Family Bible
One of the more interesting aspects of some artifacts is the physical journeys they make. Kelly from Pennsylvania submitted her husband Mark’s family bible which has traveled a long way in its […]
Making History Today
Chest and Trunk
As is often the case with Americans, we can trace our ancestry back to immigrants who came here searching for a new life. The same can be said of many
Rookwood Pottery Tiles
Newspapers have been a part of Lexington life since the early years of its existence. For over one hundred years, the Lexington Herald and Lexington Leader were the two main
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Muskrat Skin Stretcher
The state of Virginia plays a prominent role in the family history of many Kentuckians. For Ken from Lexington, his roots run back to the tidewater of Virginia and this
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Banjo Ukulele
Music is a common thread that binds many Kentucky families together. While Steve from Lexington has ancestors from Ohio, he is still connected to them through music. This banjo ukulele belonged to his grandfather who played
Family Quilt
Heirloom quilts like this one, submitted by Susan from Lexington, have long been passed through families. This hand-tacked scrap quilt was made by her great-great grandmother and passed from mother to daughter until it reached Susan. These
Childhood Home Painting
Gaynell from Greenville, KY was born in Ohio County in a house that her grandparents previously operated as a hotel and riverboat stop on the Green River. They called it The Barnard
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Liberty Hall Clock
There are many museums in Kentucky that, like Ashland, make history every day. One that has many connections with Ashland is Liberty Hall Historic Site in Frankfort, the home of Kentucky’s first
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Campaign Medal
One of the great constants of U.S. history is politics. As long as there has been a United States, there have been presidential elections and many families have a tradition of
Pocket Watch
For many years, people have kept time with pocket watches. Brad Clay from Ohio (a distant relative of Henry Clay) inherited this one. It was given by his great–great grandfather in Carter County, KY to his great-grandfather when
Racing Silk Quilt
Few things are more “Kentucky” than Thoroughbreds and the quilt submitted by Sue from Lexington was meant to convey that Kentucky spirit. Though Sue is not a native Kentuckian, she has lived in the Commonwealth for
Milking Stool
Kentucky has a long and rich artistic tradition and often Kentuckians make gifts of their art to people they care about. Diana from Lexington received this beautiful milking stool from her
Sideboard
This sideboard (larger image on top) was made by Henry Clay’s brother Porter Clay. Sideboards were used to put out food or drink to be served in the dining room
Arrowhead
Jerrye from Lexington collected this arrowhead while on a walk along the Licking River in Morehead in 1982 and has kept it as a family memento ever since. Jerrye’s family lived in Morehead, KY and enjoyed the
Stereoscope
Right now, many people are stuck at home and are looking for ways to access the wider world without leaving the house. Bettye from Versailles did that as a child
Dinner Bell
As the famous saying goes, “The best way to someone’s heart is through their stomach!” Our first family artifact submission knows all about that as did Henry Clay’s wife, Lucretia. This bell
Making History Today: Our Kentucky Families
The coronavirus has created an unprecedented public health crisis affecting all Americans by disrupting our everyday lives and by changing the way we work, learn and socialize. This is history
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