Celebrate Native American Heritage on Saturday afternoon!

November is American Indian Heritage Month and our Play-date with History workshop will feature an array of Native American-themed activities. Beginning at 12 p.m. and concluding at 2 p.m. Play-date will allow children to make coil pots, dream catchers, listen to Native American legends, and perform authentic dances. Play-date With History part of our ongoing educational programming is free and will take place in Clay-Davis Hall. For any questions, please contact Debra Watkins, Museum Manager at debra@lexingtonhistorymuseum.org.

This Day in History — November 19

On November 19, 1898, Don Carlos Buell, Civil War general, died in Paradise, Kentucky. A West Point graduate, the Lowell, Ohio native distinguished himself during the Mexican War, rising to the rank of major. At the beginning of the Civil War, Buell was an early organizer of the Army of the Potomac and went on to lead the Army of the Ohio (which included Kentucky’s Union troops.) He was able to capture Nashville with little opposition. His troops participated in the Battle of Shiloh and the Siege of Corinth, but he is most noted for helping secure Kentucky as Union territory for the remainder of the Civil War.

On Valentine’s Day 1862 Buell entered and took control of Bowling Green as Rebel forces under the command of General Albert S. Johnson retreated toward Nashville. By the fall, Confederate General Braxton Bragg had invaded Kentucky. Buell and his army had to defend Louisville, Kentucky and important transportation route of the Ohio River. His troops surprised Bragg at Bardstown, forcing him to divide his army, before engaging at Perryville on October 8, 1862. Buell cut off Bragg’s line of communication by moving to Danville as Bragg retreated to Harrodsburg. Bragg then retreated south out of Kentucky via the Cumberland Gap, solidifying Union control over the Commonwealth. Buell was scrutinized for preventing Bragg’s escape out of Kentucky, which called into question his loyalty. He resigned his commission on June 1, 1864 and made a permanent move to Kentucky.

In 1880, Governor Luke Blackburn appointed him one of the twelve members of the first board of trustees at the Agricultural and Mechanical College, formerly part of Transylvania University, now the University of Kentucky. Buell was appointed state pension agent and held this position until 1890. He died on November 19, 1898 in Paradise, Kentucky and was buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis.

This Day in History — November 18

On November 18, 1790, George Robertson, jurist and congressman was born in Mercer County. He was educated in Mercer County before enrolling at Transylvania University, then studying law under Martin D. Hardin in Frankfort and Samuel McKee in Lancaster before being admitted to the bar in September 1809. He practiced in Lancaster and served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1817 to 1821. He supported the 1820 Missouri Compromise, an agreement between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions in the U.S. Congress involving regulation of slavery in the new western territories.

Robertson served briefly as Kentucky’s secretary of state and in 1828 accepted appointment to the Commonwealth’s court of appeals, most of the time as chief justice. Resigning from the court in 1843, he practiced law in Lexington, often as a defense lawyer. One of his most famous defense cases was the trial of Abner Baker, who was convicted for the murder of Daniel Bates in Manchester in July 1845. He was unable to obtain a pardon for Baker from Governor William Owsley. Robertson was an instructor of law at his alma mater, Transylvania University from 1834 until 1857.

At the age of seventy-four, he was elected to the Kentucky court of appeals, where he served until a stroke forced his resignation in 1871. In this time serving on the court, published some radical opinions, such as drunkenness as a defense against a murder charged, which detracted from his otherwise favorable image. Robertson died on May 16, 1874 and was buried in the Lexington Cemetery.

The Bluegrass Historian Podcast — November 15

Who was Lexington’s most famous madam? How did Mechanic Street get its name? This week’s episode will answer these questions as we take a look at the life of Belle Brezing in the first installment of our new series on Lexington People. We will also discuss upcoming museum events and museum news. After a long hiatus, The Bluegrass Historian podcast is back!

Narrator: Natasha Collier
Producer: Jamie Millard
Program Director: Natasha Collier
Research: Debra Watkins, Jamie Millard, Natasha Collier

Spend Thursday celebrating “Christmas in the Camps” and discussing the Breckinridges!

This Thursday, the Lexington History Museum will open its Christmas exhibit “Christmas in the Camps” — a depiction of how the four Christmases, 1861-1864, were observed by the soldiers in the field during the War Between the States. The exhibit features contemporary diary entries from soldiers on both sides as well as historic artifacts and authentic reproductions, describing how the men reconciled their warlike status with their religious traditions. “Christmas in the Camps” will open Thursday, November 19 at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception and will run through January 4. Admission is free and the exhibit is open to the public.

Also on Thursday, State Historian Dr. James Klotter will present “The Breckinridges of Kentucky” at 7:30 p.m. The Breckinridges of Kentucky are one of the two most important families in Kentucky history. Well-known members range from presidential candidate John C. Breckinridge, who served as the nation’s youngest vice president, to educational and religious leader Robert J. Breckinridge to newspaper editor Desha Breckinridge to health-care advocate and founder of the Frontier Nursing Service Mary Breckinridge, among others. Dr. Klotter, Professor of History at Georgetown College, has long studied the family and their place in the state’s story. That work includes his book, The Breckinridges of Kentucky. In this talk he will discuss what lessons he has learned over the years from that study.

Join us as we kickoff the Christmas season at the Lexington History Museum. Located at 215 W. Main St., The Lexington History Museum is open Friday-Monday, Noon-4 p.m. It also opens early Saturdays at 10 a.m. Admission is free. For more information call 859-254-0530 or visit www.LexingtonHistoryMuseum.org. The Lexington History Museum engages all people in the discovery and interpretation of the history of Lexington, Ky., and the Bluegrass Region.

This Day in History — November 15

On November 15, 1843, the Campbell-Rice Debate, a forensic marathon on the comparative religious beliefs of the Christian Church and Presbyterian denominations took place in Lexington. Participants included Alexander Campbell, president of Bethany College in West Virginia who represented the Christian Church, Reverend Nathan Rice of Paris speaking for the Presbyterian Church and Henry Clay, in between terms in the U.S. Senate who agreed to be moderator. The debate was held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Main Street Christian Church and created religious fervor in Lexington. Between November 15 and December 1 when the debate concluded, 130 speeches were given on baptism, the conversion experience, and church creeds. Campbell was well versed at debating his choice of religion, and had done so for twenty-three years. His supporters were emotionally expressive and many were baptized by immersion during his speeches. After the debate, Rice became pastor of churches in New York, St. Louis and Chicago. The Presbyterians published a 912 page record of the debate.

This Day in History — October 29, 1921

On October 29, 1921, the Centre Praying Colonels defeated Harvard in what has been called the “upset of the [20th] century in college football.” In 1921, Harvard was king of the gridiron. Undefeated since 1918, the Ivy-league team beat Centre at home in 1920. When the Harvard captain offered Bo McMillin, Centre’s captain, the game ball, McMillin declined by saying, “We’ll be back next year to take it home with us.” The following year, a rematch was scheduled, again at Harvard. The game was a tie, 0-0, at halftime. Centre was able to score the only touchdown of the game and Bo McMillin rushed to the endzone. The Praying Colonel’s defense was able to hold off the Crimson’s offense to prevent a Harvard touchdown. MIT students who had come to cheer against Harvard stormed the field, lifting McMillin onto their shoulders as they tore down the goal posts. News of C6H0 reached Danville and Centre students reveled in it. They painted C6H0 on everything in sight, even a few cows. The last remaining evidence of this is at the campus post office, a reminder of the glory days of college football.

On the 75th anniversary of the game, Centre challenged Harvard to a rematch, but they declined.

Join us for “Scary Night at the Museum” THIS Saturday!

Saturday, October 24 from 5-7, the Lexington History Museum will be holding its 2nd Annual “Scary Night at the Museum”. The event is free, open to the public and will offer both scary and non-scary activities for families. Ghosts of Kentucky’s past may just be coming to haunt the hallowed halls of the Lexington History Center, located at 215 W. Main Street. A “Haunted Museum” attraction will be sure to chill guests to the bones! There will be Appalachian “Haint” tales by Octavia Sexton, storyteller as well as a costume contest for all ages! For our younger guests, and those who enjoy Halloween, but not haunted attractions, we will offer spooky craft activities and games in the Clay-Davis Hall.

Scary Night at the Museum
October 24, 5-7
Haunted Museum tours, Scary Storytelling, Crafts, Games and Refreshments

Thank you to donations by community partners: Target, Wal-Mart, Kroger, Cinemark Theaters, Qdoba, and Babycakes!

This Day in History — October 4

Few animals can capture the attention of Americans quite like a Thoroughbred horse. Horse racing puts these majestic creatures on a national stage as spectators from all over cheer on their favorite picks. One of the most beloved Thoroughbred horses in American racing history is Secretariat. Secretariat, sired by Bold Ruler out of Somethingroyal, was foaled on March 29, 1970, at the Meadow Stud in Doswell, Virginia. The foal was won by Penney (Chenery) Tweedy in a coin toss for Bold Ruler’s stud fee and he was trained by Canadian Lucien Laurin and mainly ridden by fellow Canadian jockey Ron Turcotte, along with apprentice jockey Paul Feliciano (first two races), and veteran Eddie Maple (last race). Secretariat would go on to race for Tweedy’s Meadow Stud and stood approximately 16 hands 2 inches tall, and weighed 1,175 pounds in his racing prime.

Though he was a very accomplished horse, he didn’t even win his first race! He finished fourth in six furlongs at the Aqueduct in New York. Nearly two weeks later, he would win his second race at that very track and would go on to win his next seven. At three years old, in 1973, he was named Horse of the Year. He lost the race just before the Kentucky Derby, but that didn’t stop bettors from giving him 3-2 odds over Sham. On May 5, 1973, Secretariat won the ninety-ninth Kentucky Derby in 1:59 2/5, setting the current derby record for the distance of 1 1/4-miles. Two weeks later he won the Preakness, and on June 9, 1973, he won the third race of the Triple Crown, the Belmont, by thirty-one lengths, setting a world record of 2:24 for a mile and a half — a record that stands today. Secretariat became the first Triple Crown winner since Citation had won all three races twenty-five years prior.

Secretariat was retired in 1974. He went on to sire over three hundred sons and daughters and his blood flows through many notable race winners, such as 2004 Derby and Preakness winner Smarty Jones. In 1989, he developed a very painful hoof condition and the decision was made on October 4 to euthanize him. He was buried at Claiborne Farm in Bourbon County, Kentucky and was mourned by millions there. His legacy continues with celebrations in Bourbon County and the filming of a new Disney film entitled Secretariat.

This Day in History — September 20

On September 20, 1863, Benjamin Hardin Helm, a Brigadier General for the Confederate States of America, was killed in the Battle of Chickamauga in Georgia. Hardin was born June 2, 1831 to John Larue Helm and Lucinda Barbour Hardin in Bardstown, Kentucky. His received his early education at the Elizabethtown Seminary and Kentucky Military Institute in Frankfort. It became apparent early on that Benjamin would be successful in the military. He enrolled at the United States Military Academy at West Point on July 1, 1847, where in graduated ninth in his class in 1851. He served as Second Lieutenant in the 2d Regular U.S. Cavalry on the Texas frontier at Fort Lincoln for six months and then resigned from the Army at his father’s request.

Helm continued his education by studying law at the University of Louisville, graduating in 1853 and attending Harvard Law school for an advanced course before settling in Elizabethtown to practice with his father until 1856. From law, the natural progression was to seek political office and in 1855 he was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives, where he served one term. For three years following, Benjamin Helm served as commonwealth attorney for the 3rd district.

Helm married Emilie Todd, the half-sister of Mary Todd Lincoln on March 20, 1856. In 1860, Abraham Lincoln offered his brother-in-law the position of paymaster of the Union army with the rank of major. Helm declined the offer, however, and turned to the Confederacy and began recruiting. He was appointed colonel of the 1st Regiment of the Kentucky Confederate Cavalry in September 1861. Helm served bravely for two years until he was struck down in the Battle of Chickamauga.