Museums Kentucky
Library

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.

Garrard County Historical Society
Lancaster, Kentucky

History, Historic House, Historical Society, Library

Our Research Room is staffed by volunteers. If you're visiting from out of town, an e-mail is advised to make sure someone is available to help you.

Hiestand House - Taylor County Museum
Campbellsville, Kentucky

History, Historic House, Library

Built originally in 1823; restored 1992.

Jackson Purchase Historical Society
Murray, Kentucky

History, Historical Society, Library, University

Regional historical society that encompasses Southwest Kentucky and Northwest Tennessee.

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.

McCreary County Museum
Stearns, Kentucky

General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Library

Located in the heart of historic downtown Stearns, KY the McCreary County Museum is housed in the old Stearns Coal and Lumber Company Corporate headquarters that was built in 1907. The Museum was founded in 1988 and we invite everyone to come and explore two floors of local history.

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.

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.

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.

Historic RailPark & Train Museum
Bowling Green, Kentucky

History, Historic House, Library, Park, Specialized

Step back in time to the golden era of railroad passenger service as a Tour Guide takes you behind the scenes of a Railway Post Office Car, Dining Car, Sleeper Car and Office Car, with special occasion options to see the interior of a diesel locomotive, a rare WWII Unit Hospital car, a Caboose and a soon to arrive rare 3-section Segregation rail car.

Kentucky Historical Society
Frankfort, Kentucky

History, Library, Military

Founded in 1836, The Kentucky Historical Society serves to collect and preserve the artifacts, papers and other documentation of Kentucky's history. Its history campus is located in Frankfort, Ky. and includes the Society's headquarters, the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, and the Old State Capitol and Kentucky Military History Museum. The Kentucky Historical Society offers educational programs, genealogical research and a wide variety of special events. KHS constantly strives to let all Kentuckians and visitors to Kentucky know about our state's rich, vital and engaging history.

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.

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.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

2024 Colorado-Wyoming ANNUAL MEETING

May 1 - 4, 2024

Worland, Wyoming

2024 Colorado-Wyoming ANNUAL MEETING

Wednesday, May 1 - Saturday, May 4, 2024

TBA

Worland, Wyoming

Hosted by: Colorado-Wyoming Association of Museums

THE 2024 CWAM ANNUAL MEETING WILL BE HELD FROM MAY 1 THROUGH MAY 4 IN WORLAND, WYOMING

Worland may be a small town, but it is full of opportunities for big experiences! We hope you will join us for our 2024 Annual Meeting: Small Places, Big Ideas

Whether you are a business small or big, or you are a long-time or first-time supporter of CWAM, our community of museum professionals is waiting to hear about your products or services, or see your name sponsoring their favorite event.

Ohio Museums Association 2024 Conference with AMM

July 24 - August 3, 2024

Columbus, Ohio

Ohio Museums Association 2024 Conference with AMM

Wednesday, July 24 - Saturday, August 3, 2024

Hilton Columbus at Easton

Columbus, Ohio

Hosted by: Ohio Museums Association

We’ll kick off the event with a virtual day on Wednesday, July 24, hosted in collaboration with the Association of Midwest Museums (AMM). Then, we’ll gather in-person at the Hilton Columbus at Easton from July 31-August 3 for sessions, networking, and museum exploration. See the conference listing for Association of Midwest Museums for more deetails.

South Carolina Federation of Museums 2024 Conference

September 16 - 18, 2024

Laurens, South Carolina

South Carolina Federation of Museums 2024 Conference

Monday, September 16 - Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Laurens County Museum

Laurens, South Carolina

Hosted by: South Carolina Federation of Museums

The SCFM Annual Conference is a time where we can celebrate the impact that museums have made on the state of South Carolina. It’s a time where we can share our successes, learn from our challenges, and grow as museum professionals.

We look forward to this year's conference September 16-18, 2024 in Laurens, SC. This year's theme is Fostering Community: There is No Museum Without "Us."

For more information, please call !!! or email scfm@scmuseums.org ;.

Museums Alaska: 2024 Conference

September 25 - 28, 2024

Fairbanks, Alaska

Museums Alaska: 2024 Conference

Wednesday, September 25 - Saturday, September 28, 2024

Wedgewood Resort

Fairbanks, Alaska

Hosted by: Museums Alaska

Theme: Building Communit

Forge connections with peers, share successes, and tackle challenges together. This biennial event leaves museum professionals feeling inspired

Gain insights, strategies, and practical wisdom for elevating your museum or cultural center's influence

Participate in hands-on workshops designed to turn inspiration into actionable strategies. Leave with the tools you need to grow, learn, and make a difference.

Florida Association of Museums 2024 Annual Conference & Exposition

October 13 - 16, 2024

Daytona Beach, Florida

Florida Association of Museums 2024 Annual Conference & Exposition

Sunday, October 13 - Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach, Florida

Hosted by: Florida Association of Museums

FAM 2024 Annual Conference & Exposition will be held

October 13 – 16 in Daytona Beach!!

Please hold these dates. Watch our FAM website for more conference details.

view all conferences
RECENT UPDATES

Museums

12/20 Tampa Museum of Art

Tampa, Florida

Museum Vendors

10/30 Museum Fabrication Group, LLC

Denton, Texas

03/07 ConservArt Inc.

Boca Raton, Florida

Museum Associations

03/07 Museums Alaska

Anchorage, Alaska

03/07 American Association for State and Local History

Nashville, Tennessee