The Kentucky Department of Parks on Thursday announced it has completed preservation and improvement projects at eight state park historic sites across the Commonwealth using $75,000 in grant funding through the America250KY initiative.
“These efforts have allowed our state historic sites and parks to preserve and restore the places where Kentucky’s story was made,” said Kentucky State Parks Commissioner Mark Kellen. “Thanks to these completed projects, more visitors will get to learn about our parks and the important history behind them.”
The completed projects which help preserve and enhance the visitor experience at sites across the Commonwealth include:
• Big Bone Lick State Historic Site: Replica megafauna bones, including mastodon and mammoth remains, were purchased to enhance hands-on educational programming and provide visitors with a connection to Kentucky’s prehistoric past.
• Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park: New shelving and archival supplies were purchased to protect and preserve historical artifacts. A smartboard was secured to enhance educational efforts, enabling the use of videos and presentations.
• Thomas Walker State Historic Site: The expansion of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) through the purchase of bows, arrows, targets and racks will allow more children to participate. Additionally, kayaks and life jackets were also purchased to increase access to guided trips along the Cumberland River.
• Fort Boonesborough State Park: Artifacts from the original Fort Boonesborough site underwent conservation assessment and treatment.
• Isaac Shelby Cemetery State Historic Site: Using specialized conservation supplies, the gravestone-cleaning project allowed staff to clean gravestones and prevent further deterioration.
• John James Audubon State Park: New cabinetry was installed to ensure safe artifact storage, conserve historic clothing and improve the preservation of sensitive collections. Trail cameras were installed to monitor wildlife activity, and a new interpretive sign was created to educate visitors about the park’s nature preserve.
• Old Mulkey Meetinghouse State Historic Site: New shelving, lighting and display case materials were installed to showcase historic items such as a saddlebag, horn spoon, clay pipe and eyeglasses.
• Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site: Outdated storage boxes were replaced with 500 archival boxes, and archival plastic bags replaced paper field bags, improving the protection of archaeological collections.
The grants, administered by the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Sestercentennial Commission, ensure Kentucky’s diverse history is recognized and preserved for future generations.
The Kentucky Sestercentennial Commission was established to plan and implement events leading up to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. For more information on America250KY and the America250KY grant program and eligibility criteria, visit history.ky.gov/america250ky.
Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet