Museum Newsletter - 9 May 2006

Friends of the Bullitt County History Museum
E-Newsletter
May 9, 2006 (Volume 2, Number 7)

Dear Friends,

Special Note: Ken Blair's Presentation on Iron Furnaces Postponed

>> Ken Blair's presentation on Iron Furnaces, that had been announced in this newsletter for May 13 at the Falls of the Ohio has been postponed. I'll let you know when the next date is scheduled.

Museum Activity.

>>Museum booth to be at Mt. Washington May 12 & 13.

We will have a museum informational booth at the Mt. Washington Spring Festival May 12 and 13, and the Ancestral Trails Book Fair in E-Town June 10. If you can help set up, take down, or staff the booth at either of these events, please let me know.

>>New Volunteers

I am happy to report two new volunteers at the museum.

Dennis Shaffner is a retired art teacher from Bullitt Central High School who is known for his own artwork. His first day working at the museum sometimes looked like a high school reunion. It seemed like everyone who came in the courthouse had had him for a teacher and loved him. Dennis has already soloed at the museum and will be doing so again this week. Plus, he will be a big help to us with our display work. Welcome Dennis!!

Thad Cronen stopped by a week or two ago and offered to volunteer with us. Thad's energy and enthusiasm is contagious. He worked with me all day early this week mounting a huge photo map (more about that later) in Display Room B. He is loving to learn about history and what our museum offers. He stopped by today and again offered to help whenever I can use him. Thank you Thad, and welcome to you!

>>We have installed a wonderful wall photo/map of Bullitt County.

It's been in development for many months and it has finally arrived!! Thanks so much to Michael Soto of Kentucky's Commonwealth Office of Technology, Division of Geographic Information, the museum has received a 12 foot by 12 foot up-to-date aerial photograph/map of Bullitt County. This floor-to-ceiling map shows in great detail, and with 3-D terrain effects, a photo that looks like you are way up in the air on a clear day looking down. Additionally, it shows county boundary lines, roads, and streams. The area covered stretches from the Louisville International Airport in the north to Lebanon Junction in the south; West Point in the west to Bardstown and the furthest tip of Bullitt County in the East.

It is just plain great. Everyone is oohing and ahhing about it. Step back and look at it from a distance and you get a much better perspective of our area than anything I have seen. Step up close and you might find your own house! It will be a great aid in telling stories and facts about the county.

I tell you what. I have had the best experiences working with state offices. A few months ago the state transportation offices provided the museum with a working highway tollbooth display that remains a real hit. And now the Geographic Information folks have provided this fine addition to the museum for only the cost of the paper. Great people, all.

I am setting up a news announcement ceremony to officially announce this new addition to our "Rivers, Roads, and Railroads" display, but I wanted to tell you about it now.

Another Donation:

>>Civil war book

Author Andrew White, along with Charlie Long, have donated to the museum a copy of White's book, Louisville on the Fingertips of an Invasion, Civil War Skirmishes and Engagements in Jefferson County, Kentucky During Braxton Bragg's 1862 Confederate Invasion. It should add to our knowledge of activity in Bullitt County during the Civil War.

Announcements:

>>Wilderness Road coming to members.

The next mailing of the Bullitt County Genealogical Society's award-winning quarterly, "Wilderness Road" will be going out soon to members of the Society. If you are not already a member, this would be a good time to join. The quarterly alone is worth the membership dues. Details are at the end of this newsletter.

>> Kentucky Almanac for sale.

The premier edition of Clark's Kentucky Almanac and Book of Facts is available for sale at the museum. This thick compilation of information about Kentucky and its counties is a very handy book to have. Through a special arrangement, the museum has the book in stock for $20 including tax. For that price they must be picked up at the museum office (no shipping). We will also have them at our festival booths.

For Your Information...

This web site is not exactly history but it can be helpful in the study of it. The Courier-Journal newspaper recently mentioned an internet site that is resplendent with data and maps that show the distribution of different faiths and religions in America. It is really quite interesting and easy to use. Try wwwvalpo.edu/geomet/geo/courses/geo200/religion.html.

It's been a very busy couple of weeks my friends, so that is all for now.

Thank you for being a Friend of Bullitt County History.

David Strange
Bullitt County History Museum
Executive Director
Museum Phone: 502-921-0161
E-Mail address: David.Strange@BullittCountyHistory.org