Experience Shelbyville’s Past: A Narrated Historic Downtown Walking Tour
Date and Time:
October 29, 2026 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Events Location:
Shelby County Historical Society Museum, 627 Main Street, Shelbyville, KY, 40066, United States
About The Events
These tours were so popular we have added an after-hours walking tour!
Ever wondered who lived and worked in our historic downtown area in the past? In the heart of a county established in 1792 and named for our first and fifth governor, the city of Shelbyville sprang into existence and still maintains a historic district which represents many eras. The Shelby County Historical Society has recently updated a Historic Downtown Shelbyville Self-Guided Walking Tour brochure (funding provided in part by a grant from ShelbyKY Tourism) and has been offering narrated tours based on sites contained within the brochure, plus a few extras! The last tour of the year will be offered on October 29th from 6 – 7, and be given by Trace Kirkwood, Shelby County Historical Society President.
The narrated tour begins at the SCHS Museum, located at 627 Main St., where visitors may see the current “250 Years of Clothing in Shelby County, Kentucky” exhibit before the tour. We will have extended evening hours that day and be open to 6 pm – a great opportunity for anyone who cannot visit in the daytime, to do so after-hours. Perfect for an autumn evening stroll, a few sites could be considered a little spine tingling such as the building across the street from the museum, Layson Hall, constructed circa 1870 by Robert M. Layson for his undertaking business. You might make a stop at the former location of the Armstrong Hotel and learn about this site of a famous, highly scandalous murder in 1937. Go a little further and stop at the Shelbyville Fountain, erected in 1895. This is where a log blockhouse stood nearby that came under attack in 1864 by Confederate Cpt. Dave Martin and his gang. These are just a few of the stories you’ll learn about in our walking tour brochure.
The walking tour brochure is one of the SCHS’s 250th projects to celebrate America’s 250th birthday and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Brochures are available at the SCHS Museum located at 627 Main St. and various downtown businesses if you wish to take the self-guided tour at your leisure.
Tours are FREE. Registration not required, but strongly suggested. In case of inclement weather, tours will be cancelled. Register or find out more by calling (502) 513-5555 or emailing director@shelbykyhistory.org.
Celebrating 250 years of history in Shelby County, Kentucky!