Oldham County: Stories from the River’s Edge
New book on Oldham County’s History to be released Late February
Like many counties along the Mason-Dixon Line, Oldham County was an area of divided loyalties: an important corridor for slave trafficking as well as part of the Underground Railroad for slaves who chose to run away. It was also a gateway for pioneers as they moved westward to a new frontier. Through the efforts of the Oldham County Historical Society, the stories and tales of this rich history have been preserved through court documents, old newspapers and other artifacts in Oldham County. Dr. Nancy Stearns Theiss, Executive Director of the Oldham County Historical Society, describes the muddy waters of the county’s beginnings, through turbulent times and along the currents of progress. The Oldham County History Center is currently taking pre-orders for the book. The book is published by The History Press, Inc., 18 Percy Street, Charleston, SC, 29403, www.historypress.net
Other Events Planned in conjunction with the book release:
From the River’s Edge: Multimedia Art Contest.
The Oldham County History Center is hosting a multimedia art contest Feb 15-April 1 in conjunction with the release of the history center’s new book: Oldham County: Stories from the River’s Edge. We are looking for art pieces that depict various perspectives of the Ohio River and may include: Photographs, water and oil paintings, charcoal and ink sketches, and sculpture. The Ohio River has many meanings as a passage of culture and history that include Native Americans, pioneers, the underground railroad, recreation, natural history, commerce and as a resource for human consumption and pollution. Whatever your view of the Ohio River, we want your perspective through the lens of artwork.
The artwork must be original and personally created by the entrant. We request that all photographic pieces be printed in an 8” x 10” format. Oil, watercolor, charcoal and pen and inks should be no larger than 24” by 30”. Sculpture pieces are acceptable for either indoor or outdoor settings. People who are submitting sculptures need to check with the history center regarding size and space before entering the contest. Art pieces must be labeled on the back with the entrants’ name, age (and grade if a student) address and telephone number. The artwork will be on display from April 15 through August 1, 2010.
Cash prizes will be awarded in the following categories:
Elementary Students (grades K-5)
Middle School Students (grades 6-8)
High School Students (grades 9-12)
Adults (ages 18-59)
Adults (ages 60+)
1st Place winners in each age category will receive $50.00
2nd Place winners in each age category will receive $25.00
3rd Place winners in each age category will receive $10.00
From The River’s Edge: The Primitive Artwork of Breck Morgan: March 27 through August 1, 2010. The jacket cover for Oldham County: Stories from the River’s Edge features scenes created by Breck Morgan. An Oldham County native with ancestoral roots in the county, Breck enjoys creating pieces that depict scenes of Oldham County in its early history. The scene from the book shows Westport in early years, with the courthouse and taverns, steamboat and Eighteen Mile Island. Breck’s favorite time period is 1840 although he admits that the scenes he creates are not based on total “accuracy” of county history but include fanciful additions, with structures and buildings of more recent times depicted in the scenes.
From the River’s Edge: Special Gift Shop Items
The Oldham County History Center museum gift shop will feature new special items to promote Oldham County: Stories from the River’s Edge. There will be two new Cat’s Meow pieces: The Riverboat and The Railroad Train. Both wooden decorative pieces will include a small quote from the book that identifies a particular story with the special piece. In addition there will be notecards available by Breck Morgan that include the scenes from the jacket cover of the book. Other themed items will be available. Gift shop items to go on sale with the exhibit opening, From the River’s Edge: Primitive Art of Breck Morgan on March 27, 2010. |
For information contact:
Oldham County History Center
106 N. Second Ave.
LaGrange, KY 40031
502-222-0826, email: ochstryctr@aol.com
Website: oldhamcountyhistoricalsociety.org
Free Admission
Hours of Operation:
Tues, Wed, Thurs and Saturday 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.
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