As NASA’s Artemis II crew heads home, remember part of that story is already here in KY. Moon rocks from Apollo 11 & 17 were shared with all 50 states as goodwill gifts. Small pieces of the Moon now rest here at home, linking past missions to the next giant leap. 🌕

What does landlocked Kentucky have to do with the U.S. Navy? More than you might think. Meet the Navy’s History & Heritage Team at the KY Military History Museum, tomorrow Apr. 10, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., and explore the connection. ➡️https://ow.ly/ZJUS50YBP0E ➡️https://ow.ly/W2GL50YBP0B

Our shy bibliophiles prefer to let the books do the talking, so help us wish a Happy National Library Workers Day to the faces behind the stories. Stop by and find your next read! Tues.-Sat. 10 am-5 pm. https://ow.ly/64GO50YFfsE

Exciting News! The Martin F. Schmidt Research Library is now open to the public on Tuesdays. The full weekly hours are Tuesday - Saturday, from 10 am - 5 pm. 👉 Learn more: https://ow.ly/YGC050YsZxw

208 years ago, KY legislature selected Luke Munsell to survey the state line between KY and TN. Loaned $6K to complete job, planned to pay back when map completed. The first official map of Kentucky. 76for250 #America250

What would you write if you were building a life in a new country… without speaking the language? John Savary did just that in early Kentucky. His 80 letters reveal life, politics, and friendship on the frontier. 🎧 Hear his story on Kentucky Chronicles: https://ow.ly/mqUA50Yx1Uq

📚 The Martin F. Schmidt Research Library is now open to the public on Tuesdays! Research your family roots, work on a book or class project, or explore Kentucky history with our collections. Learn more: 🔗 https://ow.ly/q2cK50YrSwF Hours & admission: 🔗 https://ow.ly/2gUj50YrSwB

IMPORTANT!! KHS is proud to announce that all historical interpretation will now be conducted exclusively by time-traveling historians. Seriously, though, what's your favorite historical joke? Here's a fun one from our collections: https://ow.ly/JLke50YBmoU

178 years ago, Zachary Taylor chosen as Whig Party’s candidate for US president after four rounds of voting. Henry Clay, ultimately lost the nomination. Taylor’s supporters championed him as a hero of the Mexican-American War and as a safe political bet for the Whigs. #76for250

“What do you mean we haven’t…?” In 1976, that question revealed Kentucky had overlooked a major milestone tied to the Reconstruction Amendments. A story about memory, history, and what gets left behind. https://ow.ly/bf5n50Yzrnx

Eula Hall was a lifelong advocate who fought tirelessly for the people of Appalachia. During #WomensHistoryMonth, we remember her pivotal as a healthcare pioneer and self-described “hillbilly activist.” Learn more about her story in the Appalshop film "Mud Creek Clinic": https://loom.ly/zCufdvQ

My article is here! Sending appreciation to Gerald Smith at the University of Kentucky and Stephanie Lang at the Kentucky Historical Society. Thank you for the opportunity to share my research on women in the Black Appalachian Commission!!

83 years ago, Claude Likens, of Kosmodale, served as SGT with 192nd Tank Battalion keeping a journal while a POW in the Pacific during WWII. He survived Bataan Death March, where 60-70,000 POWs forced to march through Philippines. #76for250 #America250KY @america250.bsky.social

KHS is hiring! Join our team and help connect people, places, and stories across the Commonwealth. From visitor services to public history and admin support, there’s a place to make an impact. Explore openings: https://history.ky.gov/about/careers #NowHiring #KYJobs #PublicHistory

Unfortunately, we have to cancel our Saturday event titled, "Remembering the Scotia Mine Disaster," with Dr. Brian McKnight. Stay up to date on our website for a rescheduled date.

Feeling green? Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 🍀

234 years ago, Revolutionary War veteran John McDowell wrote a letter to Andrew Reid about early KY's everyday events, including the new state constitution and his contribution to statehood. #76for250 #America250KY @america250.bsky.social

🎉 The KHS YouTube channel turned 17 today! Explore hundreds of videos featuring Kentucky history, including History Treasures, our podcast, and Kentucky Ancestors TV. 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss new content: https://www.youtube.com/kyhistoricalsociety

46 years ago, the KY Pro-ERA Alliance sent pamphlets with testimonials from women like Allie Hixson who supported national Equal Rights Amendment. The ERA was a proposed amendment to the US Constitution that sought to provide “equality of rights” on the “basis of sex.” #76for250

March 9, 1976, explosion at Scotia Mine killed 15 miners. Two days later, 2nd blast claimed 11 more, making it one of deadliest mining disasters in U.S. history. 🎧 This Kentucky Chronicles episode with Dr. Brian McKnight shares the story and its impact. https://ow.ly/EXiu50Yp9RN

When courthouse fires destroy records, can genealogists still find answers? 🔍 New Kentucky Ancestors blog reexamines Peter Little of Morgan County and shows how tax rolls, land records, and census clues corrected his long-accepted death date. https://ow.ly/HK3s50YpE2U #Genealogy

On March 9, 1976, an explosion in the Scotia mines killed 15 people. Two days later, a second explosion occurred, killing an additional 11 people. Join us as Dr. Brian McKnight examines the lead-up to the explosions and why they occurred. FREE event March 21, 2026. history.ky.gov/events/remem...

William Goebel was shot on his way into the Old State Capitol after a fiercely disputed election. Sworn in on his deathbed, he became the only U.S. governor ever assassinated in office. Read our newest blog: ➡️https://history.ky.gov/stories-and-blogs/william-goebel-the-man-behind-the-statue

Mar. 9, 1976, explosion at Scotia Mines, Oven Fork, killed 15. Two days later, a second explosion occurred, killing an additional 11. Dr. Brian McKnight leads a program on March 21 examining explosions and why the explosions occurred. RSVP: https://ow.ly/ceOn50XXuOM

164 years ago, Union soldier Jessie Hyde passed through Bowling Green, during the Civil War. He commented, “This was one of the rebels’ strongest points of defense,” and that “Bowling Green was, undoubtedly, a beautiful place before the commencement of the war.” #76for250 @america250.bsky.social

222 years ago, Chief Justice John Marshall wrote a biography of George Washington at the request of Washington’s nephew. The included maps capture an in-progress snapshot of the country as it was during the Revolutionary War, before KY was a state. ➡️https://ow.ly/LLXG50Y1jSG @america250.bsky.social

Kentucky schools: Free KHS field trips are coming in 2026 for America 250! Funded by the Elizabeth Lloyd “Libby” Jones Student Scholarship Fund, this program expands student access to Kentucky history. Teachers can learn more at history.ky.gov.

172 years ago, Craig Newton published a defense of his actions to reduce the sentence of abolitionist Delia Webster, a teacher who helped enslaved people cross the Ohio River. She served two-year sentence in state penitentiary. ➡️https://ow.ly/piua50Y1jHx #76for250 #America250KY

Thank you, Linda May, a retired teacher who volunteers as a virtual transcriber, reviewing and reproducing manuscripts. Linda lives in Indiana but has ties to Kentucky and wants to expand public access to our collections through our digital catalog. https://history.ky.gov/participate/volunteer

In 1954, Muhammad Ali lost his prized red Schwinn bike. That twist of fate led him to the Columbia Gym at Spalding University in Louisville, where he met Joe Martin, a local police officer and boxing coach and thus built an iconic career in boxing. 🥊 https://explorekyhistory.ky.gov/items/show/892

Upcoming funding deadline #skystorians. KHS is accepting applications for the KHS research fellowship program, which offers access to an array of KHS archival and museum collections across topics and time periods. Spring deadline is MARCH 1, 2026. 🐎 📖 history.ky.gov/khs-for-me/f...

*LAST CALL Join KHS Oral Historian, Michael Kilmore, for a VIRTUAL workshop explaining the oral history grant application process and answering your questions. Feb. 18, 11 am - 12:00 pm EST Feb. 19, 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm EST Register here: https://ow.ly/tSMS50XWWRZ

LAST CALL FOR VOLUNTEER JUDGES: 👀 National History Day in Kentucky regional competitions begin soon, and you can help make a difference by volunteering as a judge for competing students. Register here: ➡️https://register.nhd.org/Contests Learn more: ➡️https://history.ky.gov/nhdky

190 years ago, Thomas and Eliza Jan Harrison sold a home to Dennis Doram in Boyle County, an African American family in Danville. Dorams purchased their own freedom, became successful business owners, and were wealthy landowners. ➡️https://ow.ly/AgHT50Y1juh #76for250 #America250KY

What happens when a high-stakes Kentucky scandal meets the world of undercover female spies? The newest podcast from Kentucky Chronicles features Professor Elizabeth De Wolfe to discuss her book Alias Agnes. 🎧 https://youtu.be/ycB9D4J_2QQ #KYHistory #TrueCrime #WomenInHistory

💜Check out our Black History Highlights series this month on the KHS Instagram page: ➡️https://www.instagram.com/kentuckyhistoricalsociety/ Each Tuesday in February, we will share an inspiring story from Kentucky history. #BlackHistoryMonth

162 years ago, a muster roll was created to document African Americans who joined the United States Colored Troops from 7th, 8th, and 9th KY Districts. ➡️https://www.kyhistory.com/digital/collection/MS/id/957/rec/6 #76for250 #America250KY @america250.bsky.social

In 1844, seamstress Jane Stephens Stout boldly campaigned for James K. Polk, in Henry Clay territory. Her handmade banner urged voters to switch sides, and showed how public, spirited, and risky political life was in the 19th century. Read the blog: https://ow.ly/mCOV50XvPKQ

National History Day in Kentucky regional competitions begin soon, and you can help make a difference by volunteering as a judge for competing students. Register here: ➡️https://register.nhd.org/Contests Learn more: ➡️https://history.ky.gov/nhdky

148 years ago, Robert Doram wrote to his mother about his experience at Fort Concho, Texas, and his service in the 10th US Cavalry, a unit of African Americans, known more commonly as “Buffalo Soldiers.” #76for250 #America250 @america250.bsky.social

*LAST CALL: Nominate a dynamic history organization in your community that is doing great work for a Kentucky History Award. Deadline closes on January 30, 2026. Apply here: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://ow.ly/KHht50XWHpX

Speech of Hon. Lazarus W. Powell, on the state of the Union: delivered in the Senate of the United States, January 22, 1861. Powell served as the 19th Governor of Kentucky from 1851-1855 and then as a U.S. Senator from 1859-1865. https://www.kyhistory.com/digital/collection/RB/id/7643/rec/54

Interested in oral history grant funding? 💸 Join KHS Oral Historian, Michael Kilmore, for an informative VIRTUAL workshop explaining the application process and answering your questions. Feb. 18, 11 am EST Feb. 19, 5:30 pm EST Register here: https://ow.ly/33F850XWWCU

164 years ago, Mary Ann Clark was taken prisoner by the Union Army and was discovered to be a woman disguised as a man serving in the Confederate Army. She was quickly released, but rejoined as “Lt. Henry Clark.” #76for250 #America250 @america250.bsky.social

Each year, KHS sponsors the Kentucky History Awards, recognizing the achievements of history-related organizations and the people connected with them. Nominate an organization in your community: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://ow.ly/JQve50XWHpW

Continental Army veteran Samuel Gerock took part in the Battle of Princeton, fought #onthisday in 1777. Explore his wartime papers, presented as proof of his military service for his 1818 pension application, with our online interactive: https://bit.ly/41Q99lg

Make a difference and volunteer as a judge for students competing in National History Day in Kentucky. Find the Kentucky contest date and location that works best for you. https://register.nhd.org/Contests

Congratulations to our Volunteer of the Month, Jeff Damron! Jeff is a retired attorney who has been volunteering as a moderator on our Kentucky Ancestors Facebook page since 2024. He enjoys spending time with his grandchild and helping families with their genealogy.

Fight hunger in Franklin County! Martin Luther King Jr. Day is all about serving and meeting the needs of your community. KHS and America250KY are collecting food pantry donations at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History from Jan. 12-24, Tues. – Sat. 10 am-5 pm. https://ow.ly/4nOr50XNmjL

250 years ago, Simon Oxer took an Oath of Allegiance. It is likely related to Oxer’s service in a militia during the Revolutionary War, rather than US citizenship. #76for250 #America250 America 250KY America250