Museum and Alhambra adjusting operations to state coronavirus rules

While events are on hold for at least a few weeks, both of the downtown institutions will keep their gift shops open.

The Pennyroyal Area Museum and the Alhambra Theatre are temporarily shifting operations in response to Gov. Andy Beshear’s announcement of new, mandatory restrictions aimed at curbing the surge in coronavirus cases. 

Beginning today, the museum’s exhibit hall will be closed to visitors, while The Vault museum shop will remain open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, executive director Alissa Keller said. Two exceptions are Saturday, Nov. 21, and Thanksgiving Day, when the shop will be closed.

The museum is at 217 E. Ninth St. 

“In the meantime, keep up with us on Facebook,” Keller said. “We have some fun virtual things planned.”

Keller tentatively plans to reopen the museum exhibit gallery on Dec. 15.

At the Alhambra, tonight’s concert with Casey James has been postponed with an intention to reschedule in 2021. An open house to introduce the release of a cookbook, “Let Us Entertain You,” has been canceled, but there are still several options to buy the cookbooks. 

Anyone who bought tickets for the Save Our Stage concert featuring Casey James should keep them while details are worked out for a new date. The Pennyroyal Arts Council, which manages the downtown theater, told ticket-holders their purchases will be transferred, so no action is needed. 

Meanwhile, the arts council’s cookbook will be available to purchase beginning Thanksgiving week.

Arts council marketing director Becky Green said the cookbook and other Alhambra merchandise will be available during special hours for the Save Our Stage holiday shop — 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, and 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24 and Wednesday, Nov. 25.

After Thanksgiving, the shop will be open during regular business hours — 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. 

The cookbook can be pre-ordered and picked up curbside, as well, with designated parking in front of the theater at 507 S. Main St. The price is $30.

In addition, several local businesses are selling the cookbook. Those are Gracious Me!, Casey Jones Distillery, MB Roland Distillery, Milkweed Health and Harmony Emporium, Farmer’s Daughter, Pennyroyal Area Museum, Hancock’s Market, Juanita’s Beauty Salon, Hopkinsville-Christian County Convention and Visitors Bureau and Staton’s Art & Framing.

(Jennifer P. Brown is the editor and co-founder of Hoptown Chronicle. Reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org.)

Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. She spent 30 years as a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition.