Kentucky Treasures Endowment

In 2008, concerned Kentuckians established the Kentucky Treasures Endowment to make it possible for the Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) to purchase, preserve and present endangered pieces of Kentucky's past. Realized through a planned gift from Richard C. Brown, the Kentucky Treasures Endowment encourages financial donations for this purpose.

KHS receives no public funds to purchase paintings, documents, furniture, silver, porcelain and textiles of extraordinary craft or historical significance - signature pieces of Kentuckiana. Conservation care, essential to preserving precious pieces of our past, is paid for with private donations. All exhibitions - on the road, online and on-site at the KHS campus - rely upon the generosity of commited people who want to ensure that our children know what it means to say, "I, too, am a Kentuckian."

Kentucky Treasures Endowment monies have helped make possible "Great Revivals: Kentucky Decorative Arts Treasures." Guest curated by Estill Curtis Pennington, this exhibition enabled KHS to showcase signature pieces that had not been seen by Kentuckians for decades. At the Old State Capitol through 2014, "Great Revivals" demonstrates a renewed commitment to showcase Kentucky's historic treasures.

Artifacts supported by the Kentucky Treasures Endowment include a magnificent piece that was crafted by Kentucky native Kate Mosher. She studied with Benn Pitman at the Art Academy of Cincinnati and was active in a group of female woodcarvers trained in Cincinnati. Her work was selected to be displayed at The Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia and at the Chicago World's Columbian Exposition. This piece had never been exhibited until the Kentucky Treasures Endowment Fund made it possible.

The needs for preserving important pieces of Kentucky's past, however, extend beyond that project. The "Kentucky Military Treasures" online exhibition has brought to light conservation needs within KHS's military history collections.

One more example is the frock coat that was worn by Joseph P. Nuckols while serving as colonel of the 4th Kentucky Infantry, C.S.A. A native of Barren County, Nuckols rose through the ranks of the Confederate army during the Civil War. Wounded at Shiloh, Murfreesboro and Chickamauga, he survived to become adjutant general of Kentucky in 1879. The Kentucky Historical Society purchased the coat in 1992. With support from the Kentucky Treasures Endowment, the KHS hopes to be able to display more important historic pieces like this during the Civil War Sesquicentennial.

Help save and share our Kentucky story with tomorrow's children, families and students. Make an online gift today to the Kentucky Treasures Endowment at the KHS Foundation giving page.