FHW 2022 is dedicated to the memory of Ann Macklin Peel
Born on September 8, 1930 to A.W. Macklin III and Dorothy Cummins Macklin, Ann and her family moved from her birthplace of Chicago, IL to Frankfort, KY, her father having been a descendant of the A.W. Macklin (1799-1863) of the same name for whom the Macklin Farm near the Forks of Elkhorn is named.
Ann attended Frankfort High School where, at 16 years old, she left Frankfort to attend the University of Kentucky and graduated in 1951 with a BA in Anthropology. While at UK, Ann was chapter president of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and chapter president of the National Panhellenic Conference.
During her career, she worked for Drilling Magazine in Texas, became director of research in the Kentucky Department of Commerce, and served several years on the Legislative Research Commission.
After she retired from state government in 1988, Ann set out to write a family history for her children and grandchildren. As she started writing, she learned of a collection of letters in possession of her aunt Caroline Fenwick Macklin Bailey which were over 100 years old and which extended her research for another three years.
In 1997, Ann published To Become a Texian: The Letters and Journeys of Caroline Cox Morgan and Her Family, 1839-1857, based on the series of letters, other family documents, and her exhaustive research, offering a rare and unique glimpse into the lives of her family and other early residents in the Forks of Elkhorn, Stedmantown, downtown Frankfort, and of the birth of Texas.
To Become a Texian could be seen as a companion, if not a sequel, to Ann Bolton Bevins's book about St. Francis Catholic Church in Scott County, That Troublesome Parish, which details the early Catholic settlers at the Forks of Elkhorn and White Sulphur, many people and families of which are prominently mentioned in both books. Another similar companion book is Church of the Good Shepherd 1848-1948 .
Today, the book holds a prominent place in the Texas History Collection of the University of North Texas and was added to The Portal to Texas History, an online digital repository of Texas History hosted by UNT.
During her final years, Ann lived in one of the condos on the top floors of the Capital Plaza Hotel. Ann Macklin Peel passed away at home on March 28, 2022.
Ann was first married to Hugh M. Badham then to James L. Peel, had five children, 13 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Read To Become a Texian here: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth26718/
ALL WEEK - MAY 8th - 15th, 2022
The entire month of May is both National Historic Preservation Month AND National Museum Month! And the first week of May (May 1st – 7th) is National Travel and Tourism Week!
Frankfort Heritage Week kicks off at noon on Mother's Day, May 8th, with Frankfort history programming on Cable-10, lasting all week!
ALL WEEK:
BOOKS & RETAIL! The Kentucky Historical Society is offering a 20% discount to Frankfort residents that spend $25 or more at the 1792 Museum Store, both in-person and online (photo ID required) all week. Located at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History on Broadway! The Capital City Museum on Ann Street and Poor Richards Bookstore on West Broadway Street are also great places to find Frankfort history books!
TELEVISION! Learn about Frankfort history ALL WEEK! The Frankfort Plant Board has gone through its vaults and will be resurrecting an entire week of Frankfort history programming on Cable-10! For information on the programming schedule, click on the "TV" tab at the top of this page. You can also access it by going to the TV Guide on your TV, or via internet go to http://online.vu-it.tv/start/guide, enter “40601” as the ZIP Code, select “Frankfort Plant Board Cable Frankfort Standard Cable (Digital) Frankfort, KY,” and scroll to Channel 10 – FPB-TV.
OLD STATE CAPITOL TOURS! Daily tours Tuesday - Friday at 2:00 pm and Saturday at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. Visitors will explore the Old State Capitol building’s unique architectural features and works of art. We’ll also delve into the politics and personalities of 19th and early 20th century Kentuckians, getting to know the leaders who walked these halls and discussing some of the major issues they debated, such as slavery, response to the Civil War, women’s rights, and civil rights. This tour convenes at the front desk of the Thomas D. Clark Center for History. Cost: included with KHS daily admission: Adults: $8 | Youth (6-18): $6 | Veterans: $6 | Children (5 & under): free
MONDAY, MAY 9th
Bourbon Exhibit Update Unveiling and African American Exhibit Preview
MONDAY, May 9th - 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – IN-PERSON at Capital City Museum, 325 Ann St., Frankfort, KY 40601. Join the Capital City Museum for the unveiling of the newly-updated bourbon exhibit and a sneak-preview of the new African American exhibit focusing on African American life in Frankfort during the 20th Century. Featuring artifacts ranging from advertising materials to rare bourbons, the updated exhibit highlights one of the most prominent stories in Frankfort and Franklin County. Phone: 502.696.0607. Website: https://capitalcitymuseum.com/
TUESDAY, MAY 10th
Col. Taylor’s Bourbon History Tour
TUESDAY, May 10th - 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – IN-PERSON – hosted by the Frankfort-Franklin County Tourism and Convention Commission at the Frankfort Visitor Center, 300 St. Clair Street, Ste. 102, Frankfort, KY., guided by Russ Kennedy as Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr.. Cost: $11/person; Registration required. To register, visit: https://visitfrankfort.com/event/2022-bourbon-history-walking-tour-may-10th/ Phone: 502.875-8687
Mason's Grocery Open House
TUESDAY, May 10th - 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm – IN-PERSON – hosted by the Franklin County Women & Family Shelter in partnership with the Franklin County Trust for Historic Preservation - 300/302 Murray Street, Frankfort, KY. In conjunction with 2022 Kentucky Gives Day, come check out the recent renovations to the historic Mason's Grocery (ca. 1925) in South Frankfort as the Shelter converts it to office space and an apartment for a family in the program. Tours, food, guest speakers, and an oral history table and photocopying station for those that wish to share stories of the building's historic significance to the community. Call the Shelter at (502) 352-2843 for more information.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 11th
African American Historic Context Report
WEDNESDAY, May 11th - 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm – VIRTUAL – sponsored by the City of Frankfort’s Architectural Review Board and City Historic Preservation Officer and presented by Cultural Heritage Works, a preservation consulting group from Nashville, TN. Join Carolyn Bracket and Robbie Jones to learn about this city project, partially funded by a Certified Local Government grant from the Kentucky Heritage Council and National Park Service, to develop a historic narrative for the African American experience in Frankfort, which includes the identification of important places and buildings associated with that heritage. The project is currently underway, and the consultant team will share important aspects of the history and sites they are discovering. Time will be provided after the presentation to engage with the audience. GoToMeeting Link: https://meet.goto.com/226284541
Kentucky Historical Society's Walking Tour
WEDNESDAY, May 11th - 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm – IN-PERSON – hosted and guided by the Kentucky Historical Society Staff - Capacity: 10 people. Get to know Kentucky through her capital city! As the commonwealth’s seat of government since 1792, Frankfort has been the backdrop for countless events that impacted Kentuckians across the state, and made headlines around the country. Join us for a stroll through our beautiful downtown and hear stories about the people and places that have helped make Frankfort – and Kentucky – so unique! (Weather permitting at KHS staff discretion.) Cost: $5 per person/ free for KHS members. Meet on the steps of the Old State Capitol on Broadway Street. Registration is required by emailing KHSeducation@ky.gov or calling (502) 782-8070.
THURSDAY, MAY 12th
Col. Taylor’s Bourbon History Tour
THURSDAY, May 12th - 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Col. Taylor’s Bourbon History Tour – IN-PERSON – hosted by the Frankfort-Franklin County Tourism and Convention Commission at the Frankfort Visitor Center, 300 St. Clair Street, Ste. 102, Frankfort, KY., guided by Russ Kennedy as Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr.. Cost: $11/person; Registration required. To register, visit: https://visitfrankfort.com/event/2022-bourbon-history-walking-tour-may-10th/ Phone: 502.875-8687
Frankfort Faces: Kids Coloring Event
THURSDAY, May 12th - 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm – IN-PERSON at Capital City Museum, 325 Ann St. Frankfort, KY 40601. Put your own spin on famous faces of Frankfort and Franklin County history by coloring inside (or outside) the lines with exclusive coloring sheets – made specifically for Frankfort Heritage Week. Perfect for ages 5 to 12, or any kids at heart (adults included). Bring your own crayons, markers, or colored pencils.
Frankfort History Trivia
THURSDAY, May 12th - 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – IN-PERSON -- hosted by the Kentucky Historical Society at The Patio Pub, 321 St. Clair Street. Hey friends and neighbors – join us to show off your capital city smarts at a special Frankfort-themed trivia night. Bring your team and get ready to battle it out for bragging rights AND some pretty sweet prizes! Advance registration is not required, but please arrive a few minutes early to check in with the game coordinator. Questions? Email KHSeducation@ky.gov .
FRIDAY, MAY 13th
Col. Taylor’s Bourbon History Tour
FRIDAY, May 13th - 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – IN-PERSON – hosted by the Frankfort-Franklin County Tourism and Convention Commission at the Frankfort Visitor Center, 300 St. Clair Street, Ste. 102, Frankfort, KY., guided by Russ Kennedy as Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr.. Cost: $11/person; Registration required. To register, visit: https://visitfrankfort.com/event/2022-bourbon-history-walking-tour-may-10th/ Phone: 502.875-8687
Unveiling of Gen. Marquis de Lafayette Historical Marker
FRIDAY, May 13th - 2:00 pm – IN-PERSON – hosted by Liberty Hall Historic Site at 218 Wilkinson Street. To commemorate General Lafayette’s visit to Liberty Hall and Frankfort in 1825, Liberty Hall Historic Site has been added to the national Lafayette Trail. The trail project was created to celebrate the bicentennial of Lafayette’s visit to the United States in 1824 and 1825. The marker dedication will be held on Friday, May 13, at 2pm in front of Liberty Hall. Mr. Julien Icher, president of the Lafayette Trail Project, Inc., among other dignitaries, will be speaking. A reception at the Orlando Brown House will follow. For more information, call LHHS at 502.227.2560.
Franklin County Trust for Historic Preservation Annual Awards
FRIDAY, MAY 13th - 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm - The Franklin County Trust will recognize the 2022 recipients of their annual Martha Moore Award for Historic Preservation at 5:30 pm in the garden at Liberty Hall. Honorees are the National Society of Colonial Dames of America, Tom Dorman, Eric Northcutt, and Richard Taylor.
2022 Annual Frankfort Heritage Week Ceremony
FRIDAY, May 13th - 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Frankfort Heritage Week Ceremony – IN-PERSON – sponsored by the Frankfort-Area Chamber of Commerce’s Frankfort First Foundation at Ward Oates Amphitheater, Riverview Park, behind the Kentucky Bar Center - Access from W Main Street or Riverview Park parking lot (Farmer’s Market side) - Join the history, heritage, and tourism community and guest speakers as they celebrate the importance of local history education and historic preservation to our community, and the importance of these community coalitions. All organizers and participants of Frankfort Heritage Week and all members of the community are invited and welcome!
History Happy Hour: Frankfort Heritage Week Edition!
FRIDAY, May 13th - 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm – IN-PERSON – hosted by Sig Luscher Brewery – Following the Frankfort Heritage Week Ceremony, all organizers, participants, and any other members of the history, preservation, and tourism community are invited to mix, mingle, and relax among peers and the public at Frankfort’s own historic beer brewery Sig Luscher Brewery, located at 221 Mero Street, Frankfort, KY, where they serve “historically good beer,” and enjoy some live music in our historic downtown! (website: http://sigluscherbrewery.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sigluscherbrewery)
SATURDAY, MAY 14th
Historic Downtown Scavenger Hunt!
SATURDAY, May 14th - 10:00 am – 5:00 pm – IN-PERSON, but independently – hosted by Kentucky Historical Society – Seek and Find with the Historic Downtown Scavenger Hunt! Stop by the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History at 100 W. Broadway to grab your packet of historical photos and use the clues to match them to current buildings. Snap a selfie on the spot and once you’ve found the last location, come back down to claim your prize! Bonus points for tagging @KyHistSoc on Facebook and Twitter!
Elkhorn Creek: Preserving a Kentucky Landscape
SATURDAY, May 14th - 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm – Elkhorn Creek: Preserving a Kentucky Landscape – IN-PERSON – hosted by Paul Sawyier Public Library at 319 Wapping Street, Frankfort, KY 40601 in the River Room and co-sponsored by Canoe Kentucky. An informational series of presentations on the history of the Elkhorn Creek and surrounding area, stream conservation, and land use preservation tools. Perfect for anyone interested in the creek, the area, stream ecology, or land conservation. A 10-15 minute intermission will take place between the second and third presentations. There will be no Q&A Session. Books and materials will be on-hand for purchase or for the public to take home.
I. Edna Lechauhanne: The Legend of the Forks of Elkhorn, by Nettie Henry Glenn, 1961. Excerpt read by John Carlton, organizer of Frankfort Heritage Week.
II. The History of a Kentucky Landscape: presented by Dr. Richard Taylor, author of Elkhorn: Evolution of a Kentucky Landscape, University Press of Kentucky, 2018.
III. Stream Conservation and the Elkhorn Creek: presented by Samantha Vogeler, supervisor of the Water Quality Certification Section with the Kentucky Division of Water of the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection.
IV. Protecting My Land and My Heritage: Tools for Rural, Agricultural, and Environmental Conservation and Preservation: presented by Jessie Wilder, Executive Director of Bluegrass Land Conservancy.
BONUS DAY! - SUNDAY, MAY 15th
Canoe the Historic Elkhorn Creek with Canoe Kentucky!
Canoe the Historic Elkhorn Creek Dr. Richard Taylor via Canoe Kentucky! – IN-PERSON, DEPENDENT ON WEATHER & WATER LEVELS – hosted by Canoe Kentucky at 7323 Peaks Mill Rd., Frankfort, KY 40601. Take what you learned yesterday at the Paul Sawyier Public Library Elkhorn Creek event and canoe the historic Elkhorn Creek on a tour led by creek historian Dr. Richard Taylor! Bring your family and friends! ***There will be no Canoe Kentucky staff on the tour.
There are two tours with Dr. Taylor that both start at 10:00 am. The "Elkhorn Creek Fun Float" tour is great for kids and any experience level. It starts at Knight's Bridge, lasts for 2-3 hours, then ends at Canoe Kentucky. The "Elkhorn Creek All Day Adventure" tour also starts at Knight's Bridge but continues where the "Fun Float" tour leaves off, has a mixture of small shoals, rapids, and long pools and takes an average of 4-5 total hours to complete.
1. Decide whether you want the short tour (Fun Float) or the long tour (all-day adventure).
2. Call Canoe Kentucky at 502.227.4492 to make your reservation. Reservations are required to ensure enough staff and amenities.
3. Read and complete the safety information provided by Canoe Kentucky.
4. Show up at Canoe Kentucky at 9:30 am on the day of the event. This will ensure the tour starts promptly at 10:00 am.
5. You will be taken to Knight's Bridge where both tours will begin simultaneously.
6. The "Fun Float" participants' tour will end at Canoe Kentucky, while the "All-Day Adventure" participants will continue on.
7. When the final tour ends, all participants will be picked up and taken back to Canoe Kentucky.
Receive a discount for any of the tours when you mention Frankfort Heritage Week while scheduling your trip with the office. Visit Canoe Kentucky's website at https://www.canoeky.com/ to learn more about making preparations for this fun day on the historic Elkhorn Creek!
***In the event of adverse weather or water levels, participants are encouraged to go to Ama on the Creek's Elkhorn Creek Clean-up Day at the old Buck Run Baptist Church on Georgetown Road from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Food and live music will be available. Co-hosts are Bluegrass Land Conservancy and Cand'Aid. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/760888561576657/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22page%22%7D]%7D