Featured in the Danville Advocate

I would like to give a big shout out to Jennifer Brummett at the Danville Advocate for doing such a nice job with the release of our new book. All information in this article is copyright Danville Advocate and Jennifer Brummett.

Bobbi Dawn Rightmyer and Anna Armstrong traveled a circuitous route to get to the publication of their first book together, “Images of America: Harrodsburg.” The pictorial history of Harrodsburg will be released Monday from Arcadia Publishing, which is based out of Mount Pleasant, S.C., outside of Charleston.

Rightmyer’s daughter was friends with the acquisitions editor for Arcadia Publishing, who approached Rightmyer for a book about Owen County. Rightmyer said she didn’t know anything about Owen County but she knew Harrodsburg. That started her on the path to developing a book about Harrodsburg.

Rightmyer said she’d known Armstrong all her life and was aware of her extensive collection of photos of Harrodsburg that date from the 1930s, with some older ones, as well. She sent an e-mail to Armstrong — an e-mail Armstrong never received. So Rightmyer went ahead and signed a contract with Arcadia to do the historical book, figuring she’d get photos from the local historical society. “I signed the contract with no idea of how to write a history book,” Rightmyer explained. In the meantime, Armstrong had been in contact with Arcadia about a postcard she was interested in creating.

“I have a huge archive of photos from my father (Andrew Armstrong), my aunt (Jesta Bell Armstrong Matherly, who also was an artist) and my work,” Armstrong said. She found out about Rightmyer’s work on a book about Harrodsburg, and wondered what she was using for the photographic element, since her own collection of Harrodsburg photos is unparalleled. Rightmyer said she was thrilled when Armstrong called, and the two got together to discuss the book, which was when they figured out Rightmyer’s e-mail hadn’t made it to its recipient.

“I decided to offer the photographs in order for the book to happen,” Armstrong said. She also had experience with writing historical descriptions, as she’d provided the text for a number of historical markers. Rightmyer said she found that experience invaluable, as she considers herself to be more of a “long writer,” focusing more on essays and longer written works.

Armstrong described “Images of America: Harrodsburg” as a “show-andtell” type of a book. The co-authors indicated such a work was needed in Harrodsburg, since the city lacked a recent, updated history-type book. Armstrong said the tome will be a good companion for people who are touring the city.

“It’s one of the first things I look for (when visiting a new place),” Rightmyer added. “It gives me an idea of where I’m at and what I’m doing.”

She added she hopes “Images of America: Harrodsburg” will inspire others “to get this history out there.”

Armstrong said the postcard pictorial history of Harrodsburg and Mercer County should be released about this time next year. The vintage postcards she will use will date through the 1960s.

Images of America: Harrodsburg

Soon to be released from Arcadia Publishing is Images of America: Harrodsburg, written by Harrodsburg’s Bobbi Dawn Rightmyer (writer) and Anna Armstrong (photography). The book will be released the week of August 8th, but is already up for pre-order on several different websites:

• Amazon
• Barnes and Noble
• Arcadia

As of this moment, we are not sure when the book launch and signing will be, but we will keep you up-to-date.

Here is an excerpt from Images of America: Harrodsburg:

“Harrodsburg is the oldest permanent settlement west of the Allegheny Mountains and was founded in 1774 by James Harrod. Images of America: Harrodsburg covers the city limits from the late 1770s to the early 1960s and provides over 220 images from the Armstrong Collection, the Harrodsburg Historical Society, the Mercer County Public Library and the Kentucky Historical Society. Within these pages, experience and explore Harrodsburg during the pivotal era at the beginning of the great commonwealth – from the settlement of Old Fort Harrod to the “Saratoga of the West” mineral springs and spas. Follow the growth, hard times, and recovery of Harrodsburg, including government and growing businesses, advancements in education, the rise of religious institutions, and local and visiting celebrities. These well-preserved photographs from the entrepreneurs, grand openings, and expert news reporting all the reader to step back in time.”

Sorry for the shameless promotion, but this is a wonderful book about Harrodsburg - the oldest permanent settlement in Kentucky. Please try to buy a copy! This will also be great for tourist who will be visiting our area on vacations.

History in your Backyard

How many times have you driven down College Street (HWY 127) in Harrodsburg and passed Old Fort Harrod State Park? Have you ever noticed the historic two-story home (now the Mansion Museum), located on the south side of the Park, has two front doors? One door faces College Street and the other faces Curry Avenue. These front entrances even have two different architectural features.

The families who lived there were as interesting as their home. If you would like to learn more about your 1800’s neighbors and take an architectural tour of this unique home, join the Park for “Tea with the Taylors” on Sunday afternoon, July 24thfrom 2:00 – 4:00pm.


In fact, add to the atmosphere by dressing in period clothing (1810-1925). Modern dress is also acceptable with an anticipated donation for an enjoyable afternoon.

There will be four “Teas with the Taylors” held monthly during the Park season. Each one will highlight more local history.

For more information, check the Fort Harrod website.

Louise Dean Poet Laureate Celebration

Poet Laureate Dean

Sunday was a huge day for Louise Isham Dean , and of course for the JHT. There was standing only with over 100 people in attendance for the ceremony. There were more folks stopping in through the afternoon buying books and wishing Louise congratulations. The agenda consisted of

An introduction from Chairman Helen Dedman

An opening prayer by JHT Treasurer Amalie Preston

Judge Executive Milward Dedman read the Poet Laureate Proclamation and presented it to Mrs. Dean.

Louise Dean accepted the plaque and read some of her poems

Book signing and refreshments

JHT membership business at 4:15

Closing

Mrs. Dean was in her element and stole the show with funny stories and her touching poems. All the theme cakes were from Custom Cakes on Main Street and were a huge success. The sale of the limited edition book of Louise's poems was nearly a sell out with only a few dozen copies left over for future distribution. Congratulations Louise on being named Poet Laureate of Mercer County.

Induction of Louise Isham Dean as Poet Laureate of Mercer County

Louise Dean Honored as Poet Laureate of Mercer County

Please join the James Harrod Trust as we honor Louise Isham Dean as Poet Laureate of Harrodsburg/Mercer County. This event will be held at the Mercer County Public Library, 109 West Lexington Street in Harrodsburg, KY 40330. Times will be from 2:30 until 4:30pm. There will be a collectible and limited edition book with some of Mrs. Dean's favorite poems available for sale. This event is free and open to the public. All are encouraged to attend. Light refreshments will be served. Please come and attend this event and enjoy some of the readings from one of Mercer County's best known poets.

Please call 859.734.7829 for more information.

Fountain Bleu

Fountain Bleu:

Some board members of the James Harrod Trust were invited by owner Pat Davis to come to the historic Fountain Bleu farm a few days ago. This was a brainstorming session to determine what course of actions needs to be taken with the emergency stabilizing of this incredible property. We were very pleased to see first hand this Federal 1816 - 1817 Mercer County landmark. This was one of the first five land grants that were written for the state of Kentucky in the last quarter of the 18th century.

Family-history workshop focused on KHS cemetery preservation

Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet

CONTACT: Laura Coleman at Laura.Coleman@ky.gov or call 502-564-1792

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 1, 2011)— The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) and the Kentucky Genealogical Society (KGS) will host a free family-history workshop focused on KHS cemetery preservation resources from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 9 at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History in downtown Frankfort.

Ann Johnson, KHS cemetery preservation program coordinator, will discuss KHS resources available to family historians and cemetery preservationists. These resources include tracking databases, advice on legal issues governing property and descendant rights, stone cleaning and rubbing techniques and cemetery mapping practices.

“It is important to have local groups and individuals who are committed to finding ways to research, rescue and save small cemeteries in their counties, along with family burial plots in larger cemeteries,” said Johnson.

The workshop will also feature Phil DiBlasi, staff archaeologist at the University of Louisville, who will discuss the use of GPS to document cemeteries. There will also be an on-site visit to Frankfort Cemetery for a stone cleaning and GPS demonstration.

Following the close of each Family-History Workshop, at 1:45 p.m. the Kentucky Technology in Genealogy Users Group offers a free program to help support family-history researchers’ use and understanding of technology as it applies to genealogy.

Presented by KHS and KGS, the free Family-History Workshop series takes place each month at the Center for Kentucky History. Topics range from how to begin documenting your ancestry to specialized resources for experienced genealogists. If requested at the time of registration, an optional light lunch is available at a cost of $6, payable at the door.

To make a reservation, contact the KHS Reference Desk at 502-564-1792 or RefDesk@ky.gov. Registration for the April workshop is required before noon on Friday, April 8.

Learn more KHS genealogical resources at www.history.ky.gov.

An agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, the Kentucky Historical Society, established in 1836, is committed to helping people understand, cherish and share Kentucky's history. The KHS history campus includes the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, the Old State Capitol and the Kentucky Military History Museum at the Old State Arsenal. For more information about the Kentucky Historical Society and its programs, visit the website at www.history.ky.gov.