Kentucky History Day
Title: Kentucky History Day
Start: June 6, 2026, 9:00 am EDT
End: June 6, 2026, 5:00 pm EDT
Address: 300 W Broadway St . Frankfort, KY 40601
Cost: FREE
Celebrate the Commonwealth in style as Kentucky turns 234! Join us for a full day of music, living history, performances, and hands-on experiences that showcase the people, traditions, and stories that make Kentucky truly one of a kind. As we look ahead to the nation’s 250th anniversary, this special event highlights Kentucky’s role in America’s story—bringing together tourism, arts, heritage, and history in one unforgettable celebration. Come explore, learn, and experience the rich cultural blend that defines the Bluegrass State. See the full lineup below.
PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
OLD STATE CAPITOL GROUNDS
10:00 am–5:00 pm - Enjoy demonstrations, kids’ activities, interpreters, artisans, and booths that highlight the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet.
Tour the Old State Capitol (1830-1910) and see the space where lively political debates occurred as lawmakers grappled with issues of the day such as slavery and war. Today, it is undergoing needed preservation work in order to be a place of civic education for the future generations.
Broadway Stage
9:50 am - Opening remarks
10:00 am-10:45 am - Brass Band: 202nd Army Band of the Kentucky Army National Guard
11:15 am-12:00 pm - Louisville Dulcimer Society
12:30 pm-1:30 pm - YAPA, Latin Bluegrass
2:00 pm-3:00 pm - Aseye, West African Drums
3:30 pm-4:30 pm - The Price Sisters, Old Time Music
5:00 pm - Closing remarks
Old State Capitol Stage
10:45 am-11:15 am - American Indian Flute Performance
12:00 pm-12:30 pm - Chautauqua Performance of Daniel Boone
1:30 pm-2:00 pm - McTeggart Irish Dancers
3:00 pm-3:30 pm - Chautauqua Performance of Jean Ritchie
4:30 pm-5:00 pm - Sons of the American Revolution Fife and Drum
KENTUCKY HISTORY CENTER
10:00 am – 5:00 pm - From bourbon to baseball bats, horse racing to sports cars, Kentucky’s impact is wide. Take a 12,000-year “journey” with us from prehistoric times to the modern day and learn how Kentucky became part of the U.S. consciousness.
Keeneland Gallery
11:00 am - 3:30 pm - 250 Guided Curator Talks
Our brand new exhibit - Revolution to Statehood: Kentucky's Founding from History and Memory: This exhibit explores how historical accounts, imagery, and objects are shaped by memory and perspective rather than just facts. Kentucky's early history involves themes of displacement, revolution, and state-building. While complex narratives may be harder to remember, stories of heroes, villains, and symbols are more accessible but offer a less complete picture of the past.
Brown Forman Room
9:00 am – 11:00 am - KY History Awards Breakfast
Time TBD - KET Screening of The American Revolution
Cralle Day Garden
10:00 am – 5:00 pm - Tintype Photos - REGISTER HERE!
Experience the magic of historical photography with River City Tintype! Rudy Salgado of River City Tintype will bring his mobile darkroom and antique photo equipment to make original tintype portraits on metal. Based in Louisville, Rudy uses a 19th-century photographic process to make heirloom forever portraits. Book a session with Rudy to see yourself in silver.
Martin F. Schmidt Research Library
2:30 pm - 3:00 pm - Genealogy Workshop: Using Library Resources
A 30-minute presentation/tour about the Martin F. Schmidt Research Library and some of the genealogy resources that are available. There will also be talk of how using these resources can help you with your family research.
REGISTER HERE FOR GENEALOGY WORKSHOP
KENTUCKY MILITARY HISTORY MUSEUM
10:00 am – 5:00 pm - The State Arsenal for more than 100 years and a Civil War-era munitions factory, this Gothic Revival style building houses the exhibits Kentucky Military Treasures and George M. Chinn: Sights Set on Innovation .
State Arsenal Grounds
10:30 am - 11:00 am - Service to Stories: Navigating Military Records
A 30-minute presentation on the pros and cons of the website, what type of records to expect to find, and limitations based on privacy standards. There will be time for questions at the end. REGISTER HERE.
11:30 am - Historical Weapons Demonstration and Cannon Firings
3:00 pm - Civil War Cannon Demonstration
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm - Frankfort History On A Stick: Marker Walking Tour
Did you know that Franklin County has the fourth-highest concentration of roadside historical markers in the entire Commonwealth? Please join us for a walking tour of some of our favorite historical markers and associated sites conveniently located around downtown Frankfort. In addition to these stories, we’ll share some fun facts about the history of the KHS Historical Marker Program through the years!
Our 90-minute tour will start at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History (100 W. Broadway) loop west through downtown Frankfort, and conclude back up East Main Street at the Kentucky Military History Museum (125 E. Main St.). We encourage you to wear good walking shoes and dress for the weather!
10:00 am – 5:00 pm - Visit local history organizations, photo opportunities, historic vehicles, food vendors, and more on Broadway Street.
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A special thanks to our partners at the Department of Parks, Kentucky Heritage Council, Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Kentucky Arts Council, the Kentucky Humanities Council, Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s KY Proud Program, Kentucky Department of Library and Archives and many more.
Interested in volunteering for this event? Click here!