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 muskrat stretcher is a reminder of that fact. His grandfather hunted and trapped along the Rappahannock River and used the stretcher to dry muskrat skins that he later sold in Baltimore to furriers and hat makers. This provided a significant source of income.
Henry Clay was also a Virginian and fondly recalled his roots. This book Virginia: Its History and Antiquities was a gift to Henry Clay from its author Henry Howe. It would have been very significant to Henry Clay as a remembrance of home. Based on the inscriptions in the book, it continued to be enjoyed by his sons and grandsons. It probably also reminded them of their Virginia roots.
To view the Virginia history book in our online catalog, click here!
