Browse Museums

Ark Encounter
WILLIAMSTOWN, Kentucky

Church, Culture, History, Library, Nature Centers, Park, Specialized

Ark Encounter features a full-size Noah’s Ark, built according to the dimensions given in the Bible. Spanning 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high, this modern engineering marvel amazes visitors young and old.

Cynthiana-Harrison County Museum
Cynthiana, Kentucky

Culture, History, Historic House, Military

Variety of artifacts that make a statement as to the life of the local community.

Georgetown & Scott County Museum
Georgetown, Kentucky

Art, Culture, General, History, Historical Society, Library, Specialized

The area that comprises Georgetown and all of Scott County was primarily Indian hunting grounds prior to settlement. This was changed by the French and Indian war of 1754 -1763, and the defeat of Pontiac’s uprising in 1763-1764. These events led to a treaty in 1768 that gave England extensive rights to lands in the west. A short time later in 1774 John Floyd traveled down the Ohio river as a deputy surveyor of Colonel William Preston. Because of the 1768 treaty and the events that lead to the treaty, present day Kentucky was then a portion Fincastle County, Virginia and was to be surveyed by order of the King. It was on this surveying expedition that Floyd discovered the Big spring or Royal Spring. Floyd surveyed a thousand acres about the spring, and left soon after.

Kentucky Museum
Bowling Green, Kentucky

Art, Culture, General, History, Historic House, Library, Military, Specialized, University

Since 1939 we have been collecting the objects and papers that describe our state and our world from the perspective of Kentuckians and others. These materials, together with our exhibits, give glimpses into the extraordinary nature of daily life. Through their own words, Kentuckians tell their stories of President Abraham Lincoln, the liberation of a Nazi concentration camp, the swamps of Viet Nam, and slavery. See Kentucky through its postcards, sheet music and photographs. Discover folk customs and school traditions. Explore life in Kentucky during the Civil War and learn about a national food icon from Kentucky in our exhibit galleries.

Lewisport Agriculture Museum
Lewisport, Kentucky

Culture

The Lincoln Museum
Hodgenville, Kentucky

Culture, History, Historic House, Library

The Lincoln Museum in Hodgenville is Kentucky's official Lincoln Museum. The Lincoln Museum's exhibits are historically accurate dioramas depicting scenes from the life of Abraham Lincoln. In addition to the main exhibits, the second level of the museum features a variety of exhibits, including: rare newspaper clippings, campaign posters and Lincoln memorabilia. A Lincoln art gallery on the second floor is filled with paintings, drawings and other artworks related to the Lincoln era.

The Ludlow Heritage Society
Ludlow, Kentucky

Culture, General, History, Historical Society, Library

A small community museum that explains the development of Ludlow from a scenic riverside estate of 1,000 acres to a thriving railroad town to the Cincinnati suburb it is today. The influx of Irish and German immigrants influenced much of its growth. Besides numerous displays and photographs, a genealogy/local history room is also available.

The Speed Art Museum
Louisville, Kentucky

Art, Children's, Culture, History, Library

Since completing a major $12 million renovation and expansion in 1997, the Speed has brought major exhibitions of photography, painting, design, and sculpture to the region to help fulfill its ambitious mission: bringing great art and people together.

Behringer-Crawford Museum
Covington, Kentucky

Archaeology, Children's, Culture, General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Library, Natural History

Behringer-Crawford Museum in the historic Devou family home (c. 1848 - 1880) opened to the public in 1950. It was so named because it featured the natural history collections of West Covington native and world traveler, William Behringer, and in honor of the museum’s first curator and noted archeologist, Ellis Crawford.

Duncan Cultural Center Museum and Art Gallery
Greenville, Kentucky

Art, Culture, History

The Duncan Center provides history of people, places and events including genealogical resources. In additon to permanent exhibits like our coal room and Victorian and Native American exhibit, we also have rotating monthly exhibits of art or special collections. The museum offers art classes and is available to rent for parties, showers and meetings.

Headley-Whitney Museum
Lexington, Kentucky

Art, Culture, Specialized

The Headley-Whitney Museum is a decorative arts museum with a collection of jewelry and bibelots created by founder George Headley along with objects from his collections. The Museum also displays a variety of changing exhibits.

Laurel County History Museum & Genealogy Center, Inc.
London, Kentucky

Culture, History, Historic House, Library

Laurel County History Museum & Genealogy Center is dedicated to historic preservation and history education of Laurel County through research, education and exhibits; promoting and inspiring our youth to continue this project long after those of us that have started it are gone.

Riverview at Hobson Grove
Bowling Green, Kentucky

Culture, General, History, Historic House

Riverview, like all old houses, has stories to tell. Construction on the house started in the 1850s', but was halted due to the outbreak of the Civil War. During the conflict, the incomplete house was used as a munitions magazine during the winter of 1861-1862, when Bowling Green was the Confederate capital of Kentucky.

The Ludlow Heritage Museum
Ludlow, Kentucky

Culture, General, History, Historical Society, Library

=A small community museum that explains the development of Ludlow from a scenic riverside estate of 1,000 acres to a thriving railroad town to the Cincinnati suburb it is today. The influx of Irish and German immigrants influenced much of its growth. Besides numerous displays and photographs, a genealogy/local history room is also available.

The National Quilt Museum
Paducah, Kentucky

Art, Culture, General, Library, Specialized

The National Quilt Museum is devoted to contemporary quilts and fiber art. Established in 1991, the museum is committed to the preservation and advancement of quilting. In an average year, quilters and art enthusiasts visit from all 50 states and over 40 countries around the world. Located in a 27,000 square foot facility in historic downtown Paducah, Kentucky, the museum’s three galleries feature exhibits of the finest quilt and fiber art in the world. The museum’s vibrant and breathtaking exhibits are rotated 10-12 times per year. Our primary gallery, with over 7,000 square feet of exhibit space, features quilts from the museum’s collection which includes over 600 works of art. Our two other galleries feature touring exhibits of unique and diverse quilts and fiber art.

Van Lear Historical Society, Inc. / The Coal Miners' Museum
Van Lear, Kentucky

Culture, General, History, Historical Society, Library

Our society maintains a large collection of mining and community artifacts. We are constantly adding more to our exhibits, so even if you were to come to our museum year after year, you should still see something new.

Also, we hold the Annual Van Lear Town Celebration, during the first Friday / Saturday weekend in August. This is a time for all of Van Lear's citizens and former citizens to celebrate our heritage. The Annual Celebration usually includes: a car show, free music shows, a parade, concessions, special exhibits and more.' Museum.History='The Van Lear Historical Society, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Oregon Museum Association 2024 Conference

September 8, 2024 - September 10, 2025

North Bend, Oregon

2025 California Association of Museums Conference

February 18 - 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

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