The history of Kentucky is full of fascinating dates,
events, and sites. Kentucky history books are loaded with
information that details the lives of early explorers,
the events of the Civil War, and how the state became
admitted to the Union back in 1792. A trip to Louisville,
Lexington, and other cities
in Kentucky will reveal a number of attractions
that will help any visitor better understand Kentucky
state history.
The history of Kentucky can be experienced first hand with a trip to Bardstown. You can learn facts about Kentucky and the Civil War at the Civil War Museum. Uniforms of soldiers, battle flags, and other memorabilia provide a look into the history of Kentucky. While you can certainly learn facts about Kentucky in any textbook, the history doesn’t come to life until you view real life journals from soldiers who fought on the battle grounds.
A trip to Frankfort Kentucky
will also reveal some historical facts about Kentucky.
Visit the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky history
to learn details about Kentucky history, such as why the
state is referred to as “The Bluegrass State.”
There is a genealogical center at the museum that allows
visitors access to official Kentucky history state documents.
If you have any ancestors that were involved with the
Civil War, you may be able to find out about them here.
Another fascinating aspect of Kentucky state history that you may want to explore is bourbon making. People have been making this popular alcoholic drink in Kentucky for 200 years. Taking Kentucky tours of bourbon distilleries is a great way to learn about Kentucky state history and its bourbon making history with the help of an experience tour guide or bourbon historian. If you would like to taste bourbon and compare the different flavors, there are several Kentucky festivals that are geared around bourbon tasting.
Besides being rich in the history having to do with civilization, the state of Kentucky is full of geologic history. Mammoth Cave is the world's largest cave system and is located in Kentucky. Visitors to this natural geologic wonder can take a hike inside the cave with tour guides and learn how the caves were formed. They will also learn other facts about Kentucky, such as why the cave was once a good hiding spot for bank robbers and other outlaws.
The Kentucky Derby
is an event that takes place each May at the Churchill
Downs race track in Louisville and is known as a paramount
event in the history of Kentucky. Every year, three year
old thoroughbred race horses compete in a two minute race
that will determine their stardom. The Kentucky
Derby Museum features several informative exhibits
and behind the scenes tours that will highlight the history
of horse racing in Kentucky.
