Kentucky Wide

The Old Talbott Tavern has seen some of history's most important names from around the world in its long history. The building still stands in Bardstown, Nelson County Kentucky. Explore royalty, ghosts, presidents, delicious food and more.

A new run of Hamilton will be opening in Louisville this month, so w’re keeping the America250 theme rolling with the newest episode of our podcast Kentucky Wide by looking at Hamilton’s notorious rival, Aaron Burr. Written by our own Tori Kennedy, this episode introduces you to Burr’s Kentucky connections, which—just like his relationship with Hamilton—were mired in controversy. Burr actually fac...

In 1915, while making a transcontinental tour, The Liberty Bell made a brief stop in Louisville. There was drama, there was celebration, there were guests of honor, and there was a national dialogue around technology, history, and a looming World War.  And for one young girl on the run, the moment was too big to miss. 

We're excited to launch our second Season of Kentucky Wide. This season will run longer and feature stories that connect to the 250th Anniversary of America and the ideals of the Declaration of Independence.   

While we work on a new season, we’re excited to partner with Kentucky History Podcast for a special podcast feed swap! Host Jameson Cable shares one of his most-listened-to episodes: Shawnee in Kentucky. In this engaging conversation, Jameson is joined by Dr. Stephen Warren, author of The Shawnees and Their Neighbors, 1795–1870 and The Worlds the Shawnees Made: Migration and Violence in Early Amer...

The facade of Christian Heigold's 19th Century home is all that remains from the living structure.  Near the Ohio River east of Downtown Louisville, it tells a deep story of that time in America. Similarly, German immigrant August Bloedner carved the oldest Civil War monument in America to honor his fallen fellow soldiers at Kentucky's Battle of Rowlett Station in 1861. It is kept safe from the el...

General William “Bull” Nelson of Mason County, secretly fought to keep Kentucky in the Union and was then famously murdered in Louisville's Galt House Hotel by Jefferson Davis (not the Jefferson Davis you’re thinking of). Camp Nelson in Jessamine County, Kentucky, was named in his honor. The incredible historic site is now remembered for the hundreds of enlistments of Kentuckians into the U.S. Col...

"Big" Jim Porter was a world famous man from Portland, Kentucky who stood 7'8" tall.  However, a Letcher County Man named Martin Van Buren Bates would come along and top him by and inch, at 7'9". Bates eventually married Anna Swan, who was tall than both men. 

Henrietta Wood and Madeline Pollard are two Kentucky Women who successfully sued Kentucky men in the 1800s.  Henrietta was a free woman when Zebulon Ward abducted her and sent her back into slavery. Her suit for restitution was pivitol - and successful.  Madeline Pollard sued Col. Breckinridge for breach of promise when he refused to marry her as once promised, following their years-long affair. ...

Annie Casey Glover, better known as Madame Glover was an Irish immigrant in the 1800s who became one of the leading dressmakers of America at her time.  Mabel Kelly and her husband Wallace lived in Lebanon, KY where they pursued the artistic life. Both are featured in our 2025-26 exhibition Davis Jewelers Love and Marriage. Find Wallace Kelly's movie "Our Day" at the Library of Congress here: http...

Our first episode examines the lives of four Black photographers from Kentucky. Morgan and Marvin Smith were from Nicholasville, KY and operated a studio right next to The Apollo Theatre in Harlem. Moneta Sleet, of Owensboro, KY was the first Black man to win a Pulitzer Prize, which he won for his photo from Martin Luther King Jr's funeral. Finally, Louisville's Bud Dorsey worked a straight job wh...

Kentucky Wide is a new podcast produced by the Frazier History Museum. Join hosts Mick Sullivan and Sarah Jemerson along with a team of writers including Jason Berkowitz, Megan Schanie, Amanda Briede, and Simon Meiners.  Season one will include stories of Morgan and Marvin Smith, Martin Van Buren Bates, Bull Nelson and more! Kentuckians are our focus, but you'll hear how Kentucky has impacted the...