MUSEUM & WALKING TOURS

FRIDAY, May 10th from 5:30-7:30 pm – Canoe Kentucky – Join Franklin County and Peaks Mill historian and musician Lucian Parker, author of A History of Peaks Mill Revisited (2006), as he leads Canoe Kentucky’s first Community Engagement event of 2024 and talks about the community of Peaks Mill from the Ice Age to the present. He'll also touch on topics such as Paul Sawyier paintings, buffalo roads, the depth of Elkhorn Creek, where previous buildings were located and more. As an added attraction he's asking that folks who attend and have a musical instrument, please bring it. Join in with Lucian on the fiddle for some musical fun around the campfire in Peaks Mill Memorial Gardens after the event. The tour will begin at Canoe Kentucky’s retail shop. Upon arrival, participants should gather at the Peaks Mill Memorial Gardens, the CKY parking zone. Cost is $15 per person. Pre-register for this event online by clicking "book now" here: https://www.canoeky.com/education/community-education-programs or contact Canoe Kentucky at 502.227.4492. 

SATURDAY, May 11th from 10:00-11:00 am – Kentucky Historical Society - Did you know Frankfort was the only state capital to be captured by the Confederacy during the Civil War? Join KHS staff for a Civil War walking tour of downtown Frankfort. Learn about the state capital's history during the conflict and its aftermath, the prominent leaders involved, and the military clashes that raged around the city. Location: Meet at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, Commonwealth Hall, 100 Broadway St., Frankfort, KY 40601; Cost: $10 non-member; $5 member; Tour will begin at the Old State Capitol. Register here: https://history.ky.gov/events/civil-war-frankfort-a-walking-tour-2  

Tuesday – Saturday at 1:00 pm. – Kentucky Historical Society - Guided by Kentucky Historical Society staff, visitors will explore the State Arsenal’s history, architectural features, and unique artifacts. The role of the Arsenal in the Civil War era will be highlighted, including its capture by Confederate forces in 1862 and its centrality in the Union defense of Frankfort against John Hunt Morgan’s final raid in 1864. This tour convenes at the Kentucky Military History Museum Duration: 30 minutes. General admission applies. 

Tuesday - Saturday at 2:00 pm. – Kentucky Historical Society – A National Historic Landmark. Guided by Kentucky Historical Society staff, visitors will explore the Old State Capitol building’s history, unique architectural features and works of art. We’ll also delve into the politics and personalities of 19th and early 20th century leaders who walked these halls and the major issues they debated, such as slavery, response to the Civil War, women’s rights, and civil rights. This tour convenes at the Old State Capitol. Duration: 30 minutes. General admission applies.

Tuesday – Saturday at 3:00 pm. – Kentucky Historical Society - Guided by museum staff, visitors will explore “A Kentucky Journey,” the cornerstone exhibit of the Thomas D Clark Center for Kentucky History. Guests will learn about key events in Kentucky’s history through interactive components of the exhibit and unique artifacts such as a cast of Daniel Boone’s skull and President Abraham Lincoln’s pocket watch. This tour convenes at the Admissions Desk at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, Duration: 30 minutes. General admission applies.  

Monday – Saturday at 11:30 am and 1:00 pm. – Liberty Hall Historic Site – A National Historic Landmark.  Liberty Hall, the 1796 home of one of Frankfort’s most important families, John & Margaretta Brown. Guests will tour this early Kentucky mansion and learn about John Brown’s civic action on national, state, and local levels. Guides also share Indigenous histories of Frankfort, enslavement at Liberty Hall, and the many generations of Brown family descendants who made their mark on the commonwealth. Guests are encouraged to visit the three rotating exhibitions on display at Liberty Hall and the Orlando Brown House, shop in the Museum Store, and spend time in the nearly 5 acre public garden. For tickets and more information, visit www.libertyhall.org. 

ANY DAY at ANY TIME. – City of Frankfort Planning Department, Architectural Review Board, and Capital City Museum – The story of Frankfort, Kentucky, is best told by exploring our community. This self-guided walking tour introduces you to one of Frankfort’s earliest neighborhoods – The Corner in Celebrities – named for the 20th Century publication about the neighborhood by Franklin County native Alice E. Trabue. The tour covers about four acres and includes the former residences of two U.S. Supreme Court justices, two federal cabinet officers, nine U.S. senators, seven Kentucky governors, six Congressmen, seven foreign representatives, and were three U.S. Navy admirals were born. In 1971, this neighborhood was one of Kentucky’s earliest historic district designations to the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the 6% of federal historic districts in the state to be listed with national significance. For these reasons, as part of Frankfort’s Special Historic Zoning District, the neighborhood is subject to design review of the Architectural Review Board. To get started on the tour, go to: https://www.frankfortwalkingtours.com/ Questions? Visit Capital City Museum Mon-Sat from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm at 325 Ann Street, Frankfort, KY 40601 or call 502.696.0607.  

FRIDAY at 2:00 pm – The Frankfort-Franklin County Tourist & Convention Commission will begin offering guided walking tours showcasing the public art in historic downtown Frankfort beginning May 10, 2024. Tours will be offered on Friday’s at 2pm in May, June, September and October and at 10am on Fridays in July and August. Tours are 60 minutes long and about one mile in length. Join us and learn about the artists, sculptures and murals located in the downtown area. Come see, touch and learn about the art, the artists and the stories. Following each tour, the art gallery inside the Grand Theatre will be open from 3 pm to 5pm. Entrance to the gallery is free and open to guest on the walking tours as well as the public.