History Burgoo

Come visit the KHS Library for Thursday night programs!

In September, we started some new Thursday night programs to go along with our “Getting to Know the Library” session which is offered the first Thursday of each month at 5:30.  Now that October is here, we wanted to remind everyone of these opportunities to learn more about the library and research materials that are available.  Registration is not required for any of these programs, so you’re welcome to just show up at the Library at 5:30 on Thursdays.

 

Here’s the rundown on our programs:

•  1^st Thursday of each month, 5:30-6:30 – “Getting to Know the Library”

A Library staff member will lead interested patrons on a tour of the Martin F. Schmidt Research Library and answer questions about the resources we have available.

•  2^nd Thursday of each month, 5:30-6:30 – Fold3 Users Group

Interested in learning more about using Fold3 (which was formerly known as Footnote)?  Or are you a frequent user of Fold3 that can share your experiences and knowledge with others?  Beginners, experts, and everyone in between are welcome!

•  3^rd Thursday of each month, 5:30-6:30 – Ancestry and Heritage Quest Users Group

We’ve all heard of Ancestry.com, but what’s the best way to use it?  How do you navigate the thousands of databases they have available?  When do you have to leave the computer and go to the original records?  And what exactly is Heritage Quest?  How can it help with genealogy research?  Both of these sites can be valuable to both beginning and advanced researchers, so come to our Users Group to learn more about using these resources or offer your advice to others!

•  4^th Thursday of each month, 5:30-6:30 – RootsMagic Users Group

Do you use the genealogy software RootsMagic to organize your family tree?  Come to the library to meet fellow RootsMagic users, discuss features of the program and strategies for making the most of this software.

(Use a different genealogy software program?  Contact us at KHSRefdesk@ky.gov about forming additional user groups!)

 

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday nights in the Library!

 

How Will You Observe Patriot Day?

On December 18th, 2001 President Bush signed public law No. 107-89 designating September 11th as Patriot Day, in remembrance of the tragic events that shook our nation on September 11, 2001. Citizens are asked to fly the American flag at half-staff from dawn until dusk. The bill passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 407-0 and passed the US Senate unanimously.

The outpouring of patriotism in our country following the attacks on September 11, 2001 was a strong message to the world. It reflected the strength and resolve of our country’s founders. I once heard that patriotism is the duct tape of democracy. Perhaps that is true. It brings out the best in us when we focus on the big picture and not on our differences. In between those times of tragedy and triumph, some put their patriotism on the back burner. Why can't we be patriotic every day?

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution has chosen to commemorate this tenth anniversary of the attacks on our country by encouraging state societies and local chapters to promote events in their communities to remember the nearly 3,000 who died in the attacks and the many thousands more whose lives were changed forever by the loss of a loved one. The NSDAR has even designed a banner which may be purchased and presented to first responders and others in your community. The objectives of the NSDAR are to promote Education, Historic Preservation, and Patriotism.

The Kentucky Society Daughters of the American Revolution will join with the Kentucky Historical Society on Sunday, September 11th, at 3 o'clock in the Cralle-Day Garden at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, 100 W. Broadway, Frankfort in observance of this Patriot Day. It is fitting that the ceremony will take place in front of the Kentucky Liberty Bell. The Liberty Bell is a symbol of that freedom which was won at places like Lexington and Yorktown, Midway and Normandy, and now is being defended as far away as Iraq and Afghanistan.  It represents a way of life so precious to us, but which others may seek to take away.

So wherever you are on Sunday, take a few minutes out of your day to remember those who were lost and those who grieve and those who bravely stepped forward to defend our country. If you can come to Frankfort, please join us. If not, find a way to show your patriotism and appreciation for the liberty we so often take for granted.

-Leslie Miller, KHS membership coordinator

 

Did you know that the original Liberty Bell was not called by that name until abolitionists adopted it as a symbol in the 1830's? And later the bell was used as a symbol by suffragists who commissioned a replica and had the clapper chained to the bell to symbolize the women's inability to have their voices heard.

The Kentucky Liberty Bell is one of 55 replicas cast in 1950 as part of a US savings bond drive. Each state, the District of Columbia, and two US territories received replicas. Most are displayed at or near the state capital. The Kentucky Liberty Bell, once on display at the Old State Capitol, can now be seen at the Kentucky Historical Society's Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History. Come by and see if it inspires you to wave your flag!

 

Inscription on the accompanying plaque:

DEDICATED TO YOU, A FREE CITIZEN IN A FREE LAND

THIS REPRODUCTION OF THE LIBERTY BELL WAS PRESENTED TO THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY

BY DIRECTION OF

THE HONORABLE JOHN W. SNYDER

SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY

AS THE INSPIRATIONAL SYMBOL OF THE

UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS INDEPENDENCE DRIVE

FROM MAY 15 TO JULY 4, 1950 IT WAS

DISPLAYED IN EVERY PART OF THIS STATE.

 

THE DIMENSIONS AND TONE ARE IDENTICAL

WITH THOSE OF THE ORIGINAL LIBERTY BELL

WHEN IT RANG OUT OUR INDEPENDENCE IN 1776.

IN STANDING BEFORE THIS SYMBOL, YOU

HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEDICATE

YOURSELF, AS DID OUR FOREFATHERS,

TO THE PRINCIPLES OF THE INDIVIDUAL

FREEDOM FOR WHICH OUR NATION STANDS

Learning "Thorough Research" from Elizabeth Shown Mills

Last Saturday I got to represent KHS at the annual seminar of the Kentucky Genealogical Society.  I was extremely excited because the speaker this year was Elizabeth Shown Mills, who is known as a leader in the field of genealogy.

If I could use only two words to sum up Ms. Mills’ presentation, those words would be “thorough research.”  So often people think of genealogy as a family chart, listing birth, marriage, and death dates, and linking one generation to the next.  Ms. Mills was quick to point out that “genealogy is not the gathering of names – it is the study of people, people who led lives beyond their birth, marriage and death.”  Since our ancestors lives consisted of more than just birth, marriage, and death, we need to look at other records, maybe records we don’t often think of as being “genealogical records,” in order to piece together the events of their lives.

Also, just as you and I live in connection with other people (friends, co-workers, neighbors, and family), so did our ancestors.  Mills suggests familiarizing yourself with neighbors (looking at 15-20 households listed before and after your ancestors in the census), family members (who may also be neighbors), and fellow church-members.  She calls these relationships a person’s “FAN club” (Friends, Acquaintances, Neighbors).

Going back to the “thorough research” idea, one of the things Ms. Mills emphasized is the use of original records.  Several of the cases studies she used in her presentation started with people only looking at abstracts and indexes and never going to the original record.  Okay, we all know that handwriting is a pain to read, especially when it’s on microfilm, but there is no way to be certain that you have all the possible information unless you have seen the record yourself.  Even if the record contains information that you may consider “extraneous,” make note of that information because you never know when it may become useful.  Perhaps that extraneous information will connect to the next record you find!

I’ll admit, as I listened to Ms. Mills, I couldn’t help thinking, “This sounds exhausting!!”  (Maybe that’s where the phrase “exhaustive research” comes from.)  However, her case studies proved again and again that if you research thoroughly, if you go to the original records and pull out every bit of information you can find, the answers can be found.  They may not be in black and white on a single record the way we would like, but you can make inferences and connections and discover ways through and around the “brick walls” in your genealogy.

Thanks to the Kentucky Genealogical Society for bringing Ms. Mills to Frankfort and putting on a great seminar!

-Jennifer Howard

PS...If you attended the seminar, please use the comments section below to add your thoughts on Ms. Mills’ presentation and what you found most useful.

 

Images:

1) Elizabeth Shown Mills

2) Portion of the will of J. Nelson of Madison County, Kentucky. Full document and transcript available on the KHS Digital Collections.

 

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.

Spring Film Series Kicks Off March 17

Films have become an important part of programming at KHS since March 2010.  Since that time we have screened eight films, which have covered topics from stereotyping the "hillbilly image" to learning more about the "Narco" farm on Leestown Road in Fayette county to the terrible tragedy of the Prestonsburg school bus crash in the 1950's.  All of these films have given us an opportunity to explore Kentucky's culture and history that may not be found in other mediums.  We have also been fortunate to host a few directors for our screenings and this has given our audience an opportunity to talk with the filmmakers firsthand about their knowledge on the topic and their experience making the films.

This March 17 will begin the spring film series at KHS and will continue along the lines of the programming offered in 2010.  Again, we will be featuring independent films made by Kentuckians and about Kentucky topics.  We are also fortunate that we will have multiple directors on hand for the March and April films, a tradition we hope to continue throughout 2011.  Thanks to everyone for their support of this new program and we look forward to a great year of movie watching.

Our first set of screenings will be a group of short films by the youth filmmaking crew of the Appalachian Media Institute (AMI).  Many of these films address social and cultural issues that directly connect with Kentucky culture, from the stereotypes that go along with the eastern Kentucky accent to families coping with loved ones serving in the military overseas.  Provocative, insightful, and sometimes humorous these films are told from the perspective of the young people making them.  In addition to the films being shown, the directors will be in attendance and will participate in an informal question and answer session after the screenings. 

Above image from "Back Home," courtesy AMI.

AMI has been training youth in media literacy since 1988 and they help young people explore how media production skills can be used to ask, and begin to answer, critical questions of themselves and their communities.

In April, KHS will be screening another original documentary, this one on the life and times of former major league baseball player Steve Hamilton. Titled "The Father, The Pitcher, The Hero"  this film, made by several students from Morehead State University, chronicles the late baseball players life, pitching career, and involvement with the Major League Baseball's Players Association. 

      

Our third film, "To Save the Land and People" is a history of the early efforts to stop strip mining in Kentucky.  The documentary, directed by Anne Lewis, also discusses the impact that coal mining has on
Above image, screen shot from "To Save the Land and People," courtesy Appalshop, Inc.

the environment and the community in which it is found.  "To Save the Land and People" is an Appalshop film and more information can be learned from their website, www.appalshop.org. 

All films are free with admission to the Kentucky Historical Society campus and include film screening, entrance to Thomas D. Clark Center exhibitions, as well as free popcorn and soda.  For more information about the film series contact Mike Deetsch at mike.deetsch@ky.gov or 502-564-1792.

2nd Saturday Family History Workshops - A Look at 2011

KHS Collection: Graphic 4 Goupille Family Collection. African American family poses in the yard, ca. 1913.

Five years ago, the close genealogical relationship between the Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) and the Kentucky Genealogical Society (KGS) took another step forward with the joint creation of a series of free workshops designed to appeal to genealogists and family historians. Held on the second Saturday of each month, the traditional meeting day of the KGS, the workshops/meetings begin at 10:30 a.m. with a KGS sponsored program that lasts until about 11:30. There is a break for lunch and then an afternoon session, sponsored by the KHS, begins at 12:30p.m. It runs until about 1:30. Morning and afternoon sessions usually feature a speaker of local or regional prominence to talk about a topic on genealogy or family history. Occasionally, a panel discussion is presented or the speaker’s topic will involve an aspect of Kentucky history.  

Registration for the program is strongly encouraged in order to ensure adequate seating. A box lunch for $6.00 may be ordered at the time of registration but no later than noon of the Friday preceding the workshop. Registration may be made by email at RefDesl@ky.gov. or by phone at 502-564-1792, ext. 4460.

This year’s series of workshops is of similar format to the programs of the past. The morning session of the January 8, 2011 Second Saturday workshop began with a presentation by Don Rightmyer, editor of Kentucky Ancestors, who spoke about what it takes to write an article for Ancestors. The second presentation of the January program was “Finding Violet – A Family’s Quest”, a case study presented by Tom Adkins, a transplanted Kentucky genealogist and family historian, who is now a resident of Ohio.

The Second Saturday workshop for February 12, 2011 will again feature Don Rightmyer, this time speaking on migration patterns into Kentucky. The second speaker for February is another KHS staff member, Lynne Hollingsworth, who will talk about the Old Court/New Court controversy of early nineteenth century Kentucky, and its effect on migration and settlement in the Commonwealth.

As the workshop schedule moves into the spring, March 12, 2011 features a Genealogy 101 program presented by the regionally renowned genealogy and family history expert, Deborah Campisano. Deborah will spend both morning and afternoon sessions detailing how to get started in finding and documenting your family.

On April 9, 2011, both parts of the program will deal with cemeteries and cemetery preservation and the May 14th workshop will present Louise Jones discussing the preservation of documents in the morning session and Trevor Jones telling how to preserve artifacts in the second session.

On June 11, 2011, Roger Futrell will talk about the kinds of paperwork generally required for lineage societies in the morning. The afternoon session will be a panel discussion with representatives from several lineage societies such as the DAR and the SAR. There will be a one on one opportunity to meet with the lineage society representatives after the panel discussion.

Another panel discussion format will present itself the next month at the July 9, 2011 meeting. The morning session will see a panel of well known local and regional genealogists discuss strategies in  dealing with brick walls. The panel will reconvene for the afternoon session and offer solutions to brick wall problems submitted by the audience.

The August Second Saturday program will actually be moved to the first weekend of August to accommodate the annual KGS Seminar featuring the nationally renowned genealogist, Elizabeth Shown Mills. The seminar will be a two day event, August 5th and August 6th, with break-out programs and an opportunity for local family history and genealogy groups to come together.

The September 10th morning program will host representatives from three libraries around the state, each taking about twenty minutes to discuss the genealogy and family history strengths of their respective institutions. In the afternoon, these representatives, together with staff of the Martin F. Schmidt Research Library, will offer sessions on getting started and on solving difficult research problems.

On October 8, 2011, representatives from Family Search will conduct an information session on their product in the morning. In the afternoon, they will conduct a hands-on session for workshop participants.

In November, the Second Saturday program will once again move to the first Saturday of the month in order not to conflict with Frankfort’s Candlelight Tour. The November 5th program will present a double feature on military records with one of the region’s leading experts, Brandon Slone. The morning session will cover American military records from colonial times through the Civil War. The afternoon session will cover later military records.

The last Second Saturday program of 2011 will be held on December 10th. Deborah Campisano will close out the genealogy year with a program “Digging Deeper for the Gold; Genealogy 201”. Ms. Campisano will expand on her genealogy basics workshop and take her December audience on an exploration of advanced genealogy and family history techniques during her morning and afternoon sessions.

There is also a Kentucky Technology in Genealogy (KTIG) program held after most Second Saturday workshops. The KTIG program discusses the use of technology such as software and online resources in genealogy and family history. It occurs fifteen minutes after the conclusion of the Second Saturday workshop.

--Jim Kastner

Images: top right, powerpoint slide from previous workshop. above right, KHS Collection. Graphic 4 Goupille Family Collection. An Assyrian Woman" ca. 1913. top left, KHS Collection. CAM.1990ph2.a3CAM8. Prying slot machine off wall in gambling raid, Newport. From state police file. 1958. above left, KHS Collection. 98M03.B20.425. A machine gun team at practice.Three soldiers crouch behind a large bush in the sand and practice using a Lewis gun. ca. 1916

Tickets now on Sale for "The Very Worst Thing," November 18, 6:30 p.m.

Advanced tickets for The Very Worst Thing are now on sale through the Kentucky Historical Society.  The film will be screened at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History at 100 West Broadway, Frankfort, KY  40601.  The director will speak after the film.  Advanced ticket prices are $8 for KHS members and $10 for non-members.  Admission fee includes popcorn, soda, and entrance to the KHS history campus and sites.  To order your tickets in advance please email julia.curry@ky.gov or call (502) 564-1792 ext. 4414. 

The Very Worst Thing is a documentary film about the worst school bus crash in U.S. history.  On the morning of February 28, 1958, a school bus carrying 48 elementary and high school students on U.S. Highway 23 in Floyd County, Kentucky plunged into the swollen waters of the Big Sandy River.  Twenty-six children and their driver perished that morning, making it the worst school bus accident in U.S. history.  The tragedy not only shook the small, eastern Kentucky community but also the entire nation.  The cause of the wreck remains a mystery even to this day.  Additional information about the tragedy can be found at www.thekapt.com and www.floycountytimes.com.

Remix Films revisits the tragedy with their documentary film The Very Worst Thing, which was shot throughout 2009 in Kentucky.  Several individuals who were personally affected by the tragedy were interviewed.

The Very Worst Thing also included several original photographs taken during the recovery effort, many of which have been unseen by the general public.  Also included is a rare radio broadcast from the rescue scene from Ernest Sparkman of WSGS Radio, recorded just hours after the accident.

About Remix Films

Remix Films is an independent film company that consists of filmmakers Michael Crsip, Andrew Moore, and Scott McBrayer. More information can be found at http://www.theveryworstthing.com/. 

Playing it up at the History Center!

Last night, KHS visitors and staff experienced a real treat at our Bill Monroe Centennial Kick-Off Concert!  It was an absolutely splendid performance by former Blue Grass Boys Jim Smoak and Danny Jones, and master bluegrass musicians Hoot Hester, Steve Cooley and Larry Raley!  The way that they played together, you would have thought they’ve been in a band together for years.

 Now, as awesome as last night’s performance was, I would be seriously remiss to go on and on about it and not to talk about our Voices of Kentucky Concert that happened August 26th.  So now that I’ve teased you with the bluegrass concert, I let you know how the Voices of Kentucky Concert went.  You’ll just have to wait until next week to hear the samples from last night’s concert.

We had the spectacular female trio of the Johnson Sisters, along with Don Rigsby and the fabulous Northern Kentucky Brotherhood Singers.  We’ve worked with them before at our Made to Be Played concerts, and thought that it would be wonderful to get them all together on stage again.  Here they are performing at Made to Be Played:

Each group sang individually until the very end, when they all performed together in what was a very harmonious rendition of “Swing Low.”  Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not all that familiar with gospel harmony, but I do know a bit about a cappella performances, and they really blew me away.  So, to share the experience, clip the player below to hear Don Rigsby and co, The Johnson Sisters and the Northern Kentucky Brotherhood Singers perform “Swing Low:”

VoicesofKentucky_web_clip

The concert was a great success, and as last night’s were as well, we hope to have many more to come.  Keep tabs on the Kentucky Historical Society’s frequent special events and Thursday night programming for more exciting opportunities to listen, learn and experience Kentucky’s incredible culture and history.

-Alisha Martin

(Sampling) Food is Good for the Spirit

In my family, a good recipe is the most treasured heirloom.  Dishes from family recipes are prepared frequently. And while the food is almost definitely shared with “outsiders,” the recipes usually are not.

Simply stated, food and culture intertwine almost inextricably, as several of our folklorists have written—and Kentucky traditions show up in our recipes as often as they show up in our collectibles and our events.  Food is something we celebrate, share, and take immense pride in—and we should. For the most part—and I know I’m biased—Kentucky food is unbeatable. 

At KHS we recognize our love affair with food, and think September is a great time of year to showcase some of the best foods and eateries in central Kentucky. As a result, we will host “A Kentucky Food Sampler” from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on September 23 right here at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History.

In just one stop, our guests that evening can sample foods from five of the Bluegrass region’s most iconic restaurants. The menu for the event includes duchess potatoes and green bean bundles from the All the Way Shoppe in Bagdad; Kentucky country ham and biscuits and bread pudding with bourbon sauce from the historic Beaumont Inn in Harrodsburg; Stonecross Farm roast pork with spiced fruit chutney and Happy Jack’s butternut squash gratin from Holly Hill Inn in Midway; Jonathan’s Kentucky burgoo and Capriole goat cheese salad with cayenne-pecan brittle, fresh peaches and peach preserves vinaigrette from Jonathan’s at Gratz Park in Lexington;  and meatloaf and fresh apple cake from the Whistle Stop in Glendale.

In addition to all these foods, two cookbooks and recipes from them will also be represented at the event. Authors Kathy Mayfield and Suzy Smith will bring My Mare’s Mini Hot Brown appetizers and furlong mushrooms in phyllo shells, both of which are represented in “Sterling Bits Cookbook.” David Domine’, author of “Splash of Bourbon: Kentucky’s Spirit,” will offer Kentucky gumbo and bourbon brioche.  The two cookbooks, plus a cookbook from Jonathan’s at Gratz Park—“Jonathan’s Bluegrass Table: Redefining Kentucky Cuisine”—will be for sale at the event.  Mayfield, Smith, Domine’, and Jonathan Lundy will be on-hand to discuss and sign their books.

Now first of all, this is a lot of food. But I’m not finished. Our friends at Red Dot Wine and Spirits will also be providing a wine tasting for our guests and will tell you how to pair the wines with the food we will serve.

If you have never tasted foods from these restaurants or aren’t sure what types of wines are really for you, this is a great way to get an idea of the many tastes the Bluegrass region offers. But even if you are a frequent patron of these iconic eateries, this sampler is a one-stop, economical evening out on the town.

Reservations are required for the event, and the deadline for making reservations is Friday, September 17.  Tickets are $35 for KHS members and $40 for all other guests.  You can contact Julia Curry at Julia.Curry@ky.gov or 502-564-1792 to reserve your spot.

One final note: Membership to the Kentucky Historical Society pays for itself! Included in an individual membership, you receive the Chronicle, the KHS quarterly membership publication; either the Register or Kentucky Ancestors; and free admission to the KHS history campus for yourself and a guest. Along with that, you also receive discounts to KHS events and programs.  As the holiday season approaches, remember KHS memberships as an option for gifts for your loved ones.

--Laura Coleman 

Top Image: This guy looks like he's having fun!  George Conrad making his annual Christmas fruitcake while the grandchildren watch. Rumsey, 1989. KHS Digital Collections. 
Middle Image: This cookbook, "Jonathan’s Bluegrass Table: Redefining Kentucky Cuisine,” will be available for purchase at the event. Don't forget to have Jonathan sign it!
Bottom Image: If this family were at our event, they'd be so much more excited. Family around picnic table. Ashland, ca. 1916. KHS Digital Collections.
 

“It isn’t the heat, it’s the humidity.”

Anybody experiencing Kentucky’s summers can attest to this adage.  The weather during the month of August in 1855 wasn’t any different.  However, it wasn’t just the heat and the humidity that caused the residents of Louisville to sweat.  The political climate had caused many to get hot under the collar and get a bit overheated as well.  The American Party, also known as the “Know Nothings” had been touting (particularly German and Irish) anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic sentiments through the weeks leading up to election day on August 6^th.  Many believe a particularly strong worded editorial by Louisville Journal Editor George Prentice stirred the angry masses. 

 

“Let the foreigners keep their elbows to themselves today at the polls. Americans are you all ready? We think we hear you shout ‘ready.’ Well fire, and may heaven have mercy on the foe.” - George Prentice, 1855

    Riots erupted which lasted until after midnight, leaving twenty-two people dead, hundreds homeless, and caused thousands of dollars in property damage.  “Bloody Monday” as it is to be forever known, was certainly a dark day in Louisville’s history. 

 

“Necessity Knows No Law: The Lives and Liberties of Bloody Monday” which details some of the events of that day, was created by the Museum Theatre program for the “Our New Kentucky Home: Immigrant Experiences” exhibition in 2006 and is performed regularly as part of our rotating schedule of plays.

 

Over the years, the Museum Theatre program has also had the honor of performing this play at the German American Club in Louisville and most recently at Lincoln Elementary, the site of the new performing arts school in Louisville, in conjunction with the University of Louisville’s College of Arts and Sciences and the department of International Programs.  State Representative Reginald Meeks (District 42) hosted this event which included a performance of “Necessity Knows No Law”, preceding a lively discussion of current immigration issues with many voices from the diverse immigrant community of Jefferson County.  With representatives from the Latino, African, German, Austrian, Polish, and British communities in attendance, as well as members of the Human Relations Commission and the Muhammad Ali Center in attendance, the two hour program was an engaging evening of performance and dialogue. 

 

Five years ago, during the 150^th anniversary of the little known “Bloody Monday” event, the story was remembered through a series of special events, and the dedication of a new historical marker.  The Kentucky Historical Marker Program is administered by the Kentucky Historical Society in cooperation with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, and commemorates historical sites, events, and personalities throughout the commonwealth.  Visit the online searchable marker database and enter “Bloody Monday” in the search engine to learn more.

 

The message and meaning of our play continues to find relevance to modern immigrants and to modern immigration issues.  Even though the events of Bloody Monday occurred a little over 155 years ago, some of the sentiments and attitudes still resonate today.  Visit the Kentucky Historical Society on Saturdays in September to see “Necessity Knows No Law: The Lives and Liberties of Bloody Monday” and relive one of the dark days of Kentucky’s history.  Visit our online calendar to see more performance dates and times for September.

- Adam Luckey, Museum Theatre Specialist