Exhibits 2010

2010 Exhibits at the Oldham County History Center

Primary Docs: The Museum Collection through March 15, 2010

The Oldham County History Center celebrates Kentucky Archives Month with its new exhibit “Primary Docs: The Museum Collection”. The exhibit features unique documents, letters and artifacts of Oldham County, many of which have never been on display. Items include original land deeds signed by Patrick Henry as well as a hand copy of a deed from the 1700s with Thomas Jefferson’s signature. There is a section on deeds and early court records, sheriff summons, and bounty contracts for runaway slaves.

From the River’s Edge: The Primitive Artwork of Breck Morgan, March 27 Through August 1, 2010

The jacket cover for Oldham County: Stories from the River’s Edge features scenes created by Breck Morgan. An Oldham County native with ancestoral roots in the county, Breck enjoys creating pieces that depict scenes of Oldham County in its early history. The scene from the book shows Westport in early years, with the courthouse and taverns, steamboat and Eighteen Mile Island. Breck’s favorite time period is 1840 although he admits that the scenes he creates are not based on total “accuracy” of county history but include fanciful additions, with structures and buildings of more recent times depicted in the scenes.

From the River’s Edge: Multimedia Art Contest, April 15, through August 1, 2010

Art pieces submitted by local participants follow the theme of the new history center book: Oldham County: Stories from the River’s Edge, to include various perspectives of the Ohio River through the lens of art. Media submittals include photographs, water and oil paintings, charcoal and ink sketches, and sculpture. The Ohio River has many meanings as a passage of culture and history that include Native Americans, pioneers, the underground railroad, recreation, natural history, commerce and as a resource for human consumption and pollution. The artwork is original and personally created by the entrant who range in age from 5 through adult. Cash prizes are awarded.

Home Guards and Militias: The Competitive Drills at the Southern Exposition in 1884, Sept. 1 through December 31

The Oldham County History Center houses the David Weller Collection. Weller was a Confederate soldier and after the war helped to protect Kentucky through serving in the voluntary state guard. Weller and his friend, John Leathers, helped to organize a national competitive drill for state militias at the Southern Exposition in Louisville. This exhibit focuses on state militias but has additional information on the Southern Exposition which was one of the largest commerce initiatives in the United States during the 19th Century. The Exposition occupied 15 acres, under roof, in the area of Central Park and St. James Ct. in Louisville from 1883-1887.