History Archives

Harriet Tubman led Civil War military raids as well as her better-known slave rescues

by Kate Clifford Larson
February 6, 2025

While her activities as a Civil War spy are less well known, her devotion to America and its promise of freedom endured despite suffering decades of enslavement and second-class citizenship.

Presidents Day program planned for Museum After Dark

by Hoptown Chronicle
February 3, 2025

Museum After Dark is a new program the Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County is offering outside of normal operating hours.

Who are the Odd Fellows? Hopkinsville’s connection to an international order

by Daniel Hurt
February 1, 2025

The Hopkinsville chapter, established in 1848, was once the wealthiest lodge in Kentucky.

Hopkinsville flour to the rescue: When a local mill fed Europe after WWII

by Alissa Keller
January 26, 2025

Flour from Hopkinsville Milling Co. was produced specifically for export to Europe in 1949 as part of the Marshall Plan.

Three heroes, 80 years ago this week, echo today

by Al Cross
January 23, 2025

The three Americans all fought in France in January 1945. One soon died of his wounds, another found fame and fortune, and the other’s heroism was almost unknown until after his death.

Brick & Mortar Monthly: A game of historical telephone

by Grace Abernethy
January 19, 2025

It took Grace Abernethy months to find radiators for the old Dalton house, but in the process she also chased down a mystery about a local telephone company.

History on Tap: A night for Odd Fellows

by Hoptown Chronicle
January 11, 2025

Brett Pritchett will lead the Jan. 30 program on the history of one of Hopkinsville's fraternal organizations.

‘Saturday Sleuths’ is new children’s program at Hopkinsville museum

by Hoptown Chronicle
January 8, 2025

On the last Saturday of each month, participants can become detectives and help solve a history mystery at the museum.

Brick & Mortar Monthly: Ghosts of Seventh Street past

by Grace Abernethy
December 29, 2024

Nearly half of the old homes that stood within the boundaries of the East Seventh Street Historic District when it was designated in 1983 are now gone. But columnist Grace Abernethy still sees reason to hope for the revival of areas like her neighborhood.

All the museum wants for Christmas: Artifacts from merchants of old

by Alissa Keller
December 16, 2024

Staff members at the Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County are hoping Santa's local elves will dig through attics to find merchandise from some of the community's signature businesses.

A Kentucky chaplain exhorted sailors to ‘Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition’

by Berry Craig
December 7, 2024

The “ripsnorting battle hymn of the Navy” was inspired by Chaplain Howell Forgy, 34, who left the pulpit at Murray First Presbyterian Church to join the Navy in 1940.

Mechanical horse conjures strong memories of Hopkinsville’s past

by Alissa Keller
November 18, 2024

The horse housed at the Cayce-Yost department store gave rides to children for more than four decades.