avatar

Celebrating Shelby County's Rich History with Helen McKinney

Kentucky Hidden Wonders
Kentucky Hidden Wonders
Episode • Apr 3 • 38m

Helen McKinney, Executive Director of the Shelby County Historical Society, reveals the rich historical significance of Shelby County and the many programs preserving its heritage. As a descendant of Samuel Boone (brother to Daniel and Squire), Helen brings a personal connection to the county's frontier past while leading efforts to celebrate America's upcoming 250th anniversary.

  • Historical Society programs include the popular History Matters Speaker Series with 50-75 attendees per session
  • Award-winning summer history camp engages 65-70 children annually with a waiting list for participation
  • Science Hill Female Academy celebrates its bicentennial in 2025, founded by Julia Tevis as one of the first female academies west of the Alleghenies 
  • Plans for America's 250th birthday include History Minutes videos, special programming, and a grand parade in 2026
  • The Historical Society is investigating the Simpsonville Massacre site where Confederate guerrillas killed Black Union soldiers
  • Hidden wonders like underground tunnels beneath Shelbyville and historic tombstones at the library grounds reveal unexplored aspects of local history
  • The museum is open Wednesday-Friday 10-4, Saturday 10-2 with membership starting at just $25 annually

Visit www.shelbykyhistory.org or contact director@shelbykyhistory.org to learn more about becoming a member, volunteer, or supporting their historical preservation efforts.

Send us a text

Do you know someone who would be an excellent guest on Kentucky Hidden Wonders? You can nominate them by filling out the form linked HERE or going to visitshelbyky.com/podcast and scrolling to the bottom of the page.

🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is presented by ShelbyKY Tourism.

🥃 Plan a visit to Your Bourbon Destination® at www.visitshelbyky.com. Located in the heart of central Kentucky and less than an hour from Louisville and Lexington, ShelbyKY is the perfect Kentucky getaway. Complete with two great distilleries, action-packed outdoor adventures, and the best vacation rentals near Louisville, put ShelbyKY at the top of your list when planning a Kentucky Bourbon Trail® trip, romantic couples retreat, or a whole-family vacation.

🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is hosted by Janette Marson and Mason Warren and edited by Mason Warren.

📲 Follow Kentucky Hidden Wonders:

© ShelbyKY Tourism, All Rights Reserved.

Switch to the Fountain App