Tales From The Kentucky Room

David sits down with acclaimed local historian and author Maryjean Wall to talk about her latest book, She’s the Mother of Us All: Sweet Evening Breeze and the Queer Community of Lexington Kentucky. They discuss Sweet Evening Breeze’s influence on Lexington, Kentucky, and how she challenged conventional ideas of who could access and wield power in midcentury Lexington. They also talk about Lexingt...

Today we’re joined by Keven McQueen to discuss his newest book, The Judge Mulligan Poisoning and Other Historic Lexington Crimes . Keven reads a selection from his book featuring the failed murder trial of Lafayette Shelby, grandson of Kentucky’s first governor Isaac Shelby. He  also highlights his research into the 1890 Louisville tornado, and a favorite Richmond, Kentucky ghost story from his bo...

Kevin Lane Dearinger joins us again to talk about his new book, a beautifully put together scrapbook of photos and history of The Opera House. David asks him about the early history of the theater building, and Lexington’s history as a theater town and regional cultural hub.  At the Lexington Opera House: a Scrapbook 1887-2026 by Kevin Lane Dearinger is available for checkout and for purchase from...

Dr. Elizabeth DeWolfe joins us by phone from Maine to discuss her book Alias Agnes: The Notorious Tale of a Guilded Age Spy with David. Alias Agnes is a narrative non-fiction exploring the role of Jane Armstrong Tucker, alias Agnes Parker, and her undercover role in the lawsuit brought by Madeleine Pollard against William C. P. Breckinridge. David and Dr. DeWolfe discuss the backgrounds of both wo...

David sits down with Sarah Hubbard, Kentucky Room Manager to talk about exciting updates to the Kentucky Room’s online digital archive. They discuss how to use the archive, and what Sarah’s favorite items in the collection are, plus some upcoming events in the Kentucky Room for 2026.

David sits down with Adam Lewis, local architecture photographer and archivist, to discuss Adam’s popular Instagram account: Southern Country Goodfellow (@southern_country_goodfellow on Instagram). They discuss Adam’s inspiration to start the account, his love of architecture, and how he finds homes to photograph. Adam tells us about his future plans for his photography, and how to get in touch wi...

David sits down with Dr. Jennifer Cramer, Director of the Appalachian Studies Program at the University of Kentucky and a Professor in the department of Linguistics to talk about the myths and realities of Appalachian Englishes. They talk about her research into dialects in Kentucky and Appalachia and how Appalachian English dialects are similar and different from other American English dialects,...

David sits down with local historian Dr. Jeremy Popkin and local photographer Bob Willcutt about their collaboration on Gratz Park: The Heart of Historic Lexington , a gorgeously photographed book about the history of Lexington’s Gratz Park. They discuss their inspirations, research sources, and their favorite stories of the park, including how it became a public park. Gratz Park: The Heart of His...

Coming to you from the library’s new podcast studio at Northside Branch, David chats with Wes Swietek, managing editor of the Bowling Green Daily News newspaper and author of The Cemetery Road Murders: The Shocking True Tale of Kentucky’s Murder Mansion, about his research into the double murder case featured in the book. Wes gives us an overview of the case and some of his thoughts about the outc...

David sits down with Wayne to discuss Wayne’s top list of sports highlights, events and personalities to celebrate sports month during Lexington's 250Lex 250th anniversary celebration. This episode is Wayne's last episode before his retirement in February 2025. 

David sits down with Chad Walker, owner of much of the Warehouse Block, and Erica Friis, a historic preservationist and host of the podcasts “ The Lexington Podcast ” and “ Inside the Block ” to talk about the history and revitalization of Lexington’s Warehouse Block. The block along National Avenue now hosts many restaurants and local businesses.

David sits down with Wayne to discuss Wayne’s list of notable people in Lexington's history. This year, 2025, is Lexington, Kentucky’s 250th anniversary, and there are many events around the city to celebrate. As part of the celebrations, Wayne put together lists of the 250 most important events and people, and he’s selected a few people on the list to share with us today.

David sits down with Josh Porter, Assistant Executive Director of Lexington’s Faulkner Morgan Archive to discuss the exhibit “Queer, Here, & Everywhere” displayed at the Central Library until June 26, 2025. They discuss the research that went into the exhibit and future plans to add panels to the exhibit. The exhibit will be at the Lexington Pride Festival on Saturday June 28, and then will mo...

It’s Tales from the Kentucky Room’s 100th Episode!  Celebrate with us as David speaks with local realtor and historian Zach Davis about early cemeteries in Lexington, Kentucky. They talk about pioneer graveyards, the Maxwell burying ground, Cove Haven Cemetery, Forest Hill Cemetery, First Hill cemetery and many others. They also discuss the fascination with cemeteries as destinations and as the pr...

Retired attorney, former President of the Lafayette chapter of the Sons of the Revolution, and all around General Lafayette expert Dale Henley sits down with David to talk about the Marquis de Lafayette and his visit to Lexington in 1825. They talk about Lafayette’s background, from joining the Musketeers at the age of thirteen to defying the French King and sailing to the American colonies to adv...

David sits down with Erin Chandler over video call to discuss her new true crime memoir, Bluegrass Sons . They discuss her childhood in Las Vegas, her relationship with her uncle Bradley Bryant, and her reasons for writing the book. Erin also reads an excerpt from her book.  Bluegrass Sons  is available for checkout from the library and for purchase from Erin's website. Bluegrass Sons is a true cr...

David and Wayne discuss their memories of the winter storm that brought Kentucky to a standstill on January 17, 1994. They talk about the city and state’s response, the extremely low temperatures, and how that storm compares to the storms from January and February 2025.

David sits down with Wayne to discuss Wayne’s top ten list of historical events in Lexington. This year, 2025, is Lexington, Kentucky’s 250th anniversary, and there are many events around the city to celebrate. As part of the celebrations, Wayne put together lists of the 250 most important events and people, and he’s selected ten to discuss with us today. Wayne's list of ten influential people wil...

On this episode, Jamie West tells us about a scandal in 1882 with the Lexington City Physician. J.C. Harpham, as city physician, was required to attend the patients living in the smallpox hospital on the outskirts of town. It quickly came out that he was, in fact, only pretending to go visit the patients. He was replaced immediately, and he and his family left Lexington under a cloud of scandal. T...

Freda Meriwether joins us for a remembrance of her father and his struggle with alcoholism.  Freda Meriwether loves God, her husband, her children and grandchildren and spending time with them either at their sport events or family get togethers. She looks forward to traveling to Maysville once a week to care for her elderly mother. Enjoying life is the highlight of her day. Theme song "Appalachia...

This episode discusses a murder, listener's discretion is advised.  Mariam and Wayne sit down to discuss a murder mystery that captivated Lexington and the surrounding area for almost 30 years. The Tent Girl. More Who-Is-It? than Who-Dun-It? when she was found in 1968, the city of Georgetown adopted the girl in the tarp, placing a headstone on her grave with her description and the police sketch o...

Jerry Meriwether joins us this Veteran’s Day with a remembrance of his Honor Flight.  A proud husband, father and grandfather. Jerry loves God. He is a Deacon at Shiloh Baptist Church. Jerry served in the US army. He is also currently the Co-Commander of the National Association for Black Veterans (NABVETS) Chapter 23. This organization advocates for veterans and their families assisting in filing...

Holly Epperly joins us for a story about self-discovery and making your own meaning from life’s messages. Holly Epperly is a mother to 3 elementary aged children and a Kentuckian since she was very young. Raised in a family that encouraged and facilitated artistic expression, she has always had a story to share. Writing for connection, communication and sometimes therapy, she hopes to continue sha...

Mariam sits down with Raymond McLain and Ruth McLain Smith ahead of the McLain Family Band’s induction into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame. They talk about their beginnings as a band in 1968 on television in Hazard, Kentucky and their musical childhoods. They toured extensively throughout the 1970s and 1980s in 64 countries through Africa, Europe and Asia. Raymond and Ruth reflect on their career...

Christine Stephany joins us with a story from her childhood about how she and her father came to understand each other better.  Christine W. Stephany is a daughter, sister, Mom, YaYa and friend. Years of note taking and jotting down thoughts brings her to a turn in the highway…learning to writing. With a lifelong spirit of curiosity she embraces nature, biking, learning, people and an evolutionary...