Kentucky Junior Historical Society

The Kentucky Junior Historical Society (KJHS) is an outreach program of the Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) that encourages the youth of Kentucky to appreciate and understand the people, places and events that have given Kentucky its own unique place in history. Since 1961, KJHS has operated through a network of chapters, which are generally organized at the school level and led by a teacher.

THANK YOU for supporting KJHS on April 24, 2013, the first KY Gives Day!

Kentucky Gives Day was a 24-hour online giving event on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 that brought nonprofits and Kentuckians from across the Commonwealth together for a powerful day of action.
Kentucky history lovers from across the state (and nation!) raised $3,405 for the Kentucky Junior Historical Society. KJHS transforms students ( like Emma) into tomorrow's leaders by cultivating critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity skills!


About KJHS

Each KJHS chapter is given the flexibility to pursue projects and activities that interest its members. The KJHS state office offers several events throughout the year in addition to those planned by sponsors. In the fall, regional rallies are held at several historic sites across the state, bringing together members from area chapters for a day-long experience including games, presentations and tours. The culminating event of the year is the the Kentucky Junior Historical Society Conference, held in the spring in Louisville.

KJHS membership is open to any Kentucky student, grades K-12. While most members are part of a chapter, students may also join as individuals if there is no chapter in their area. Individual membership dues are $5 per student per year.

A chapter may be formed with an adult sponsor and at least three members. Most chapters are organized at the school level and led by a teacher, although sometimes several schools in a county combine to form a single chapter. One need not be a teacher in the public or private schools to sponsor a KJHS chapter. Homeschool teachers, Boy and Girl Scout troop leaders, 4-H leaders, local historical society members or interested citizens also make excellent KJHS sponsors.

In addition to these events, membership benefits include:

Access to the Timeline, a newsletter for KJHS members.

View the
2012 Winter Timeline
2011 Fall Timeline
2011 Summer Timeline
2011 Winter Timeline
2010 Fall KJHS Timeline
2010 Summer Timeline
2010 Winter Timeline
2009 Fall KJHS Timeline.

A membership card that entitles the member to free admission to the KHS history campus and free or reduced admission to many museums and historic sites around the state. View a complete list of Participating sites.

Sponsors receive a free one-year KHS membership.

The Club Enrollment forms, District Registration form and the KJHS Handbook for Sponsors can be found here.

Kentucky Junior Historical Society Conference

A two-day event, the Kentucky Junior Historical Society Conference combines the KJHS convention and Kentucky History Day state contest. It includes, among other things, a quick recall tournament, activities, workshops and a Friday night event.


2013 Kentucky History Day district contests:

District 1 & 2, Kentucky Wesleyan College, Owensboro, March 23, 2013
Results: District 1 and 2



District 3, duPont Manual High School, Louisville, March 9, 2013
Results: District 3



District 4, No contest location, compete at District 2 or 3 contest


District 5, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, March 16, 2013
Results: District 5



District 6, Northern Kentucky University, Covington, March 2, 2013
Results: District 6




District 7, No contest this year


District 8, Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, Cumberland, March 29, 2013
Results: District 8



KJHS Conference and State History Day Contest, University of Louisville, April 26-27, 2013.
2013 KJHS Conference and Kentucky History Day Winners

For more information about KJHS, contact Cheryl Caskey at 502-564-1792, ext. 4461, or cheryl.caskey@ky.gov.