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Historical Marker Program

Since 1949, the Kentucky Historical Society has partnered with community members to install more than 2,400 historical markers across the Commonwealth that share the state's complex and remarkable history.

This collaborative process has evolved through the decades, but its fundamental goal has remained the same: to educate Kentuckians about important historical topics near the meaningful sites connected to them.

Search the Current Historical Marker Database

Explore Marker Stories & Tours

Did you know that each historical marker is only the beginning of a much longer story? Download our app, Explore Kentucky History, to find the locations of historical markers across the Commonwealth and enjoy additional history resources right from your smartphone. Download now from from the Google Play or Apple App Store. Or, from your Internet browser, access this same content at https://explorekyhistory.ky.gov.

For a demonstration of how the app works, click here.

Nominate a Topic for a Historical Marker

Those interested in nominating a topic for the Historical Marker Program must first submit a letter of interest via email to Dr. Jim Seaver, KHS Community Engagement Coordinator, at james.seaver@ky.gov

Letters of interest must be received by February 15 for applications to be considered in the next program cycle. Letters of interest should include the interested parties’ contact information, a summary of the proposed topic, and the county location of the proposed marker. Letters of interest received after February 15 will be considered for the following year’s cycle.

KHS will invite the individual or organization to complete a formal nomination form if the proposed topic fits the parameters of the program. KHS staff are available throughout the process for nomination guidance and technical assistance.

If you or your organization are considering nominating a topic for a historical marker, we encourage you to thoroughly familiarize yourself with the recently updated program guidelines. Guidelines can be found on the Nominate a Topic for a Historical Marker page.

 

Watch a virtual workshop on submitting a proposal.

Report a Damaged or Missing Marker

To report a damaged or missing historical marker, please use the search tool to navigate to the dedicated page of the marker you want to report, then select "Report an Issue" at the top.

Alternatively, you can report a damaged or missing marker to Dr. Jim Seaver, the KHS Historical Marker Program coordinator, at james.seaver@ky.gov or (502) 782-8115.

Please include the marker title, the marker number (if known), the marker's location (county and/or town), and a description of the cause and/or specific nature of the damage.

Photographs are not required, but they can be extremely helpful to us if you wish to provide them when submitting a damage report by email. 

Contact Us

For additional questions or concerns, please contact Dr. Jim Seaver, KHS Community Engagement Coordinator, at james.seaver@ky.gov or (502) 782-8115.