Civil War Sesquicentennial Meeting
March 23, 2009
Held at the Hardin County History Museum
Attendees: Micah Trent, Matt Rector, Susan McCrobie, Tim Walker, Christy Pritchard,
Kenny Tabb, D. Dee Shaw, Charlie Thurman, and Sherry Murphy
Downtown Statues
Susan McCrobie gave the group an update on the Downtown Statues project. The
first statue to be commissioned will be of West Point graduate Gen. Benjamin Hardin Helm and the second will be of the Navy’s first black master diver Carl Brashear. Statues three and four are officially
undetermined, but discussion steered the group to the probability of the third being Gen. George Armstrong Custer and the
fourth possibly representing the important women of Hardin County in the form of a fountain monument.
On behalf of the Hardin County History Museum, Susan has submitted a grant application
for $5,000 to the KY Arts Council. The estimate for the first statue is $47,000. The Tourism Bureau and the Hardin County
Historical Society committed $5,000 each toward the project, which will more than meet the match for the Arts Council grant.
Micah mentioned another possible grant through The Sons of Union Veterans ranging from $1,500-$2,000. Micah will look into
the possibility and report back to the committee. Matt also mentioned Military Academy funding since Helm and Custer were
both West Point graduates. Susan will research that possibility and report back.
History Museum’s Outdoor History Walk-Through
Susan reported the project is scheduled to be completed in time for the State
Theater’s opening weekend, May 8th. A group of Civil War enthusiast in California will
help with the promotion of this project through their site, www.civilwartraveler.com.
Civil War Trail Signs
Susan reported Roger Stapleton of the KY Heritage Council has enlisted Camp Nelson
staff members to assist with this project.
H. C. History Museum on Brown Directional Signage
Sherry reported that the Tourism Bureau has already produced the History Museum’s
brown sign panels but are waiting until a Public Works Department employee can switch-out the panels on the brown directional
signs. She stated this might take a little while longer since the Public Works Dept. continues to be very busy with ice storm
debris removal.
Central KY Civil War Web Site
Sherry inquired if anyone had any new updates on the inclusion of Hardin County
on Central KY Civil War web site. Susan said the last information she received was that each county included is required to
pay $500 annually for maintenance. Sherry spoke to Stuart Sanders at the last Lincoln Sites meeting about becoming a part
of the site. By his suggestion, Sherry will contact Mary Kozak, who is the new Chairperson for that initiative, to inquire
what they will need from our group.
Lincoln Wedding Site
Susan reported a new marker will be unveiled on April 15th
at the Kerr office building on Main Street. The marker is to acknowledge where the house once stood where Thomas Lincoln married
Sarah Bush Johnston. Susan reported that a flower garden would be placed in front of the marker, to the right-hand side of
the building, beside the alleyway entrance.
KY Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission
Sherry distributed copies of Senate Bill 129 which establishes the KY Civil War
Sesquicentennial Commission. She stated the bill should be signed into law very soon.
Marion County History Museum
Susan and Tim announced that the Hardin County History Museum has agreed to donate
some older display cases to the newly proposed Marion Co. History Museum.
Lincoln Cabins at Freeman Lake
Sherry reported that she had met with Warren Greer with the KY Lincoln Bicentennial
Commission about way-finding and interpretive signage for both Lincoln cabins at Freeman Lake Park. The Tourism Bureau is
currently putting together a proposal for sign placement to submit to Warren in order to receive financial assistance from
the Bicentennial committee. Warren believes the Commission will grant 100% of the funds for interpretive signs for both the
Lincoln Heritage House and the Sarah Bush Johnston Lincoln Memorial Cabin, but the way-finding signs will only receive a partial
grant.
Additional Sesquicentennial Committee Members
Due to discussion arising from Tourism’s funding of the statute project,
the committee agreed that African-American representation on the committee was badly needed. Rev. Bishop, Tony Bishop, and
local NAACP Chairman, Allan Francis, were contacted for suggestions of volunteers but no one has come forth at this time.
After further discussion, D. Dee Shaw will ask Charlotte Beason if she would like to become a member of the committee. And
Sherry will follow-up with Allan Francis. She will also seek contact names from Bardstown’s Human Rights Commission.
The next committee meeting will be held on Monday, June 22nd
at the Hardin County History Museum.
Sherry Murphy
Executive Director
Elizabethtown Tourism and Convention Bureau
