WELCOME!
It is with the greatest pleasure that we welcome you to the Friends of Kentucky History website. We trust that you will find our endeavor to preserve and promote Kentucky history helpful, interesting, and enjoyable. The board of directors of the Friends of Kentucky History feel that the launching of this website is the opening of a new chapter in the dissemination of knowledge regarding the history of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Throughout the past two centuries of Kentucky's existence as a state, there have been efforts to promote interest in the commonwealth's history. Nearly eight years before statehood, John Filson (1753-1788), a native of Pennsylvania, brought recognition to Kentucky through his now famous history, The Discovery, Settlement, and Present State of Kentucke, published in Wilmington, Delaware in 1784. This seminal work not only advertised Kentucky to the world, but it also assured the fame of one of the frontier's greatest heroes, Daniel Boone (1734-1820).
By the 1830s, a number of prominent Kentuckians wished to do more for the preservation of the commonwealth's past. In 1836, the Kentucky Historical Society was established to collect information and artifacts pertaining to the history of the state. Efforts to stimulate statewide interest in Kentucky's past often failed. The Historical Society ceased operations on more than one occasion, only to be resurrected by those who would not let the dream of a viable stewardship for the state's history become a dead letter. Nevertheless, it would not be until the 1890s that the Kentucky Historical Society would become stable enough to carry out a portion of its mission.
Another forerunner in the battle to preserve Kentucky history came with the founding of the Filson Club in 1884. Headquartered in Louisville, The Filson Club has remained a vigilant protector of the state's proud history. Both the Kentucky Historical Society and the Filson Club have done a great service in protecting Kentucky's heritage. In 1903, the Kentucky Historical Society began publication of the Register, a journal devoted to the history of the state. In 1926, after publishing a series of monographs on Kentucky history, the Filson Club began publication of the Filson Club History Quarterly. Hundreds of some of the best articles on Kentucky's past can be found in the pages of the Quarterly. Although the Quarterly is no longer in existence (see the Filson website on our links page), the efforts of the Register, and the Quarterly have done much to promote a better understanding of Kentucky history.
While there are dozens of very good local historical society publications, the board of directors of the Friends of Kentucky History has decided to offer another publication, an electronic journal of Kentucky history. It is our hope that the Friends website will add a popularity to Kentucky history, as well as provide another medium for scholars to publish their works.
Please take a moment to look over our endeavors. Let us know what you think, and how we may improve upon our mission to preserve and promote our state's wonderful history. Since 2004, we have planned to create a new, and exciting format to present Kentucky history. We also plan to address cultural, educational, and genealogical issues pertaining to the commonwealth.
We extend a warm Kentucky welcome to anyone who may be interested in helping save our state's history. We promise you that we will make every effort to fulfill our mission of preserving and promoting the commonwealth's history. In the next few days, and weeks, we will add more and more to the Friends website. If you wish to join us in this endeavor, again, we welcome you. There is no state like Kentucky. We are indeed proud of this great commonwealth, and we want all people to feel the same pride that we do.
With Kentucky best wishes,
Ron D. Bryant
Chairman,
Friends of Kentucky History