In July 2016, the Oldham County Historical Society was included in the National Park Service National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom for two Designations:
Henry Bibb Escapes/Gatewood Plantation
Since 2004 the Oldham County History Center has worked on an archaeological site outside of Bedford, Ky. The site is the excavation of the William Gatewood House where Henry Bibb was enslaved with his wife, Malinda and daughter, Francis. This was the last place in Kentucky that Henry Bibb lived before Gatewood sent Henry and his family to the slave jail in Louisville and onto the slave market in New Orleans.
J.C. Barnett Library and Archives of the Oldham County Historical Society
The Barnett Library and Archives on the Oldham County History Center campus was built in 1840 and served as the home of Amanda and James Mount. The Mounts were slave owners and the Archives has original Mount Family Papers that were donated by Lucretia Davenport who was married to a Mount descendant. Part of the collection contains documents written by Amanda Mount to hire bounty hunters to catch two “negroes” who ran away to join for the Union. In addition the archives contains volumes of court documents from Oldham County that include slave papers, hire outs and other related items.
GROUP TOURS
Throughout the year the Oldham Historical Society hosts group tours of their museum, luncheon with special guests, and Ohio River Cruises focusing on Oldham’s Underground Railroad history. To book your Group Tour, contact Oldham KY Tourism with inquiries and FREE itinerary planning assistance – including Group Perks!
Special guest Dr. Nancy Stearns Theiss, Executive Director of the Oldham Historical Society, will feature her newest book, “A Tour on the Underground Railroad along with Ohio River.” It is a group tour favorite! You can also purchase copies in the museum gift shop!