Kentucky Celebrates 234th Birthday with a Full Day of History, Music, and Culture
Kentucky Celebrates 234th Birthday with a Full Day of History, Music, and Culture
Kentucky History Day Presented by WesBanco Returns to Frankfort on June 6 with Free Events Across Multiple Historic Sites
FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 1, 2026) — The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) invites Kentuckians and visitors to celebrate the Commonwealth’s 234th birthday at Kentucky History Day, presented by WesBanco, a free, family-friendly event on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. across several of Frankfort’s most storied landmarks. With the nation’s 250th anniversary on the horizon, this celebration spotlights Kentucky’s pivotal role in the American story through live music, cultural performances, hands-on history and more.
“Kentucky History Day is a celebration of who we are—our music, our stories, our people and the traditions that connect us across generations. As we look toward America’s 250th, we invite everyone to come discover the remarkable role Kentucky has played in shaping this nation,” said Scott Alvey, Executive Director, Kentucky Historical Society.
Old State Capitol Grounds
The Old State Capitol Grounds serve as the heart of the celebration with two stages of continuous programming. Acts include the 202nd Army Band of the Kentucky Army National Guard, the Louisville Dulcimer Society, YAPA (Latin Bluegrass), Aseye (West African Drums), The Price Sisters (old-time music), McTeggart Irish Dancers, Sons of the American Revolution Fife and Drum and Chautauqua performances of Daniel Boone and Jean Ritchie. Artisan booths, kids’ activities, historical skills/reenactor booths and exhibits from Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet agencies round out the grounds experience. Along Broadway Street, explore local history organizations, a WWII/Vietnam War military convoy and tank, food vendors and more.
Kentucky History Center
The Kentucky History Awards Breakfast opens the day at 9 a.m. Guests can explore Kentucky’s 12,000-year story, attend curator talks on the new exhibit, “Revolution to Statehood: Kentucky’s Founding from History and Memory,” watch a mini-screening and discussion of The American Revolution with KET, sit for a 19th-century tintype portrait with River City Tintype and join a Genealogy Workshop in the Martin F. Schmidt Research Library. Registration and fees may apply for select activities.
Kentucky Military History Museum & Downtown Walking Tour
The Kentucky Military History Museum hosts historical weapon demonstrations and Civil War cannon firings at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., plus a presentation on navigating military records. From 4–5:30 p.m., join the “Frankfort History on a Stick” Marker Walking Tour through downtown Frankfort, home to the fourth-highest concentration of roadside historical markers in the Commonwealth.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, June 6
Time: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Multiple venues in historic downtown Frankfort, Kentucky
Admission: Free and open to the public (registration and fees may apply for select activities)
More Information: history.ky.gov
About the Kentucky Historical Society
The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) campus has three sites in historic downtown Frankfort: the Old State Capitol; the Kentucky Military History Museum; and the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, which serves as KHS headquarters and includes a signature museum, library & research center, object & archival collections, museum store, and more. KHS is an agency within Kentucky’s Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, a Smithsonian Affiliate, and holds full accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums.
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