This weekend, multiple local welcome centers will be featured sites as part of a summer promotion highlighting the Kentucky Lincoln Heritage Trail.
The welcome centers in Berea, Bullitt County, Christian County, Florence, Franklin, Grayson, Horse Cave, Paducah, Shelby County and Williamsburg will be highlighting the scenic driving route across central Kentucky comprising nearly 20 historic sites that in some way shaped the Lincoln legacy and influenced the president throughout his life.
As part of state and national Lincoln bicentennial celebrations, last year the Kentucky Heritage Council/State Historic Preservation Office reintroduced the trail. This summer, a 16-week campaign is underway to promote the trail and honor the 16th President.
On Saturday, the first 16 visitors to the designated welcome centers will receive a Lincoln-related prize – a new, specially packaged Lincoln penny commemorating the bicentennial.
Other special events planned this summer include a community day and open house August 15 at the Judge Joseph Holt House in Breckinridge County, when that location will be the featured Kentucky Lincoln Heritage Trail site. Judge Holt served as Judge Advocate General under President Lincoln and also presided over the trial of the Lincoln conspirators following his assassination. Judge Holt’s home was recently acquired by the county through a Kentucky Heritage Council Lincoln preservation project grant, funded by the Kentucky Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, and also named a Legacy Project of Kentucky’s bicentennial celebration by the commission.
The Kentucky Lincoln Heritage Trail is a project of the Kentucky Heritage Council in partnership with the Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, Kentucky Department of Travel and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Remaining trail sites to be featured throughout the summer promotion are:
July 11: Farmington Historic Plantation, Louisville
July 18: Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate, Lexington
July 25: Old Fort Harrod State Park, Harrodsburg
August 1: Kentucky State Capitol, Frankfort
August 15: Judge Joseph Holt House (stamp site - Breckinridge County Courthouse)
August 22: Whitehall State Historic Site, Richmond
August 29: Sarah Bush Johnston Lincoln Memorial Cabin, Elizabethtown
September 4: The Lincoln Museum and Lincoln Statue, Hodgenville
Information about stamp locations and hours is available at the Kentucky Heritage Council Web site,
http://www.heritage.ky.gov/. Trailgoers are also invited to upload their photos to share at the Kentucky Lincoln Heritage Trail flickr site,
www.flickr.com/photos/kentuckylincoln/
