KAS Connections and Other Educator Resources
Learn about Kentucky’s history in the classroom.
Kentucky Academic Standards for Social Studies Connections
A new set of Kentucky Academic Standards for Social Studies passed in July 2019. The Kentucky Historical Society is creating tools to help aid K-12 educators in the teaching of these new standards, especially those specifically focused on Kentucky. Below are resource guides for grades K-12 featuring digitized primary sources (with transcriptions as needed) that relate to the Kentucky standards. These resource guides are currently being updated based on teacher feedback and will debut during the 2020-21 school year. (All files open as PDFs)
Kindergarten
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 8
High School: Civics
High School: Economics
High School: Geography
High School: United States History
High School: World History
For questions about the new KAS for Social Studies, please email Claire E. Gwaltney or call 502-782-8059.
Educator Packets
Object Observation & Analysis: A Surveyor’s Essentials, 1700s
Analyzing a Photograph: The Assassination of Gov. William Goebel, 1900
Analyzing a Photograph: The Last Legislative Session at the Old State Capitol, 1908
Analyzing a Portrait: The Story of Julius Richner, Franklin County, KY Bugler, 1916
Primary Sources and More
Access digital collections to find artifacts, documents and images. Or, check out the KHS Pinterest page to find primary and secondary sources along with discussion prompts. For more in-depth information search in The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society (accessible via JSTOR).
Explore KY History
Use the Explore KY History website and app to explore historic places throughout the state. This resource features short articles based on Kentucky’s historical markers along with modern and historic images and artifacts. Perfect for people looking for a quick introduction to local Kentucky history!
Civil War Governors of Kentucky
Many people interacted with the Kentucky governor’s office during the Civil War – this database holds their stories. Access thousands of primary sources that help illuminate the lives of everyday Kentuckians during these tumultuous times.
Made by Us
Made By Us brings history to younger generations in innovative and meaningful ways, so they have more fuel to power the future. How? A broad coalition of history and civics institutions have joined forces to develop new tools and experiences that better meet the needs of our audience in timely and relevant ways.
Online Exhibits
Kentucky Military History Treasures artifacts on display at the Kentucky Military History Museum. (requires Flash player)
Beyond the Log Cabin: Kentucky’s Abraham Lincoln examine the life of Lincoln through images and artifacts relating to his Kentucky connections. (requires Flash player)
Torn Within and Threatened Without an interactive Civil War exhibit on display at the Kentucky History Center.
Our New Kentucky Home an online exhibit featuring stories of Kentucky Immigration history. (requires Flash player)