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
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
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
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
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.
➡️www.kyhistory.com/digital/collection/MS/id...
#76for250 #America250KY @america250.bsky.social
https://www.kyhistory.com/digital/collection/MS/id/194
163 years ago, Andrew Phillips wrote family about his experience during the Civil War, which saw more than 700K deaths. Combat killed many but most were disease-related. Per Philips’ letter, disease spread through camps due to cramped and unsanitary conditions. #America250KY #kyhistory #skystorians
KHS & #America250KY are on the road. Join us at the Bell County Historical Society & Museum at 10:00am on October 18 (THIS SATURDAY), where you’ll dive into the history of the region, hear from a knowledgeable local historian, engage with history at various activity stations, and so much more!
https://kyhistory.com/digital/collection/MS/id/28521/rec/3
88 years ago, the "Great Flood" of 1937 submerged over 70% of Louisville alone. Government worried about the spread of disease so a quarantine barrier was created, but individuals like Lt. Col. Joseph R. Gray were allowed to pass this line to assist with aid. #kyhistory #America250KY #skystorians
Happy #ConstitutionWeek!
238 years ago, conventions in Danville created 1st governing document for KY with tripartite government, bicameral legislature, bill of rights, but limited popular control for electing senators (which Kentuckians would later change).
#76for250 #America250KY #kyhistory
Learn more about the KHS collection here: https://kyhistory.com/digital/collection/MS/search/searchterm/Kentucky%20Historical%20Society%2C%20Michael%20Masterson%20letters%2C%20SC%202/field/source/mode/exact/conn/and
175 years ago, Beth McManus wrote to her cousin requesting help to immigrate to the US from Ireland. During mid-1800s, Ireland was in the midst of the Great Famine, a period of crop failure and economic strife that caused many to resettle in the United States. #kyhistory #America250KY
138 years ago, in 1887, Millersburg Female College in Bourbon County, Kentucky, advertised their annual “announcement and catalogue” for prospective students to learn more about the college, alumni, and course offerings for the upcoming year.
#76for250 #America250KY #kyhistory
Congratulations to the 2026 #America250KY grant recipients! Read the article from the NKyTribune below, then learn more about America250KY here: history.ky.gov/participate/...
nkytribune.com/2025/08/kent...
Mark your calendars - KHS Civil War History Day is back! Join us September 27, 2025, 9:00am & dive into stories that shaped KY & the Border South. Hear from historians Dr. Anne Marshall, Dr. Brian McKnight, Dr. Cicero Fain & KHS staff.
RSVP: ow.ly/a8nf50WCOl0
#America250KY #kyhistory #skystorians
https://kyhistory.com/digital/collection/MS/id/10080/rec/1
222 years ago, the Miller family inscribed their family births, deaths, and marriages in a family “fraktur.” A tool for recording family histories in an ornate fashion, frakturs are stylized family records from Germany and look similar to medieval German manuscripts. #America250KY
Get ready, Graves County! KHS & #America250KY are coming to town. Join us at Graves County Public Library THIS SATURDAY at 10:00am, where you’ll dive into the fascinating history of the Jackson Purchase, hear from a knowledgeable local historian, explore collections from KHS, & more! #kyhistory
212 years ago, Cpt. James Sympson wrote about his experience in the War of 1812 for Kentucky’s Volunteer Militia during the Battle of the Thames. Kentuckians represented sixty-four percent of the total American casualties in the war, the greatest number from any state. #kyhistory #America250KY
https://kyhistory.com/digital/collection/MS/id/28021/rec/2
168 years ago, Richard Ten Broeck sold the horse Lexington for $15K. Most expensive USA equine sale at the time. Bought by Robert Alexander, owner of Woodburn Farm in Woodford Co. Had 238 winning offspring with 84 classified as “top class.” #76for250 #America250KY #equinehistory
Grab your lunch & join us in-person OR virtually THIS FRIDAY (June 6) for "The Cutting-Off Way: Indigenous Warfare in Eastern North America, 1500-1800" by Dr. Wayne Lee. The free talk will take place at NOON - see link below for more info & to register. #America250KY
history.ky.gov/events/wayne...
June 1, 1792, KY admitted as 15th state. 1st official map drafted by John Filson, 1784. Since this map, there have been major transformations in economics, population, and world-changing events during Kentucky’s 233 years as a state. #kyhistory #76for250 #America250KY
A typed notice describing the four new routes available in Mammoth Cave. Kentucky Historical Society, SC1920 https://kyhistory.com/digital/collection/MS/id/26936/rec/2
114 years ago, Mammoth Cave advertised new tour. Federally recognized as a national park in 1941, it attracted visitors for much longer. One of most famous guides was an enslaved man named Stephen Bishop. Mammoth Cave is now managed by the National Park Service. #76for250 #America250KY #kyhistory
233 years ago, in April 1792, KY’s 1st constitution was drafted and signed in Danville. It included elections by ballot, as opposed to a voice vote, and the inclusion of population-based representation, over geography, for both houses of the General Assembly. #America250KY #kyhistory
In 1920, KY suffragettes secured the right for white women to vote. The following year, white women served on juries for the first time, with the state’s first all-female jury assembled in Owensboro in 1921. They celebrated with flowers for the judge. #WomensRights #America250KY
One #America250KY theme is “doing history” which encourages the public to visit museums & engage with history. This week we highlight one of the America250KY Grant Awardees, the Faulkner Morgan Archive, a partner institution documenting, preserving, & sharing history. Learn more below. #kyhistory
https://kyhistory.com/digital/collection/MS/id/25712/rec/10
239 years ago the diplomat (M.) Otto wrote to the French Minister of Foreign Affairs describing Kentucky's landscape, population, and people. He observed that people living in KY were willing to take on the Revolutionary War for self-representation. #76for250 #America250KY #kyhistory
Founded in 1775, Lexington’s story began on the frontier. Now known as the “Horse Capital of the World” and home to one of the earliest settlements in Kentucky, Lexington played a pivotal role in shaping the state’s identity. #Lexington250 #kyhistory #LexingtonKY #America250KY
Feb 1833, Gideon Shryock wrote about his design for Greek Revival building in Frankfort. Inspired by Greece's Temple of Minerva Polias, it features double circular staircase. Used by legislature until 1909, the Old State Capitol is popular tourist spot. #America250KY #76for250 #America250 #kyhistory
Photo postcard of a group of six uniformed men standing on small bridge at Camp Zachary Taylor, Kentucky, ca. 1920. Kentucky Historical Society, Graphic15_Box1_FF4_022
When the US entered WWI, many Kentuckians joined the fight. Camp Zachary Taylor (named after the former President), located on outskirts of Louisville, became the epicenter of military effort & trained nearly 150,000 troops during the war. It was dissolved in 1920 after the war’s end. #America250KY
Mark you calendars and join us on February 15, 2025 at 11:00am for "Community Conversations: Race & Sports in Kentucky History - The Integration of the SEC." For more information and to register, see below. #America250KY #sportshistory
history.ky.gov/events/commu...
The Market House, built in 1905, in Paducah, Kentucky, has a rich history. The commercial center remained standing through 1937 flood & fire in 1968. In 1964, the Market House Players took over the building & the Market House Theatre is thriving part of Paducah’s community today. #America250KY
John Filson Map of Kentucky, 1784. Written on map it says "This map of Kentucke, drawn from actual observations is inscribed with the most perfect respect to the honorable the Congress of the United States of America, and to his excellency. George Washington, late commander in chief of their army." Kentucky Historical Society, Graphic19_Box1_2
Ahead of 2026, 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, KHS & #America250KY will highlight educational programs, statewide events, & activities throughout 2025. We are excited to share work of our staff, and our partners, for the next two years!
history.ky.gov/participate/...
