A Kentucky Journey

The Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History's $2.8 million permanent exhibition, "A Kentucky Journey," uses a remarkable mixture of more than 3,000 historic artifacts, sights and sounds to bring the state's glorious past to present generations. This chronological walk through time boasts life-size environments, state-of-the art technology and 14 interactive displays.

"A Kentucky Journey" is divided into eight main areas, chronicling life in Kentucky from prehistoric times to the present: First Kentuckians (10,000 BC-AD 1750), The Kentucky Frontier (1750-1800), The Antebellum Age (1800-1860), War and Aftermath (1860-1875), Continuity and Change (1875-1900), The New Century (1900-1930), Depression and War (1930-1950) and Many Sides of Kentucky (1950-today).

Another area, Pure Kentucky, highlights the lives and contributions of famous Kentuckians through artifacts, from a boxing robe worn by Muhammad Ali and "scrubs" signed by ER star George Clooney, to a suit that belonged to bluegrass music pioneer Bill Monroe and a warm-up suit from Olympic swimming gold medalist Mary T. Meagher Plant.

Other features include Kentucky Almanac, an interactive multimedia kiosk, and National Events Reflected in Kentucky--a re-creation of an African American church--which is devoted to the civil rights era of the 1950s and 1960s.

Related content:

Hours and Admission

Plan a Field Trip

"A Kentucky Journey" Teacher's Guide

Calendar of Events