Kentucky Humanities

Find out more about these and other upcoming events at https://kyhumanities.org/events/.

On June 14, 1777—less than a year after Betsy Ross was reportedly commissioned by General George Washington to create the first American flag—the Second Continental Congress approved a resolution defining the nation’s flag. It declared:

"Resolved, That the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation."

A century later, on June 14, 1877, the United States marked the first official nationwide observance of Flag Day to commemorate the adoption of this resolution by the Continental Congress.

🎭Join us at the library on Tuesday June 16th at 6:00 PM for a special Kentucky Humanities Kentucky Chautauqua© featuring Mary Todd Lincoln: Mrs. President: A Nation Divided portrayed by Catherine Gaffney. You won’t want to miss this chance to see history come to life!
Kentucky Humanities
This program was funded in part by Kentucky Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

📣 Save the date! 📣

Kentucky Humanities presents Our American Story: Kentucky’s Voices, a statewide series of programs and discussions that invite communities across the Commonwealth to share their unique traditions and experiences with one another and with the nation. Together, these stories help tell a broader story of what it means to be a Kentuckian, reflecting on the past 250 years and looking toward the future. This event is part of the national initiative By the People: Conversations Beyond 250, a series of community-driven programs.

Join us as we celebrate America's 250th Birthday by welcoming Betsy Smith as she dresses in the character of Jemima Boone and tells the story of her life and how she was kidnapped by Native Americans in 1776. All ages are welcome at this event, scheduled for Monday, July 13th, at 5:00 pm at the NCPL New Haven Branch.

America250 America 250KY

DEADLINE APPROACHING | NEH's Media Projects grant program is accepting applications!

Deadline to apply is June 25, 2026. Learn more: https://shorturl.at/Txf7O

Join us at the Highlands DO!zeum to experience the beauty, energy, and traditions of Native American culture through a live dance presentation by performers from the Kentucky American Indian Resource & Community Center (KAIRCC).

Join us for a trip back in time to relive a moment in Kentucky's history. Tune in for Think History each weekday on 88.9 WEKU, WKMS, WMMT FM, WKU Public Radio, and 90.3FM-WMKY (Morehead State Public Radio).

Not in the listening areas? Miss an episode? You can find them all at https://kyhumanities.org/programs/think-history/

Mark your calendars for Saturday July 11th at 11 a.m.!
Come to the library & learn all about Daniel Boone in this re-enactment presentation with Kevin Hardesty!
This program was funded in part by Kentucky Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Meet the Kentucky Chautauqua® Lineup: Jemima Boone

A pioneer. A survivor. A symbol of the early frontier.

Through the Kentucky Chautauqua, Jemima Boone’s story comes to life—inviting audiences to experience the danger, resilience, and determination of a young woman whose capture and rescue became one of Kentucky’s most legendary frontier tales.

Bring this gripping drama to your community and meet history face to face.

Learn more at https://kyhumanities.org/programs/chautauqua/

Calling all KY Artists & Writers: Submit to the New Kentucky Home Arts and Writing Contest! 🎨📝 To celebrate Kentucky History Month, Kentuckians of all ages are invited to submit artwork, photos, videos, poetry and short essays via social media by June 18.
Governor Andy Beshear and First Lady Britainy Beshear provided three inspirational prompts:
❤️ What do you love most about your New Kentucky Home?
💡 What moment or person in Kentucky’s history inspires you?
💭 What is your dream for Kentucky?

Kentuckians can post photos or videos of your work on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube (or multiple platforms).

To join the contest:
📸 Post your work (or a photo of your work);
🏷 Tag the Governor (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube) and First Lady (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube) in your post;
➡ Include the hashtags and in your post;
🎒If you are a student, also include a hashtag with your age group: , , , or .
⏰Contest entries must be posted by midnight local time on June 18, 2026.
🏆Winners in each age group will be announced throughout the month of July.
Each winner will receive a complimentary two-night stay at Kentucky State Parks and a complimentary one-year membership to the Kentucky Historical Society.