WKU News

The Kentucky Museum at WKU has released their Fall 2023 events schedule, featuring a diverse lineup of public programs and events that explore the arts, culture, and history of South Central Kentucky.

All events listed below are FREE and open to the public, and will be held at the Kentucky Museum, located at 1444 Kentucky Street in Bowling Green.

August 24 from 1pm to 8pm - Reaching Beyond Tradition invites the public to engage with Southeastern basket makers and tradition-keepers in conversation about the history, importance, and continuing evolution of this regional art form. Attendees will learn their unique stories and the roles that they play in maintaining traditions, as well as have chances to compare Kentucky’s unique tradition to those found in other parts of the Southeast, making connections that are crucial to understanding the contributions of basket making to Kentucky culture while also connecting us to the broader context of a Southeastern and global art form. The program will include four sessions, held during the afternoon and evening hours. Each session will feature a narrative stage, with discussions guided by a facilitator (5-10 prepared questions) with room for audience questions. For more information, please click here.

September 7 from 5pm to 6pm - What's the 'Lock'? The 'Keys' Needed for Unlocking the Model Minority Stereotype of Asian Americans with Dr. Nicholas Hartlep, Associate Professor of Education Studies and Robert Charles Billings Endowed Chair in Education, Berea College. A leading authority on the model minority stereotype, Dr. Hartlep will untangle the model minority stereotype of Asian/Americans in a way that will illuminate three racist elements of the model minority myth's sophistry and discursive nature, and its reliance on dog whistle politics. This talk will draw from three of his previous books: The Model Minority Stereotype: Demystifying Asian American Success, The Model Minority Stereotype Reader: Critical and Challenging Readings for the 21st Century and Killing the Model Minority Stereotype: Asian American Counter Stories and Complicity.  For more information on this and other America250 programs, please click here.

October 7 from 10am to 3pm - Hammer-In with Kentucky Forge Council. Join us at the Kentucky Museum for a free community event celebrating the metal workers' trade, sanctioned by the Appalachian Area Chapter of Blacksmiths, including forge demonstrations, tinsmithing demonstrations, aluminum Pour demonstration and make-your-own pour, opportunity to learn about joining metal working associations and getting started in the trade, and a Kentucky Folklife Program Narrative Stage. This year's special guest is Ernie Dorrill, who specializes in Renaissance and Gothic blacksmithing seen throughout Europe. Big T's Bar-be-cue food truck will be on site. For more information, please click here.

October 18 from 5pm to 6pm - Cooking in Kentucky before the Civil War with Dr. Cynthia Williams Resor, Foundation Professor, College of Education, Eastern Kentucky University. This program will explore the lives of Kentucky women, free and enslaved, as Resor prepares recipes from early nineteenth century cookbooks such as Lettice Bryan’s The Kentucky Housewife. Reviewing how women produced, preserved, and prepared food in pre-industrial kitchens, Resor explores the often-overlooked “women’s work” of the past and present and how teaching it can enhance our understanding of everyday Americans. For more information on this and other America250 programs, please click here.

November 4 from 10am to 5pm, and November 5 from 1pm to 5pm - World's Greatest Studio Tour. The Kentucky Museum is Stop #4 on this year's WGST, and will host over 25 artists and makers who will be showcasing and selling their works to the public. It is a great opportunity to do holiday shopping and find unique, one-of-a-kind gifts and original art. Artists include members of ArtWorks, Inc. and the Kentucky Forge Council. For more information, please click here.

December 2 from 11am to 2pm - Christmas in Kentucky returns with free, family-friendly fun. Big Red will be weaving his own special brand of magic, while carols are sung by the amazing Treblemakers. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be hearing Christmas wishes, along with Mr. Magic  performing several shows, and a balloon twister whipping up fun creations. Gingerbread and hot cider will be served in the Felts log house next to the Museum.