Museum News
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May 30, 2023
Hart County Historical Society is accepting registrations for basketry classes taught by basketry expert Beth Hester. The Society is the recipient of a grant from the Kentucky Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts to sponsor a series of classes in basket making that will feature traditional techniques distinctive to this area. Beginning in the 1790’s, some of the earliest European settlers migrated into the what is now the Hart County area bringing with them basket-making skills. Most of these settlers came from the British Isles; a few from Germany. Lacking the materials from their native country, they adapted their techniques to the locally available white oak tree. Thus, Hart County’s white oak basket tradition was born. Today, local basket makers still use those original techniques to create baskets that are distinctive to this area. These classes will reflect those traditions. Classes will begin at 9:00 A.M., CDT and run until 2:30 on Monday, June 19, Wednesday, June 21, and Thursday, June 22. The next week, classes will be at the same times on Tuesday, June 27, Wednesday, June 28, and Thursday, June 29. Classes will be held at Hart County Public Library and will provide a light lunch daily. In this series of classes, Beth Hester will guide participants in creating a chair seat and two baskets. (More about that next week.) For photographs of these projects see our web site: hartcountymuseum.org. The Hart County Historical Society is very grateful to the Kentucky Arts Council’s Organization Relief and Disaster Recovery Grant for supporting basketry in Hart County. Classes are free to everyone. However, we are requesting a $20 deposit from each participant as a place holder, an amount to be refunded on the first day of classes. In order to give individual attention, participation will be limited to 12 persons. Registration will be complete upon receipt of your deposit. Please register as soon as possible. All previous classes have filled within a few days of being announced. After June 9, call 270-524-0101 to check for availability of classes. Registration begins May 29. Send or bring the registration deposit of $20 in an envelope to Hart County Historical Society, P O Box 606, Munfordville, KY 42765. Be sure to place your name and return address on the envelope. Inside, include your telephone number(s) and e-mail address in case of schedule changes. May 18, 2023 Travel is picking up. Munfordville and Horse Cave are good places to stop while traveling I-65 or vacationing in the area. After all, Hart County has much to see: caves, antique stores, a petting zoo, museums, fresh-grown produce, Kentucky Stonehenge, genealogy resources, Amish businesses, Civil War sites, trails, beautiful Green River, and just natural, beautiful scenes. Researchers and tourists this week were from a variety of states. Jim and Marilynn Kujowa, Michigan, stopped to see our exhibits. They said that Jorene McCubbins was a very friendly host and informative. Margo Zamora and guests were from Texas. Trevor Johnson and wife, Minnesota headed a large group of visitors. An Illinois couple and another Michigan couple also visited, as did Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Palmer, North Carolina. Most all of these out-of-state visitors wanted information on our Civil War history and to see the exhibits. Researchers made use of our Mary Willia Branstetter Genealogy Library. Barbara Love, Kentucky, researched her illusive Riggs, Hornback, and related families. Barbara was pleased with the information we found. Jody Fifer Barr and guest, Tennessee, wanted information on Benjamin Fifer and the 89th Indiana Infantry. We were not able to help him very much. Mike Farris and Susan McNair, Tennessee, looked into the Farris, Mercer, and Stovall families. David Crain, Kentucky, wanted a map of local Civil War battles. Patricia J Andrews, Mary McCormick and group, and Kim and Walter Gomolyan, all from Kentucky, enjoyed Hart County’s Civil War history and our exhibits. Sherry Cross, a Kentucky Colonel representative, visited. She was interested in how we are organized and what some of our policies are such as accession procedures. See you next week. Carolyn Short May 11, 2023 This week has been filled with curating the Rowlett Sisters estate papers donation. We loved finding invoices from Hart County businesses and exploring how the needs of Hart County citizens are still so similar to those of years ago. Comparing the cost of services to today was eye-opening. Also, comparing the salary paid to workers during that time was revealing. Some fellows who were loading and unloading hay were paid around two to three dollars per day. That was hot, hard, dirty work. A thank you goes to Martha Rogers and the Rogers family for donating a lovely framed print of the Munfordville L & N Railroad Station. It was given in memory of Larry Rogers. Erin Smith, Utah, came for genealogy research. Stephen S. Reed, Kentucky, researched the Wood family. Barry and Joan Howard were looking onto the Dye, Bright, and Howard families. A Georgia couple visited the Museum for Civil War history and exhibits. Wilma Gribble and guest, Kentucky, also were interested in museum exhibits. Cindy Truitt and guest, Texas, need a break from driving and then really got into our history. Susan Lafferty visited for a few minutes as did Bobby -?-. See you next week. Carolyn Short May 4, 2023 A call for help Bonnieville people! A fellow called the Historical society who has purchased a camper made at Bonnieville. He wants information on the factory (and so does the Historical Society) and the camper “Little Colonel.” He wants to restore it. Does anyone have a pamphlet that shows what the camper looked like when it was manufactured? Was the factory in operation during the 1960’s, closing in the early 1970’s? If you remember something or remember remnants of conversations, please call us at 270-524-0101 or come to the Museum on Main Street, Munfordville beside City Hall. The Society is thankful for the citizens who remember us before they throw away artifacts that can add to Hart County’s history. This week we received items from the Rowlett Sisters Estate from Luke England, brought in by his dad Doug. These items had traveled out of state and back again, finally making it to the Museum. After all, “Who would want these things other than the Hart County Historical Society?” (I had to laugh.) What fun to open the first twine-tied package and locate a check on National Bank of Munfordville for stock in the Munfordville Bridge Company! Attorney Charles Williams recently donated Bridge Company memorabilia, and here was an extension of the Bridge story. Going through 50 to 80 year old papers is interesting at least. Most of the papers are finance related, and sometimes I feel that I am intruding on personal information, but then the historian/curator mind-set takes over. After all, Miss Mildred Rowlett, math teacher, once stated as she was calling the roll, “Carolyn, you might not want your classmates to know this, but we are related.” Many promising packets remain to be explored. Thanks to the Englands, the Museum committee is to decide what is to be curated as we don’t need 50 of one type of item. Readers, please remember us if you have an item that might add to Hart County history. Call first if you wish. Otherwise, if we cannot use the item we will call you to pick it up if you want it returned. All we ask is that the artifact is in relatively good shape and somewhat clean - not insect infested, covered with mildew or dirt, or full of rodent fur and excrement. Together, we can save our history for generations to come. See you next week. Carolyn Short April 20, 2023 The Society has had a continuation of artifact donations this week. We are so glad that many Hart County citizens realize that we do value their historical items and want to be the home of those items. Melody Chaney and Brenda Dudderar donated items from Canmer Baptist Church – hymnals, 100th year anniversary bulletin, and a 1893 Bible thought to have been used at the dedication of the building. Carla Williams, Indiana, donated some of her father’s military and personal items. He was Carl Dempsey Williams who graduated from Horse Cave High School in 1939. She gave the diploma, flight jacket, dog tags, medals, etc. Bob and Beckie Graham visited from Michigan. They were interested in our Civil War displays and history. Mr. D. Smith, Tennessee, was also interested in exhibits and the Civil War Battlefield Preserve. A lady, whose name we did not get, came to ask about the Mills Brothers singing group. I was not here, so probably am confused about this, but we can locate no connection to a local Mills Brothers group. However, many of us remember hearing some of the 2,000 recordings of the Four Mills Brothers from Ohio who were proficient in American jazz and traditional pop beginning in the 1930’s. If you failed to make it to our April public meeting, you missed a good program. Sam Terry, historian, presented many interesting facts about the community of Bearwallow, originally Bear Wallow. He also entertained us with stories from the historical fiction BELLS OF BEAR WALLOW which is sold online. Check him out at his webpage. The Society wants to thank the Hart County Public Library for hosting the program and providing refreshments. See you next week. Carolyn Short April 13, 2023 A hearty thank you goes to Belinda Veluzat for the donation of a beautiful, antique cradle. The cradle was purchased from Hart Countian Louis G. Johnson before his death. Mr. Johnson told Ms. Veluzat that the cradle was used by his father, Louis G. Johnson Sr. when he was a baby. To show its age, Louis added that his father was a Civil War soldier. Trying to more accurately date the cradle, I did a bit of research on Louis Johnson Sr. and found he was born in 1843. So, the Society is now the owner of an one hundred eighty year old (at least) cradle that is in wonderful condition. We are so glad that people like Ms. Veluzat believe that Hart County artifacts need to stay in Hart County to help tell its history. Ms. Veluzat also donated a book of matches promoting Louis G. Johnson Jr.’s 1939 re-election campaign for Hart County Clerk on the Republican ticket. Much of my time is spent accessioning, displaying, or storing artifacts that have been given to the Society. Finally, I have Dr. Vincent Corrao’s donated papers organized and placed in a binder. They were given by Mr. Botts who purchased them from an estate sale in Glasgow, Kentucky. There is nothing earth-shattering in the papers, but they do give a glimpse into Dr. Corrao’s life and life in Munfordville in the 1930’s and 40’s. Drop in to look at some of the bills which show the cost of services at local gas stations. Thanks Mr. Botts. A few of our recent visitors are Cristy B, Kentucky; Mr. Lyle, Kentucky; Howard and Donns Waltz, Arizona; and the Crafts, Indiana. All were interested in the displays we have. Margaret Hunter came by to research Ward’s Store in Munfordville. Amanda Moblay wanted information on the Matera/Walthal House in Horse Cave. How fun to watch little ones hunt Easter eggs! We are glad the weather cooperated Saturday for the 2nd annual hunt sponsored by the Hart County Historical Society. See you next week. Carolyn Short March 30, 2023 Remember the Historical Society’s Easter Egg Hunt to be held on the courthouse lawn on April 8. It will begin at 10 AM CST. Four age categories will allow for children of all ages to have a fair shot at collecting eggs. The age categories are 0-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Find the prize egg and receive an Easter basket. On Monday morning, Jorene McCubbins entertained a South Dakota couple. They enjoyed all aspects of the Museum and wrote a very nice note of appreciation. Actually, several visitors have expresses thanks for our docents’ enthusiasm and energy. We do love to tell about Hart County history. Tours have been given to several tourists from Kentucky, as well as Wyoming, Ohio, South Dakota, Michigan, and Illinois. One couple stated that they loved Munfordville and its friendly people. Roger Grimes, Kentucky, came to research his Jeffries family. Rick and Barb Phillips researched the Phillips. Thank you to everyone who helped clean the Woodson House and Museum on Park Day. The Museum’s china has finally been returned to our 1830’s china cabinet. Fearing the whole china cabinet might need to be moved during our leak and reroofing, the china was safely stored. However, the leak wasn’t that bad. Some more cleaning and repositioning of artifacts need to be done upstairs before it can be fully reopened. See you next week. Carolyn Short March 22, 2023 Wind – air in natural motion as along the earth’s surface, a gale, or storm. This winter Society buildings and property have had several experiences with wind. From damage to the Museum roof and chimneys, to tree tops breaking and fence damage at the Woodson House, to trees and stockade down on the Rush Island Bend Road portion of the Preserve, the Society has seen its share of wind. The Museum is doing well with a new roof and two downed chimneys replaced after consultation with the National Register of Historic Places. We could, however, use your help on March 25, Park Day, to help clear debris at the Woodson House and battlefield on Rush Island Bend. Work gloves, rakes, and small tools will serve volunteers well. Remember our other events this spring. On April 8 there is an Easter Egg hunt on the courthouse lawn with baskets for those finding the prize eggs. There are four age groups. On April 18 Sam Terry, creator of Sam Terry’s Kentucky, will speak about Bear Wallow for us. Join us at the Hart County Public Library from 6 to 8 pm for this free event. Light refreshments will be served. Our annual 5K Run will be June 3. Visitors this week were Karen Daniels, Indiana, who researched her Cain and Ballard families. Connie Shank, Illinois, after several emails visited to learn about the Oldhan, Riggs, and Hornback lines. Linwood visitors needed information on Linwood and Knox’s Creek Church. Mr. Ralston, Kentucky, also visited, as did several who did not sign the register We want to encourage those of you who live in Hart County or have Hart County roots to fill out a family tree chart and send it to the Museum. Free charts can be found online, or you may drop by to pick one up. We want to expand our family files. See you next week. Carolyn Short March 9, 2023 Mother Nature does not always cooperate, as our area experienced beginning Friday afternoon, March 3, 2023. The Society lost a few trees, privacy fencing and sign at the Woodson House, and the stockade on our Rush Island Bend Road section of the Battlefield Preserve. Much work looms in our future. We still have tourists visiting daily, especially those taking a break from I-65 travels. We wish that everything was perfect for their stops, but it will take a bit of time to get all areas cleaned. Tourists have been very understanding with the situation. Amy L. Glass, Kentucky, researched her Brooks family, while others looked into their Logsdon and Hazelip lines. Meranda Caswell needs information on Caswell and Lush. She also donated three IMAGES OF AMERICA books from Hardin County and Elizabethtown. Thanks, Meranda. Jim and Nancy Bloomfield used our genealogy materials, but did not leave names of the families interested in. Belinda Veluzat and Shanna Veluzat Letner were in to see if the Museum could use a Civil War era cradle. She is supposed to bring it later in the week. Thanks for remembering the Society with this wonderful gift. (More information on it later.) Other visitors were from Minnesota, Washington, Wisconsin, and of course, several from Kentucky. See you next week. Carolyn Short February 25, 2023 This week, thank you goes out Paul Sturgeon for donating a “chunk” of residue from sand left over from the manufacture of pig iron at Aetna Furnace. The chunk is rock like, black, and glass smooth in places. Calvin Childress was instrumental in obtaining this for the museum. Geri Guerin gifted us with a sterling silver, commemorative Old Munford Hotel spoon. It appears to be something offered to tourists or possibly as a fundraiser for the building. There is no date or recognition of a maker on the spoon. Does anyone know about when or why it was made? Gary West brought a newspaper picture of the New Munfordville Inn. Thank you to everyone who remembers us with artifacts, memberships, donations, and visits. Spring is teasing often enough for tourists to begin their outings. Locals, E Key Reynolds and grandson Memphis, visited to view and discuss Civil War and Native American artifacts. It is heartwarming to see families share their interests in history. Other locals were from Bonnieville, Magnolia, and Munfordville. Owensboro, Bardstown, and Elizabethtown were the homes of other visitors. Out-of-state visitors represented North Dakota, Alabama, and Ohio. See you next week. Carolyn Short February 17, 2023 The Society’s Black History Month program on February 10 was outstanding. A large crowd came to hear Tick Rogers, Cornelius Faulkner, Coach Ricky Line, and Todd Johnston tell interesting and funny stories from their days as basketball players and coach at Hart County High School. Thanks go to all who helped put on this event: Hart County High for the use of the auditorium, Mary Mills-Turner for organizing the event, Amber Ard and Marcia Lenz for the delicious food, all the attendees who came especially the ones who asked questions, Rev. Chris Curry for the songs, Rev. Turner for the prayer, Mary Bradley for the program introduction, and the former Mills ladies for the conclusion. Plus, we are very grateful for the $500 anonymous donation made to establish a Black History section at the Historical Museum. If I missed anyone, please forgive me. It is unintentional. With spring right around the corner, plans for activities are being discussed by the Society. Park Day is scheduled for March 25, the last Saturday in March with a rain date of April 1. This day is set aside for clean-up of our grounds and the Woodson House. Our April 18 meeting, open and free to the public, will feature deep-rooted area personality and historian Sam Terry. On April 8 the Society will sponsor an Easter Egg Hunt with prizes on the courthouse lawn. Last year the hunt was a blast with the Easter Bunny and four different age groups. For the runners across the state, June 3 is our 5K which snakes through Munfordville. Mark your calendars now for these events. See you next week. Carolyn Short January 20, 2023 The Society’s January meeting featured speaker Gary Gardner, a native of Hodgenville and a descendant of several old Hart County families. Mr. Gardner began researching Kentucky crop and farming history as a challenge to find out more about the story of Sorghum. He spent many years researching the lives and creations of early Kentucky cabinetmakers and has documented the work of Thomas Lincoln. The audience enjoyed his presentation about Hart County farming in the 1850’s and the facts on tobacco growing. It was not always the large landowners who grew Hart County’s prize winning crops. The Hart County Library is so appreciated for hosting our meeting. Our Museum is so full of displays and research materials that we would have had difficulty seating 30 plus attendees. This was the largest audience we have had at a quarterly meeting since before Covid. As usual, the snacks were also enjoyed. We value those members who have paid their 2023 dues. The January Quarterly is near completion and will soon be mailed. Our cost remains at $25 for individual membership, $40 for family membership. Our visitors this week were all from Kentucky: Verl Logsdon, Abigail Mosley, Brittany Smith, Civil War Round Table member, and Horace H. Thompson among others. Henry Williams, Kentucky, came to get information on Custer Gardner, the last man hanged in Hart County. Billy Craddock, Kentucky, wanted information on Manson Wells who lived near Horse Cave in the 1950’s on 31-W near but across the road from where Caverna Hospital is now. Call us at 270-524-0101 if you have memories of Mr. Wells and his ‘Museum.’ The Society will celebrate Black History Month in February again this year. Mark your calendars to join us at Hart County High School Auditorium on February 10 at 6:00 PM. Tick Rogers will be the featured guest, along with others from Tick’s time playing basketball here at the high school. The event is free of charge and all are welcome. See you next week. Carolyn Short January 19, 2023 Have you renewed your membership for hart County Historical Society? It is about time to mail the January Quarterly, and we need to get yours in our bulk mailing which saves us much money compared to mailing individually. We think you will enjoy the stories included in the January Quarterly. I have proofed them and know. The Society values our members greatly and hope we have carried out our responsibilities to your satisfaction. Besides operating the Museum and Mary Willia Branstetter Genealogy Library (which also contains local history files and books) and publishing the quarterly, we oversee the Woodson House and Rush Island Bend Battlefield. Work is slowly progressing at the Woodson House with construction of walking trails. Public restrooms will also be built. The grounds for all these sites must be maintained. You see, we do need your support to continue our educational and preservation programs. So please mail your dues of $25/year to PO Box 606, Munfordville, KY 42765, visit the Museum on Main Street across from the sheriff’s office to drop off a check or pay in cash, or pay online at www.hartcountymuseum.org/membership.html Donations are also accepted and appreciated. Donation link here - DONATION As we expand our upcoming programs, we see the need for volunteers. No volunteer schedules have been made yet, but are definitely in the works. Call the Museum at 270-524-0101 to ask questions or get your name on the volunteer list. If your volunteer job requires training, you will get it. We want you to be successful. Thank you to the Hart County Public Library for hosting our meeting at their lovely, modern facility at 500 E Union Street in Munfordville. Check out their web page for all the adventures you can have there. See you next week. Carolyn Short January 12, 2023 Happy New Year! Maybe the weather will continue to cooperate and not try to do us in again. Here at Hart County Historical Society and Museum we are beginning to plan new exhibits for the coming spring after we move our Mary Willia Branstetter Genealogy Library next door tot he former Solid Waste Building. What a job that move will be! Yet, we are looking forward to more room for our crowded resources. This brings to mind a concern, bookcases. We need double the shelving we now have. Do you have bookcases you no longer need? They must be very sturdy and strong. Imperfections do not matter so much; we know how to paint. Some days at the Museum are quite peaceful, then a research question presents itself, such as where exactly was Blue Spring Grove? Lucille Harp studies and searched for a whole day before locating the information. She hopes she found what the Cyphers needed. Visitors were mostly from Kentucky lately with many locals. Jeromy Lively from North Carolina visited while in the area. Thanks to Doug Smith for donating Dr. Crandon's account book. This book was transferred to Dr. C.J. Walton in December 1876 when Dr. Crandon left Hart County for Kansas. Doug's family used this account book to check/locate births of several family members. And you should note the prices charged for house calls! Calvin Childress brought in several baskets to see if they could be used in the Basket Room. If you have old, handwoven baskets please consider donating them. They do not have to be in perfect condition. If we cannot use them, we will return them. We get by with a little help from our friends, especially our members. We appreciate you very much. January 1 was the renewal date for membership with the Society. If you have not renewed, please do so before our January mailing. Drop in at the museum to leave your money or check of $25 for individual membership, mail to PO Box 606 Munfordville, KY, or pay online at www.hartcountymuseum.org/membership.html With recent rains, the ground at the Battlefield Preserve on Rush Island Bend Road became muddy. One low area especially causes road concerns. Therefore, the Preserve will be closed during wet weather. You may need to call the museum before going over to the battlefield property. See you next week. Carolyn Short December 26, 2021 We at the Society hope everyone had a good Christmas despite the weather. And have a Happy New Year. Activities at the Museum surround preparations to move the Mary Willia Branstetter Genealogy Library next door to the former Solid Waste Building. We are in need of sturdy bookcases as we have filled the ones we now have. We are also aggressively working for grants to help pay for the building. End of year donations are welcome. We are a 501 c 3 organization so your donation is tax deductible. The Society loves the window display that Greg and Amber Ard put up for us this Christmas. We think it fits this old Chapline Building to a tea. So did others, as we were awarded second place by Munfordville Tourism for Christmas display . Thanks Tourism. Recent visitors and researchers have been from: Upton, Munfordville, Buffalo, Horse Cave, Glasgow, Magnolia, Louisville, Battletown, Canmer, Hardyville, Cave City, Iowa, North Carolina, Ohio, and Texas. We love welcoming these people to the Museum. A couple of visitors, young ones, visited and were so proud to see “their exhibit” on display. Come by to see the Monroe and Oliver Cottrell projectile display and hear their story. See you next week. Carolyn Short December 22, 2022 Do you ever forget you have finished a task and begin it again, or think you have completed a chore that is still undone? That has been my frame of mind since Thanksgiving. Oh, the joys of the Golden Years! Hopefully, I can get back on track with the Society News. After years of struggling with lack of space at the Museum and Geneaology Library, we resorted to placing research books in boxes on the floor. Our history bookcase has books stacked sideways instead of being place vertically as they should. Some rarely used materials are stored on a dolly! Our file cabinets are bursting at the seams. We added more cabinets which takes up more floor space. We continue to encroach on places for artifact display. So, finally we bit the bullet and leased, with the option to purchase, the former Solid Waste Building next door. Our Genealogy Library will in the near future occupy that building. The Society is now aggressively working on grants and donations to purchase sooner than later. Donations are tax deductible per 501c3 regulations. If you can help, drop off a donation at the Museum at 109 Main Street, Munfordville or mail to Hart County Historical Society PO Box 606 Munfordville, KY 42765. You may also donate by visiting our webpage or you may call us at 270-524-0101 for more information. Be kind, be safe and stay warm! See you next week, Carolyn Short November 17, 2022 It always gets this way – hectic in Fall. The number of tourists slack off, but holiday activities begin. Our October activities were well received. The Roy A. Cann Award Dinner was a good experience. Jerry Bransford’s presentation about the lives and times of his ancestors who were slave guides at Mammoth Cave was informative. The Hart County Public Library is a good venue for educational programs. We appreciate their help. At Trick or Treat on the Courthouse Square, fun was had by all. The Society’s latest venture, the Basket Room Opening, was a success also. Thanks to all who came bearing baskets for the public to see and to those who wanted to view them. We got good pictures of baskets and history to go with many of them. The pictures will be preserved and shown at a later date. The upstairs Basket Room is still set up as it was on opening day if you would like to visit. Before long, it will be rearranged in its semi-permanent form with a few less baskets than now. Thanks go to Beth Hester and Scott Gilbert who gave valuable input on certain baskets. WKU helped us by offering their basket making posters for the opening. We are appreciative of Calvin Childress who recently donated an old basket made either by his mother Ethel Waddle Childress or her uncle, Curtis Waddle. If you have a local basket with no plan for its preservation, maybe you will consider the Museum as its permanent home. The basket does not have to be in perfect condition. We are looking forward to Christmas on Main, which will be over by the time you read this, and then Parade Day on December 3. The Society plans a Chili Luncheon that day from 11-2. The cost is $8. The Woodson House Christmas Bazaar will be held on the Courthouse Square this year during the Parade Day activities. Recent researchers have looked into the Wells, Davidson, and Day families. Raymond Reynolds let us copy some pictures of his restored log house and Cedar Cliff Cemetery. Other donations are Barbara Wright’s Vol. 37 GREEN COUNTY ABSTRACTS OF CIRCUIT COURT CASES 1794-1856, Sheila Kent’s Confederate soldier photograph, and Dr. Middleton’s old doctor’s bill and picture of Munfordville Seniors at Depot. See you next week. Carolyn Short October 20, 2022 How could I do this again! Due to inattention on my part, I inadvertently gave a wrong name in last week’s article. The baskets that the Society has received were made by Lestel and Ollie Childress, so why did I say Sanders? My apologies to the families and all who are interested in our baskets. The Society has several activities coming up in the near future. 1) Trick or Treat on the Courthouse Square in Munfordville on October 29 from 3:00-6:00 2) Basket Room opening at the Museum in Munfordville on November 5 from 2:00-4:00 with light refreshments 3) Chili Luncheon at Museum on December 3 from 11:00-2:00 4) Christmas Bazaar on Courthouse lawn December 3 and 5) Christmas Parade at Horse Cave at 10:00 and Munfordville at 1:00. We will see you there. With sadness, the Society wishes to honor John R. Butler who was so generous to us. He donated Native American artifacts that rounded out our display. He even gave three of his paintings to us that add much to that display. Sandra and he also gave genealogy that adds to our information on their families. Thank you goes to Patrick Goodman who brought a Civil War cannon ball and a shell (?) for display. They were left by the Union at the Goodman Farm on 357 for the children of the family to play with! Barren County Museum brought an updated and combined list of Hart County World War II veterans after they finished a display. Joseph Norman donated his grandfather’s World War I rain coat, helmet, and copies of Red Cross mail, draft card, etc. Thank you to all who remember us with these wonderful donations. See you next week. Carolyn Short October 14, 2022 You are invited to join the Hart County Historical Society’s celebration on Saturday, November 5th, 2022, at 2:00 until 4:00 P.M. Central Daylight Time, as we open our new basket room upstairs in the Chapline Building, our Museum and office at 109 Main Street, Munfordville, Kentucky. We will be honoring basket making traditions and the makers themselves, especially Hart County basket makers. Guests are invited to bring a basket made in Hart County or elsewhere in the United States or abroad. Basketry experts Beth Hester and Scott Gilbert will be joining us and will be able to provide information on your basket’s provenance, materials, and techniques. In addition, the Historical Society is seeking to locate vintage Hart County white oak or willow baskets. If you have a Hart County basket that you believe to be over 50 years old, please also bring it to this event. We would like to photograph that basket for our files, record the owner’s name, and collect any information you may have about its history. So add this date to your calendar and plan to attend. Be sure to bring a basket and a friend to an event that will provide an unforgettable afternoon of camaraderie, sharing, and new basketry experiences. We will be serving light refreshments and a warm welcome. Your R.S.V.P. is optional, but appreciated. (Mary Margaret Villines) We plan to display for the first time, 15 newly acquired baskets made by Lestell and Ollie Sanders. The Museum is so fortunate to have these beautiful acquisitions, and we believe the Sanders would like for their work to be kept local and displayed for all to enjoy. See you next week. Carolyn Short September 16, 2022 What a busy two weeks leading up to Civil War Days! You can’t imagine the calls, texts, payments, orders, and man-hours it took to get the commemoration off and running. The Society wants to thank every individual who helped in any way, great or small. I’m not listing names because I would undoubtedly (accidentally) leave someone out. A special thank you goes to the reenactors who traveled for miles from out-of-state. We enjoyed all the home schoolers and other visitors who attended activities at the battlefield and museum. Now, we need to review events to see how we can improve next year. The Society wants to offer many experiences for the public, but our workers are few in number and are spread thin. We can’t do it all without more volunteers. Who will step up to plan a parade? The public seems to miss the parade. Aren’t our local towns beautiful, all decked out for fall? Our museum visitors were numerous, mostly from Kentucky. Others were from Indiana, North Carolina, Texas, Michigan, and Florida. Now on to the Society’s next project, the Roy A. Cann Award Banquet. It will be held at Floral Hall at the fairgrounds. We are honoring an individual (and there are several from which to choose) who have helped us preserve Hart County’s history in order to educate our audience. Join us! Roy A. Cann Award Banquet See you next week. Carolyn Short September 1, 2022 So far, this week has been a whirlwind of activity. We are still organizing new donations, figuring out where added file cabinets need to be placed, answering a swirl of incoming calls, and recording Civil War Days registrations. Friday is School Day at the Battlefield. Students see a variety of displays to help them understand the way life was “back then.” On Saturday, vendors are open on Munfordville courthouse square. At 9 AM on the battlefield there is the flag raising, at 2 PM is the battle reenactment, 7:30 the dance at the Pavilion, and 8 PM the lantern tour of the battlefield. Sunday begins with a period church service at 10 AM at the battlefield followed at 2 PM by the battle reenactment. See you there! Have you heard that the Historical Society is sponsoring a Roy A. Cann Award banquet? It will be on October 1, 2022 at the Floral Hall at the fairgrounds at 5:30. We have chosen a banquet to honor Mr. Cann and present an award in his name to a deserving citizen of Hart County who has contributed tirelessly to fulfill the vision of the original founders of the Society. You may call the Museum for more details (270-524-0101). This week visitors have been from Maine, Tennessee, and of course, Kentucky. Many thanks to Coni Shepperd for bringing over representatives of Barren County Chamber of Commerce. We enjoy telling about Hart County’s history and museum exhibits. See you next week. Carolyn Short August 11, 2022 School days are here, and our foot traffic has slowed at the Museum. With fewer visitors, we can now catch up on paper work, computer data entry, and placing access numbers on artifacts.. Actually, the chores are never ending. A couple of delightful Amish ladies visited this week. We had a fun time reminiscing about how home life was when we were growing up; wood burning kitchen ranges, outhouses, wringer washers, and the lack of power for some. Huge gardens followed with summers and fall of canning and preserving loom in our minds. For one, I’m glad to have moved on to modern conveniences. Allie Ballard and guest also visited. Kathy Nichols and guest visited to view LeGrande School’s year books. The Museum has several annuals from various Hart County schools, but not complete sets. Before you throw out old annuals, please call us to see if we need that year or years to complete the collection. See you next week. Carolyn Short August 5, 2022 How charming these four visitors were, from the north of England. Picking up on their English accent, yet different from my sister-in-law’s accent, one fellow explained that “a” is pronounced differently in the south of England where Jill grew up. They had questions about the Civil War, and during our discussion I said that Gen. Grant took Gen. Buckner’s arms at Donaldson to give to Buckner’s wife before sending him to prison. “Took his arms!” the lady yelled holding her arms in front of her. Yes, I kept a straight face until the guys began laughing. They explained what I meant about taking his arms. You’ve got to love these people experiences. The Coca Cola sign on the exterior of the Museum captures the attention of many tourists who pass. Once a week, approximately, a car will stop, take a picture of the sign, and continue on their way. The sign is fading in the strong southern sun. Preserving it should be considered. Researchers are still prevalent, in person and tele-communication. Laura and Thomas Gentry, Kentucky, researched their sur name. Mike McDaniel, Kentucky looked into the Atteberry and Henry families. Norma Benett researched Logsdon. Some of our Kentucky visitors were: Mr. and Mrs. George, Stacey Hay, Heather Botterling, Verl Logsdon, and Merl Logsdon. Others were: Dumitre Fenevi, Florida; Charles and Janet Foxworth, Virginia; an Atlanta couple; and Will Weisback and guest, Indiana. Research on the Walton, Dunagan, Galloway, and McDaniel families has been donated to the Society Library. Thanks to all who remember us with gifts. Thanks also go to all who are working with the Preserve and Museum. See you next week. Carolyn Short July 28, 2022 A pleasant experience to start the day is recommended. After some time of extensive searching through files and shelves, a researcher exclaimed to her co-researcher, “You must see the facilities! They are sparkling clean; better than the bed and breakfast where we’re staying.” It is the little things that make this job rewarding. And, we were able to give pointers of where to look for more information on their topic. Marcia Hays does a wonderful job for the Society. Not only is she great programing (etc.) our computer, but she is also good with tourists and researchers. Marcia tells Hart County history, relays stories of our artifacts, and proficiently guides folks with their research. (What would we do without her and the other workers who keep the Museum going?) Barbara Berry came to research Pollard and Clark families. She was unable to locate what she needed. Other visitors came for Civil War history and to see museum exhibits: Logan and J. West, Amber Neill group, Tammy Nunn, Marcia Peterson, Andy Bustin, and Don Stith, all from Kentucky. Alabama visitors were Delores Clark, C. Eccles, and P. Hoddinott. Macy McDowell reports that visitors are taken with the basket room located upstairs in the Museum. A bit more work needs to be done describing the baskets, but we are well on our way to a very good, new exhibit. Come by to see for yourself. See you next week. Carolyn Short July 25, 2022 A Word of Appreciation The Hart County Historical Society is grateful to the Kentucky Arts Council for its recent Arts Access Assistance grant sponsoring a series of basket classes for senior citizens and for the Arts Council’s long term support of Hart County basketry. July 21, 2022 My, how the summer passes! Soon Civil War Days and Battles for the Bridge will be upon us. Check out the Society’s webpage www.hartcountymuseum.org/ for more information. You will find applications for in-town vendor registration, battlefield vendor registration, reenactor registrations, and payment options. We hope to see you there on the second weekend in September. Tourists and local visitors still arrive daily. They love the Woodson House and Preserve. Visitors were: Joe and Mary, Ohio; Ed and Kathy Shauer, Tennessee; Patrick Quinn, Kentucky; Becca O’Reilly, Kentucky; Neargardner family, Indiana; Nathan and Arron Witherson, Tennessee; Ed and Kathy Lejeune, Louisiana; and the Krizon family, Indiana. Watching the reactions of children in the Museum is a joy, even if some of them want to be outside. Researchers this week were: Melissa Smith and daughter, wanting information on stage coach stops in Cub Run. She has been told that the house where she lives was once a stop. Barbara Love, Kentucky, researched James Jackson Heath. Beth Brown Mutchler and sister, Indiana, wants information on the Brown Pool Hall in Horse Cave owned by Eddie Willis Brown Sr. If you have information or tales for these ladies, please call the Museum at 270-524-0101. We enjoyed visiting with approximately 15 members from the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. They seemed to enjoy our small, quaint museum and asked several pertinent questions about our artifacts. One lady from the Filson Club in Louisville, Kentucky said she would be back with her husband as he is a Simon B. Buckner fan. See you next week. Carolyn Short July 7, 2022 Recently, Harold Cottrell and Marcia Hays Lenz, board members, attended and sold books on behalf of the historical society at the Ancestral Trails Book Fair in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. They met many authors, other historical society folks from across the state, and a few folks stopped by to chat who were formerly residents of Hart County. The society was glad to attend this event once again. The Museum and Genealogy Library are still seeing several visitors. The heat didn’t slow them down. Tourists have come from across Kentucky as well as Arizona, California, and Ohio. Euel Coats, Mississippi, told me that he had traveled 400 miles to find out where the boundaries of Hatcher Valley are! Ha. I couldn’t help with the boundaries, only where Hatcher Valley Road is located. Someone out there call me at the museum if you know about where Hatcher Valley begins, ends, and how wide it is. (270-524-0101) Mrs. Hines, Kentucky, returned to research pictures for a book, IMAGES OF AMERICA, GREEN RIVER. Last week she and her husband were here researching. A party of four came to research the family line of George Thomas Hays and his wife Clara Bell Dennis. Jorene McCubbins had a busy day with visitors and calls for information. We are fortunate to have dedicated workers who put the visitor/researcher first. See you next week. Carolyn Short June 16, 2022 Make plans to attend a free program at the Hart County Public Library on June 24 at 5 PM. Eddie Price, a well-known writer and re-enactor of Kentucky subjects and characters, will speak on the War of 1812 and how Kentuckians were represented in that war. In the Battle of the River Raisin, Capt. Nathaniel G. S. Hart, Hart County’s namesake, was massacred. You will enjoy this well researched program. What an active little museum we have here in Hart County! We really appreciate all the visitors who come through. Amy (Seaton-Rowlett) Mansfield, California, and her brother Phillip Seaton, Kentucky, were such a welcome pair. They discussed memories of the old Rowlett House that stood on Depot Hill in Munfordville where their grandfather lived. How many of you remember passing that house and wondering what it was like inside? Is it really haunted? It had three floors of rooms with furniture hardly disturbed from the days when they were occupied. An attic created a fourth level to the house and was still set up as an art studio when Ann and Phillip were small. Phillip seemed to especially love rummaging around there. Ann’s allergies acted up from all the dust in the attic. Do you remember the large object in the front lawn that looked somewhat like an Italian oven? That was a pet raccoon’s house. Another topic of discussion were the Rowlett Sisters – Amy, Frances, and Mildred. Precious memories. Vicky Myers and guest, Indiana, researched Myers, James, Welder, Park and wood families. Tyler, Angie, and Joe White, Kentucky, wanted information on B J White who taught and coached at Memorial Consolidated School in the 1920’s and 30’s. They were so excited to find several pages in Frances Moss’S THE SPIRIT OF MEMORIAL. After leaving the museum, they were going to Memorial, hoping that someone would be there so they could see the building and gym. Other visitors were from North Carolina, and several from Indiana and Kentucky. See you next week. Carolyn Short June 12, 2022 It is so interesting to watch the interaction of grandparents and grandchildren. We had the honor of observing such a group at the Museum. They are traveling across the United States this summer, visiting all 50 states, and stopping in each. After a tour of the exhibits, and extra explanations by Grandpa, he asked if he could remove census records from the shelf. Guiding the granddaughters to the research table, he began to explain what a census was and its purpose. He even had them compare an 1850 and 1930 to look for differences in how our community might have changed through the years. Then they studied a genealogy book, studying how it was organized and documented. What fortunate grandchildren! Quite often, the Historical Society gets visits from other museum workers who are passing through and notices our little museum. We swap stories of successes and failures, organization, upkeep, and record keeping. It appears that we all have the same issues that we struggle through, although some museums get more funding than we. We are blessed with hard working board members who keep us moving forward. The latest fundraiser, the 5K Run, was a great success. The money raised goes to Civil War Days activities and upkeep of the battlefield that are enjoyed by everyone. A unique story also emerged. Traveling through Kentucky on their way home in Ohio, was a couple returning from their honeymoon in New Orleans. They love running 5K’s, so after learning of the one in Munfordville, they decide to give it a go. The husband was ahead near the finish line but slowed down to allow his wife to catch up. They crossed the finish line together. Someone asked him if he was going to be so accommodating next year. There was no reply but a quirky little smile came over his face. Realizing that the race was for a 503c organization, they promptly donated their winnings back to the committee. See, there are good people in this world. Researchers Shannon and Shawn Poynter, locals, came to research the Clymer, Pippin and Poynter families. Ms. Gadby, local, was interested in Bryants and Walters after touring the Museum with her children. Peggy from St. Louis and Martha from Atlanta researched Galloway and Curry lines. Other visitors were from Kentucky, New Jersey, Iowa, and Texas. Don’t forget to resister for the free basket making classes in July. Call for more details 270-524-0101. Your $20 deposit will be returned at the first class. See you next week, Carolyn Short June 7, 2022 We all get by with a little help from our friends, and the gals at the Historical Society came through for me. After all this time, Covid hit the Short household. A big thank you goes to Jorene, Macy, and Marcia who kept the Museum going while I quarantined and recouped. Are you intrigued by Hart County’s basket making traditions? Thanks to Mary Margaret Villines, the Society has been awarded an Arts Access Assistance Grant through the Kentucky Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. Six classes for those age 55 plus will be held at the Hart County Library beginning on June 21, followed on the 22, 23, 28, 29, and 30. Classes are free but require a $20 registration deposit (cash or check only) as a place holder which will be returned on the first day of classes. There are only 12 slots available. On June 9 registration will open to any adult, regardless of age as long as spaces remain. A light lunch will be provided except for June 22. You may drop off or mail your registration at the Museum. Call for more details: 270-524-0101 or 270-524-0429. Have you ever heard of Elmer Store on HWY 357 between Munfordville and Hammonsville? Anna G. Bolton, born 1853, who married George Murray, born in Hart County, lived near Elmer Store where they reared eight children. Come on local historians, help us out with your ideas. Call 270-524-0101 with information. Many locals and Kentucky travelers have visited the Museum recently, especially since school is out for the year. Other visitors hailed from Florida, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Texas, Indiana, Michigan, and Tennessee. See you next week. Carolyn Short |