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Everyday at the Oldham County History Center

Admission to the Oldham County History Center gives you access to the hands-on discovery museum with special emphasis on the Underground Railroad. The museum also features exhibits on WWII Veterans, The Kentucky State Reformatory, and 20th Century silent filmmaker D. W. Griffith.

FULL 2025 EVENTS

Upcoming Events

There are no upcoming Events at this time.

The History Center includes:

The ORIGINAL ROOT CELLAR from the 1840s Risley Home.

 

The ROB MORRIS CHAPEL EDUCATIONAL BUILDING which was the original 1880 Presbyterian Church where Dr. Rob Morris (Poet Laureate of Freemasonry 1818-1888) attended.

 

The J. C. BARNETT LIBRARY & ARCHIVES in the JAMES AND AMANDA MOUNT HOUSE with special facility designation from the National Park Service National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.

 

The MILDRED WHEELER HORTON COLONIAL GARDEN located behind the J.C. Barnett Library & Archives highlights heirloom herbs, flowers, and vegetables.

 

The DAHLGREN PIONEER BARN features a colonial fireplace, bread oven and printing press.

The PEYTON SAMUEL HEAD FAMILY MUSEUM – Interactive displays that take visitors on a journey of Oldham County’s history beginning with the first interaction of frontiersman with Native Americans and ending with the mid-20th Century. Emphasis on the Ohio River as a Gateway to the Western Frontier, the Underground Railroad, and the journey of conflicts between the North and South. Exhibits discuss Henry Bibb, Gov. Richard Oglesby, Annie Fellows Johnston, Dr. Rob Morris, D. W. Griffith, the Kentucky State Reformatory, Ashbourne Farm, Hermitage Farm, local military veterans, and more!

Exhibits at the Oldham County History Center

  • Road Warrior Sculpture: WWII Veteran Dr. Bruce Heilman
  • Black Trail Blazers Augmented Reality Tour
  • The Mount Parlor UGRR Room
  • Antebellum Oldham County
  • Hermitage Farm
  • The Little Colonel
  • WWII Exhibit and Veterans Oral History Project
  • Kentucky State Reformatory Exhibit
  • The Oldham County History Center Campus
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  • There are four historic buildings on the history center campus:
  • 1840 J.C. Barnett Library and Archives
  • 1840 Peyton Samuel Head Family Museum
  • 1840 Root Cellar
  • 1880 Rob Morris Chapel Education Building
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  • In 2018 the Dahlgren Barn was added to the campus. A Dog trot style barn with a Williamsburg designed, hand hewn limestone fireplace, this event center is a special feature for programs and events.
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Library and Genealogical Research

The J.C. Barnett Library and Archives houses family papers and cemetery information for genealogical research. These papers contain deeds and records that include information dating to Oldham County families beginning in 1824. There is an $8 research fee per day for individuals conducting research. There is an additional charge for any photocopies made. The Oldham County History Center also offers research conducted by staff at the rate of $20 per hour with a one hour minimum. There is a fee for photocopies and postage of researched materials.

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General admission

Seniors, Military, Children 5-17: $6

4 and under: FREE

Members: FREE

 

National Park Service National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Site

 

National Park Service Junior Ranger Programs & National Park Service Passport Site

 

PASSPORT STAMPS AVAILABLE

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Our Latest News and Press Releases

Living Treasures

Steve Greenwell, April 2024 Living Treasure

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My mom, Mary Russell Greenwell, and dad, Richard, are both from Raywick, in Marion County, a Catholic community. We all…
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Activities for Kids • Uncategorized

Children’s Tea Party with Delia Webster

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Press Release January 27, 2024) Children’s Tea Party with Delia Webster “Celebrating Black History Month” February 17, 2024, 11:00 a.m.…
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Uncategorized

Living Treasures Reception Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, 1 p.m. Oldham County History Center

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Press Release, January 12, 2024 Living Treasures Reception Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, 1 p.m. Oldham County History Center Rob Morris…
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Uncategorized

200 Years of Stories: Celebrating Oldham County’s Bicentennial

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10 Fun Facts About Oldham County’s Early History from the Oldham County History Center 1. The Commander of the U.S.…
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Become a member of the History Center!

Get discounts on events and NO RESEARCH FEES!

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Your geneaology partner

Oldham County History Center

We have many visitors from all over the United States and different countries that visit our Cemeteries and Archives to research their ancestors. The Oldham County History Center’s collections contain some very extensive family files that include personal stories, genealogical information, copies of deeds and wills, scrapbooks and diaries. 

The Oldham County History Center is proud to be a​

National Parks Service Designation

The Oldham County History Center has 2 of only 9 Underground Railroad designations in Kentucky – one being for their extensive archives. These sites are the Henry Bibb Escapes/Gatewood Plantation and the J. C. Barnett Library and Archives of the Oldham County Historical Society.

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The following Foundations, Businesses, Groups, Local Government, and Individuals help sustain and support facilities, projects and programs in addition to their memberships at the Oldham County History Center:

2021-3-OC-History-Center-Logo-STROKE
OC Bicentennial FINAL
UndergroundRRSeal-No-Background
VoicesandVotesLogoCMYK
Network to freedom
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