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TOURS

Tour Options

We offer several options for a more in-depth experience when visiting the Kentucky Historical Society campus. Options include self-guided tours, daily guided tours, and guided group tours.

Want to book a Field Trip? Visit our Field Trips page for more information. 

Self-Guided Tours

Browse our exhibits at your own pace. Other special exhibits can be found here.

A Kentucky Journey

Our signature museum exhibition introduces you to 12,000 years of Kentucky history. From bourbon to baseball bats, horse racing to sports cars, Civil War to Civil Rights, Kentucky’s impact is wide. Take a “journey” with us to learn how Kentucky came to be part of the U.S. consciousness.

Kentucky Journey

Hall of Governors

Meet “face-to-face” with Kentucky’s leaders in this museum gallery contains portraits of Kentucky governors. Learn about each governor’s administration and the evolution of the governor’s office. Interactive touch screens prompt thought and visitors can write their thoughts on a note board.

Hall Of Governors

Kentucky Military History Museum

Kentucky Military Treasures tells the stories of Kentuckians and their participation in nearly 200 years of conflicts. Even the building is itself a part of military history: the former State Arsenal, the building dates to 1850 and housed a cartridge factory that employed many women during the Civil War. It also played a part in the defense of the capital city from Confederate invasion.

Ky Military Museum

Old State Capitol

https://history.ky.gov/en/visit/group-tours/group-tour-registrationThe Old State Capitol building (1830-1910) was the setting for lively political debates as lawmakers grappled with such issues of the day as slavery and declarations of war. This Greek Revival building, designed by young Gideon Shryock, the state’s first native-born professionally trained architect, is the third one to have served as Kentucky’s seat of government — two previous buildings burned to the ground. The Old State Capitol building has been restored to the way it looked in the early 1850s and contains pieces original to that time.

Old State Capitol

Daily Guided Tours

The Kentucky Historical Society offers the following guided tours Tuesday - Saturday.

Old State Capitol

Guided by museum staff, visitors will explore the Old State Capitol building’s history, unique architectural features, and works of art. We’ll also delve into the politics and personalities of 19th and early 20th-century leaders who walked these halls and the issues they debated: slavery, women’s rights, and Kentucky’s response to the Civil War.

This tour convenes at the Old State Capitol Tuesday - Saturday at 2:00 pm.

Duration: 30 minutes.

For groups of 10 or more and a longer experience, see the Guided Group Tour option below. 

Kentucky Military History Museum

Guided by museum staff, visitors will explore the State Arsenal’s history, architectural features, and unique artifacts. The role of the Arsenal in the Civil War era will be highlighted, including its capture by Confederate forces in 1862 and its centrality in the Union defense of Frankfort against John Hunt Morgan’s final raid in 1864.

This tour convenes at the Kentucky Military History Museum Tuesday - Saturday at 1:00 pm.

Duration: 30 minutes.

A Kentucky Journey

Daily exhibit tours: 3 p.m. (duration: 30 minutes)

Guided by museum staff, visitors will explore A Kentucky Journey, the cornerstone exhibit of the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History. Guests will learn about key events in Kentucky’s history through interactive components of the exhibit and unique artifacts such as a cast of Daniel Boone’s skull and President Abraham Lincoln’s pocket watch.

Meet at the Admissions Desk at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History

 

Daily gallery talks: 11 a.m. (duration 15 minutes)

Engage with our knowledgeable staff and experience hands-on history and a short dialogue based on various topics presented from our investigation stations.

Meet in the center of our main exhibition, "A Kentucky Journey" (near the Model-T car)

Guided Group Tours

Groups of 10 or more receive a special price of $6 per person with access to all three of our museum sites: The Kentucky History CenterOld State Capitol, and the Kentucky Military History Museum. For a more in-depth experience, for an additional fee, add exclusive time with museum staff by booking one of our guided tours. These fun and memorable experiences are perfect for bus tours or social, business, and professional groups visiting Frankfort!

Civil War Frankfort: A Walking Tour

Did you know that Frankfort was the only state capital to be captured by the Confederacy during the Civil War? Join KHS staff for a Civil War walking tour of downtown Frankfort. Learn about the history of the state capital during the conflict and its aftermath, the prominent leaders involved, and the military clashes that raged around the city.   Length: 1.5 hours; Capacity: 15.

Cost: $5 per person (in addition to museum admission)

Hours of Availability: Tuesday - Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm. 

The Old State Capitol Experience

Guided by museum staff, visitors will explore the Old State Capitol building’s unique architectural features and works of art. We’ll also delve into the politics and personalities of 19th and early 20th century Kentuckians, getting to know the leaders who walked these halls and discussing some of the major issues they debated, such as slavery, response to the Civil War, women’s rights, and civil rights. Length: 1 hour; Capacity: 25.

Cost: $5 per person (in addition to museum admission)

Hours of Availability: Tuesday - Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm. 

Tipsy Town Tales

A private version of one of our most popular public programs.

This ain’t your average walking tour! Sip and stroll your way across Downtown Frankfort as we regale you with local tales of drunkenness and debauchery, corruption, and criminal activity – stories not safe for history textbooks! You can taste the history too, with special drinks available for purchase when we stop in at some local pubs. Length: 1.5 hours; Capacity: 20.

Must be of legal drinking age to participate. 

Cost: Non-KHS member - $25 per person; KHS member - $15 per person. Includes daytime admission to all three KHS sites and the evening tour. 

Hours of Availability: Thursdays, Fridays, or Saturdays between 4:30 pm and 7 pm (EST). 

Logistics:

  • Rates are valid for groups of ten or more
  • Membership discounts do not apply to group tours
  • Free motorcoach access and offsite parking. Find a map here.
  • Complimentary general admission for professional tour operators and drivers
  • Handicap accessible
  • Some experiences may have limited access and capacity
  • Hint: Want to avoid peak season? Visit in the Summer, Fall, or Winter!

Registration

Book your group tour two weeks in advance below. You will receive an invoice and a link to pay online. Payment is due one week before the tour date. Last-minute bookings? Please call 502-564-1792 for availability.

Cancellation Policy

If you need to reschedule your experience, prepayments will be applied towards a future date if notified within 48 hours. Any changes or cancellations to your visit must be submitted in writing to KHSeducation@ky.gov. Only refunds over $25.00 will be issued; anything under will be considered a donation to KHS.

Virtual Tours

Can't visit Frankfort? No problem, check out this virtual tour offering!

 

The Old State Capitol Experience

All your group needs is an internet connection and a love of history. Guided by museum staff, visitors will explore the Old State Capitol building’s unique architectural features and works of art. We’ll also delve into the politics and personalities of 19th and early 20th century Kentuckians, getting to know the leaders who walked these halls and discussing some of the major issues they debated, such as slavery, response to the Civil War, women’s rights, and civil rights. 

Cost: $75 per group, up to 50 participants.

Available Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 3 pm, EST, and is subject to staff availability. The tour lasts approximately one hour.

To schedule, click here to get started! Registration is also available by calling 502-564-1792 or sending an email to KHSeducation@ky.gov.

*TECHNOLOGY:  Virtual tours take place via Zoom, an online meeting platform. For optimal experience, participants should connect using a device with a screen, a keyboard, and speakers. (A web-enabled video camera is also nice, but not necessary.)  Need help using Zoom?  Check out this short video. Please call 502-564-1792 or email KHSeducation@ky.gov with any questions.