Oct.-Dec. 2009
Vol. 3, No. 3
Richmond, Ky.
Now official
Gov. Steve Beshear signs the executive
order at Richmond’s Battlefield Park
establishing a Kentucky commission for
the Civil War Sesquicentennial 2011-15.
Madison County State Representatives
(from left) Don Pasley, Harry Moberly
and Lonnie Napier witness the signing.
The Kentucky Historical Society’s Donna
Neary and Kent Whitworth, who will
coordinate Kentucky’s participation, are
behind the governor. Madison County
Judge Executive Kent Clark is second
from right. – John Perkins photo
$440,000 TEA grant goes to Richmond
Governor establishes Sesquicentennial Commission

Governor Steve Beshear has signed an executive order establishing a commission that will recognize and celebrate the pivotal role Kentucky played in the Civil War.

The order was signed and announced Sept. 2 at Battlefield Park in Richmond, Ky. and formally places the Commonwealth among those states participating in the Civil War Sesquicentennial 2011-15.

The Kentucky Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission will fall under the auspices of the Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) and will be comprised of 25 diverse members, including legislators, Kentucky college and university Civil War specialists, members of the Kentucky Heritage Council and the Kentucky Arts Council.

The commission will be tasked with recommending activities to commemorate important Civil War events in Kentucky, increasing civic awareness about the principle role of the Commonwealth in the Civil War, as well as encouraging communities and businesses to engage in activities to expand the understanding of the Civil War across the state and beyond.

Appointments to the commission will be made no later than Nov. 1 with the first meeting of the commission expected to occur in March 2010.

KHS will play a pivotal role in helping Kentucky commemorate the Civil War Sesquicentennial, having recently received a $1,050,000 grant to commemorate the occasion. KHS will use the funds to create programming and projects around the theme “Discovering Together: Kentucky’s Civil War Landscapes.” The commemoration of the Civil War Sesquicentennial – the 150th anniversary – will take place 2011 to 2015.

Gov. Beshear also announced a $440,000 Transportation Enhancement grant for improvements at the Battle of Richmond park, the historic Civil War battle site where Southern forces realized their most overwhelming victory of the entire war.

“This is an investment in our heritage as Kentuckians,” the governor said. “It’s important that we know and share the history of the events that shaped our nation.”

“Madison County’s rich Civil War heritage is widely known, with the Battle of Richmond one of the most important fought in Kentucky,” Madison County Judge Executive Kent Clark noted. “These grants will allow us to make infrastructure improvements to properly honor the battle’s legacy and educate visitors from across the Commonwealth who come to spend time at the park.”

The funding will be used to complete restoration of Battlefield Park’s Joseph Barnett-Herndon House, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. The restoration involves interior structural improvements, including upgrades to the house’s plumbing, wiring, heating and air ventilation systems.

The project also includes a series of informational displays at historic locations along U.S. 421/U.S. 25 (Battlefield Memorial Highway), such as Mt. Zion Christian Church, the Rogers House and the Palmer House. Artillery of the period also will be placed at the sites.
Articles and photos appearing on www.thekentuckycivilwarbugle.com may be used with permission. For permission, contact Bugle editor Ed Ford at fordpr@mis.net.

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