cafe where Harland Sanders first sold his famous chicken recipe. From the Roland Morgan Kentucky Postcard Collection, Graphic5.Box3.186

Exploring the KJHS Archives (pt. 3)

Sifting through the KJHS archives I am finding many interesting things including numerous pictures of past events that KJHS members have attended. KJHS chapters have met over the summer to attend local camps, workshops, and field trips to local historical sites throughout Kentucky. One of my favorite pictures is of a KYHS group (At that time they were known as the Kentucky Young Historian Society) all dressed in historical costume, laying a wreath at Lincoln’s birthplace in Hodgenville in the in 1960’s. This picture is wonderful, because it not only shows how devoted KYHS members were, but also their respect for their past.

I was also surprised to learn that past KJHS members participated in archeological digs around Kentucky, and the most important of them were at the Wickliffe Mounds. From the mid 1980’s up until the early 90’s KJHS members helped archeological students from the University of Kentucky dig, sift, clean, care, and catalog many of the artifacts unearthed during this time. Much like a summer camp, KJHS students would sign up for a bus trip to Wickliffe and help out for a weekend on the archeological dig. There are many pictures of KJHS members working hard, but at the same time having a lot of fun.

KJHS members also participated in local projects. It is difficult to see if these projects were initiated by the Kentucky Historical Society directly, or started on the part of their respective local chapters. Local projects have led to publications like “Recollections of Calloway County.” This book was written with research done by KJHS members in 1988.

Past KJHS members have even started a museum. One such chapter in Paducah started the Alben B. Barkley Museum and helped to organize its founding and curate objects for its current collection of artifacts. This museum is located in the historic 1852 Captain William Smedley's home.

Another KJHS student project was the publication of the story of Mannsville. This work had many photographs, as well as stories of past residents of Mannsville. What is even more remarkable is that this was all accomplished by a fourth grade class, with a little help from the local community (of course).

Overall I am struck by the passion and dedication many of these KJHS members have had for both their history and community. It would be interesting to know of any of these young scholars turned their love of history into a job as an adult.  

-Derrick Ranostaj

Photo credits:

Photo 1: LaRue county Young Historians in Hodgenville ca. 1965.

Photo 2: KJHS members at the Wickliffe mounds ca. 1970.

Photo 3: Mannsville’s Story. Written and researched by the Mannsville Young Historians in 1987.

"Signs" of the Time

 

When you think of the Civil War what comes to mind? If it's slavery, Abe Lincoln, and the colors blue and grey, you’re in the ballpark.  If you can name a few states that pledge allegiance to either the Confederacy or the Union, recognize the name “Gettysburg”, or understand the term “Emancipation Proclamation”, you’ve done your homework.  If you can finish the sentence “Fourscore and seven years ago”, pick Stonewall Jackson out of a line up, and name the constitutional amendments that resulted from that four-year tussle, well consider yourself a pro.  I was hovering somewhere around pro status when I learned my pet project during my time here would consist of the Civil War.  Ah, but the caveat: My pet project during my time here would consist of the Civil War in Kentucky…

…And all my professional knowledge about the Civil War came to a screeching halt.

Not that I mind—I love learning history—but seriously: we’re talking about Kentucky.  Other than ironically being the birthplace of Lincoln and Jefferson Davis, what history could there be?  So I did what curious minds do best when they have a question: research. But instead of hitting the books, I found a plethora of knowledge in the unusual place of historical markers scattered around Kentucky (you know, those bronze signs you see in random places of the state as you drive by).  Fortunately, I got to save my gas, because KHS did me a great service by cataloging all of the markers and making them available on their website: http://migration.kentucky.gov/kyhs/hmdb/MarkerSearch.aspx?mode=All. (Thank you!)

My three word summary of that process:  So. Much. History.  (Does that make me a super pro, now?)

I couldn’t begin to sit here and tell you all I’ve learned from just reading those signs—but I can riddle you this--find the answers to these questions by clicking on the links and finding the markers:

• What does Kentucky’s Civil War story have to do with Carson City, Nevada? (They're Historic Markers 79 and 1335 in the Marker Number Search engine)
• When you Google ‘Famous American Family Feuds’, why does a Kentucky clan pop up? (Type "McCoy-Hatfield" in the Keyword Search engine)
• Why does Campbellsville make such a big deal out of the Fourth of July? (Marker 605)
• He was doing what with that chain? (Marker 528)
• Who was Kentucky’s Confederate governor(s)? (Marker 610)
• What often neglected battle was of the most importance in the Civil War campaign? (Marker 553)
• So who, exactly, is “Sue”? (Keyword search "Sue Mundy")
• To what lengths did the CSA (and USA!) go to in order to discourage their opponents? (Keyword search "Civil War, Courthouses")
• Where did the legislative go? (Marker 522)
• And lastly: Was Kentucky to be the new (West) Virginia? (Marker 74)

There’s an incredible story about Kentucky’s involvement in the Civil War (and other Kentuckian topics!) just waiting for you to explore. Just waiting for you on that sign you go past while walking your dog.  So the next time you’re on the go in Kentucky, and you have a few minutes to spare, take one and pull over to read a historical marker sign—you’ll be surprised (as I was) with what you find!

 

--Kortnie Allen, Super pro

 Images:

Battle of Mill Spring, Ky., January 19, 1862.  Total routof the Rebel Army, by the gallant soldiers of the West under Generals Thomasand Schoepff. Martin F. Schmidt Collection of Kentucky Views, 2004.41.  2004.41.202

 

Exploring the KJHS Archives (pt. 2)

Exploring the Kentucky Junior Historical Society archives I found out that it all comes down to the yearly conference in Frankfort. Each KJHS student, teacher and sponsor carefully prepares throughout the year for this event. It’s a time of great excitement and happiness, but also anxiety. These conferences were two days in length, and were typically held at the Farnham Dudgeon Civil Center in downtown Frankfort. All members of KJHS were invited, and most schools sent representatives. Typically students from the 4^th-12^th grades came to these conferences. Currently the conference is held at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History. In the future there are plans to hold the convention in Louisville and other locations throughout Kentucky.    

Yearly conferences encouraged students to actively participate by creating projects, voting for their state KJHS representatives and participating in the ever popular History Bowl.

Students created projects and activities including posters, artwork, arts and crafts, plays, songs, photography, research papers, and historic walking tours for their local area. All of these projects had to focus on a historical person, place or thing from Kentucky’s past. Many of the students dealt with popular topics, such as the Civil War, or local history, such as how their town was founded. The projects were then displayed and judged at the conference. Winners received a ribbon and a mention in the KJHS publication Kentucky Heritage.

Kentucky Heritage was published from 1965 until 2007. This magazine contained information on the projects KJHS members completed for each convention. Each issue’s front cover featured artwork drawn by a KJHS member that won an award at the convention. Receiving mention in Kentucky Heritage was a great honor for many KJHS members. Artwork wasn’t the only thing shown in this magazine: research papers, plays and poems were also printed. In 2007, Kentucky Heritage stopped publication. Timeline was created in the late 90’s and had become a replacement for the magazine. Much like its predecessor, Timeline keeps KJHS members informed of upcoming events, workshops, and of course, reminders for the yearly state convention. Two years ago, Timeline switched from print to online-only publication.     

At every conference, students also campaigned for the offices of KJHS president, vice-president, treasurer, historian and reporter. These state representatives would help guide the organization until next year—when they would often seek reelection. Being a state representative for KJHS was a strange mix of politics and history. Not only did these students make decisions for future KJHS members, but they also created an organization that encouraged outreach among students and the community. This certainly proves that young people DO care about their history!

The centerpiece of past conventions has always been History Bowl. History Bowl is a contest between schools that asks questions about Kentucky’s past. It was very fast paced since many of these questions involved quick recall. There were three divisions: elementary, middle and high school, with two to three rounds to identify the final two schools in each division. As you can probably guess, History Bowl is still popular with the students since competing can be a huge boost to student morale.

Of course, not everything was about competition. KJHS conference gave students a chance to mingle with fellow KJHS members. Each convention had a mixer and dance for students to get to know each other. Since many of the members are from all over the state of Kentucky, these opportunities provided a great place to meet each year. I’m sure KJHS members (past and present) will not forget the memories made at KJHS conference.

-Derrick Ranostaj

Photo credits:
Image 1: An example of a KJHS member presenting their project at a convention in 2008.
Image 2: Awards from the 1970 KJHS state convention.
Image 3: Picture of KJHS history bowl, 2008.

How (and why) I became a docent at the Old State Capitol

In the late autumn of 2008 my wife, Jan, brought to my attention a request in the Frankfort State Journal for applications to serve as a volunteer docent at the Old State Capitol. I answered the call and filled out an application. I was approved soon after and in November began my training.

I was given materials and guides to read and also shadowed a docent during tours. At that time, I worked with Leslie McWhorter, Annie Denny and other full-time educators at KHS. In January 2009, after giving joint walkthroughs of the facility, I was granted the honor of being able to go “solo” and lead my own tours.

My interest in being a docent at the Old State Capitol most likely stems from my overall interest in history, especially Kentucky history. Growing up and attending schools in Franklin County provided me with ample opportunity to be exposed to the stories and tales of the commonwealth. Frankfort, as the capital of Kentucky, provided a political backdrop for much of what went on and continues to go on in the development of our history.

I can remember my first tour of the building on a school trip in the late fifties when I was in the first or second grade. The guides were older ladies (at least they appeared that way through the eyes of an eight year old) that skillfully led 30 or 40 youngsters through the tour. I can remember how we were fearful of the staircase after hearing that no cement, mortar or metal held the stairwell together but it stayed erect because of the great design work that relied on the physics of gravity.  

At the top of the steps was a souvenir stand where I purchased a Kentucky state flag and an American flag. Those flags have long been misplaced but I remember keeping them for a very long time and I could always remember where I purchased them.

I remember that what are now the house and senate chambers were then filled with many of the artifacts that are exhibited in the Kentucky Historical Society’s present exhibits. There, I saw Goebel’s suit coat with the holes made by the entry and exit wounds. We were shown weaponry of all sorts from the different eras of Kentucky history.

Over the years I would visit the Old State Capitol, but not very frequently. There would be an occasional visit to a special exhibit or to hear a choral group during the holidays, plus attending the various festivals that were held on the grounds. But it was those visits during my early school years that stand out and whereby I based my decision to return as a volunteer docent.

Over the past two years I have met people from all over the United States as well as every continent in the world. I have led school groups, church groups and preservation groups. I have served in the upper chambers on Boone Day. But just as important as serving as a docent and attempting to be a good will ambassador for our commonwealth, I have been able to learn more about the history the commonwealth and that of the United States of America.

-Russ Wright

 

Russell Wright is a ninth generation Kentuckian who was born and raised in Franklin County. He is retired from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet with over 35 years experience as an audit manager.

Wright holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting and a master’s degree in public affairs. He is a certified public manager, a certified government financial manager and an enrolled agent (a designation granted by the Internal Revenue Service). He has worked as a tax advisor for several years and practices in Frankfort.

Wright’s interest in genealogy has led him to attend the Kentucky Historical Society’s Family History workshops. He is a member of the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Genealogical Society (KGS) and serves as a director at large on the KGS board.

In addition to volunteering as a docent at the Old State Capitol, Wright also assists at the Kentucky Department of Library and Archives as a narrator for the Kentucky Talking Library Book (KTLB) program. KTLB provides the visually and physically impaired with recordings of books that are by Kentucky authors or books about Kentucky. He also serves as president of the Friends of the Paul Sawyier Public Library and is a member of the First United Methodist Church in Frankfort.

Wright lives in Frankfort with his wife, Jan, and has two sons in their late twenties who live in Frankfort and Lexington. He also has a wonderful American bulldog, Lucy, who is approaching her first birthday.

 

For more information on how you, too, can volunteer at KHS, visit www.history.ky.gov/volunteer or e-mail the KHS volunteer administrator at phyllis.gilman@ky.gov.

I love an active library, and Whitley County is ready to record

 

After traveling the state quite a bit since starting here at KHS in 2005, I was surprised to get a chance to visit someplace new to me, Williamsburg, KY. I had been to Whitley County before, but never before the county seat. It was a an easy drive down I-75 into a very cute downtown, signs all over the place for the farmer’s market and a lot of green every where I went. If you haven’t been there, it is time to go.

Internal monolog aside, I was invited by the Whitley County Public Library  in conjunction with the Whitley County Historical and Genealogical Society to conduct an oral history workshop to get community volunteers ready to assist in an oral history project getting started down there. The library has purchased a professional audio recorder, ready to use for oral history, if you have history with Whitley County then consider giving them a call and signing up (or sign up your neighbor). 

Even with a torrential downpour which started immediately when I made it inside the library, there was still a good turnout of oral historians in training. With all of that enthusiasm, I can see this project going far. We discussed the basics framework of an oral history interview, preparation, conducting the interview and follow-up, as well as using digital recorders, ethics and the importance of release forms.
 This group is ready to get started documenting the history of Whitley County through the voice of its residents. Really, bring your parents, neighbors, dentist in and get them paired with a volunteer oral historian to record that story. It all makes up the individual AND community history of this county and the people. Take history into your own hands and participate!

In addition to that, the snacks were great and the sense-of-humor was even better.
Thanks for the invitation and the participation on such a wet day. I can’t wait to see what you all do.

 - Sarah Milligan

image, top - KHS Collection. 1987PH11.00121. Whitley County Courthouse. 1965.

Exploring the KJHS Archives

Hello! My name is Derrick Ranostaj. I am a recent graduate from Kent State University with a master’s degree from the School of Library and Information Science. I also have a master's degree in public history. Currently, I am an intern in the Kentucky Historical Society’s education department.

As an intern I am helping to get ready for the Kentucky Junior Historical Society’s 50th anniversary. I am also updating the database used in the history bowl. KJHS is an outreach program that encourages K-12 students to appreciate and learn about the events that have shaped Kentucky’s history. 

My internship allows me to delve into the records of the KJHS archives. As I go through these records I am struck by how passionate and active many of these young KJHS members were in their local groups.

There are a great number of projects that reflect these young scholars' passion in both history and state pride. I hope to share much of this information with you in the upcoming weeks during my internship here at the Kentucky Historical Society.

The 50th anniversary gives us a great opportunity to reflect upon the past, and plan for the next 50 years of KJHS!

If anyone would like to share any past stories, or donate any pictures from the Kentucky Junior Historical Society to commemorate their 50th anniversary, please contact Tim Talbott at 502-564-1792 ext. 4428, or Tim.Talbott@ky.gov.

California Burgoo

 
 First, I have to admit…As a native Californian, I had never heard of “burgoo” until I started digitizing some archival video footage of Kentucky Folklife Program director, Bob Gates, interviewing participants at the 2007 Kentucky Colonels Bar-B-Que event in Louisville. This is a small reminder that one full year as a resident of Kentucky still leaves me with quite a lot of regional folkways to learn about. So…where and how can I try the best burgoo? Perhaps you know the answer (leave a comment!).

 As the Kentucky Folklife Program’s summer graduate intern, I’m working at one of the epicenters of public sector folklife research and programming in the state. The 2011 summer season marks the half-way point in the completion of my Master’s degree in Folk Studies from Western Kentucky University (the same program which has excellently yielded the full-time folklorists of KFP)--a continuation of my undergraduate degree in folklore and ethnomusicology from Indiana University.

 Building on experiences working in folklife studies and programming at Indiana’s state folklife agency, Traditional Arts Indiana, and with the Smithsonian Institution’s Folkways Recordings, and the annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival, I’m now very glad to be here at the Kentucky Historical Society, diving into the rich heritage of Kentucky's folk and traditional arts as a seasonal member of the Folklife team.

 Over the summer, I’m helping with a few different projects. A couple days out of the week I organize materials from KFP’s archives. On my first day of work I was organizing release forms from our “More than Music” project—a heritage driving tour of Kentucky’s Route 23, the Country Music Highway—and I stumbled upon the signatures of Loretta Lynn, Patty Loveless and other important Kentucky performers involved in the project. I admit I let out a squeal. (Contact us to purchase your copy of the driving tour, 502-564-1792, attn: Bob Gates)  

I’m also helping with our upcoming traveling exhibit, “The Makings of A Master,” commemorating the 20^th anniversary of KFP’s Folk Arts Apprenticeship program. From editorial assistance for the upcoming exhibit, to deconstructing, moving and reconstructing our current traveling exhibit on Kentucky luthiers, it’s been a baptism-by-fire into the joys and mishaps that come with curating and managing a dynamic folklife exhibit. This hands-on experience is particularly timely for me as I’m independently curating a small exhibit at WKU on Freeman Kitchens—a Warren Co., Ky. record collector who founded the official fan club of the America’s beloved Carter Family, producing an important legacy of early music journalism and grassroots documentation of 20th century country music culture in and around Kentucky. The exhibit opens August 27, 2011 at the Kentucky Museum & Library at WKU.

 
Beyond the horizon of these projects, I’ll be going out into the field, for KFP, to document and report on the arts and folk traditions of the western portion of the state in support of a future Kentucky Folklife Festival program on Western Kentucky. I'm thrilled at the responsibilities that have and will be sent my way during my internship with the Kentucky Folklife Program, as I'm swiftly gaining important insight about the everyday life of a public sector folklorist--from grant-writing, to project coordination, to curatorial duties, to the application of disciplinary theory, to archival processes, to fieldwork--it's safe to say I've got a thorough head start on my "Public Sector Folklore" course this fall.

 Amidst all this engaging work, I still find time to take this portrait of our Director, Bob Gates "fitting in" on a work trip to Berea.

 

-Jenn Jameson
Kentucky Folklife Program Intern

Photo Credits:

Image 1: Warren May, dulcimer maker, teaching Jenn to play the dulcimer in Berea. Photo by Bob Gates.
Image 2: Installing the Made to be Played exhibit at the Behringer-Crawford Museum.
Image 3: Bob Gates, Folklife Program Director, enjoys Berea's attractions.